Kokanee Fishing: Does Leader Length Matter?

I have always maintained that shorter leaders are superior to longer leaders when fishing lures behind dodgers for Kokanee. I decided to put that hypothesis to the test running identical gear one with a short leader and another with a longer leader to see which prevailed.
For more info on the Old Topwater 120 PDL kayak featured in this video click here: For more information and specs please visit bit.ly/tw120pdl...
Tackle featured in this video:
Swate Blueback : bit.ly/2Jtdd2K
Daiwa Lexa 100 LC: amzn.to/2XfAQUx
Maxima 10 lb Ultragreen: amzn.to/2ZVYfqY
Kokanee dodgers and lures used in this video are made by Paulina Peak Tackle: paulinapeaktac...
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[@kayakangler7683]

It seems kokanee fishing is a game of small variable changes. I surmise that if you repeated this experiment 10x or 20x, the results would vary, even day to day. I can't count the number of times that a specific lure or color worked amazingly well one day, but then barely produced results the next. I think this speaks to the idea of running different setups (leader length, lure, colors, bait, dodger, depth, etc) until you find out what the fish prefer for that specific day. Beautiful lake! Hope to make it back there one day. The Topwater 120 looks like a great kayak.

[@spiltmilt]

Indeed you are correct. To me the great joy of Kokanee fishing is tinkering with the variables continuously until you get the desired outcome. Some days they will hit anything other days they are fickle beasts.

[@MrAcuta73]

Was gonna post basically what you did. On an easy day, I think an old boot might fill the boat. It's the tough days that count in that regard. Varying presentation til you find something they'll hit.

[@alanj1643]

might just be random and any leader could work the same

[@isaacmann3852]

Your test went one way, but I went from 24 inch leaders down to 9-10 inch leaders and my results went right through the roof. I will only run 9-10 inch leaders behind my dodgers now. I think the action really helped my fishing especially when combined with all your other rules for not sucking.

[@spiltmilt]

I typically run 6-8" leaders to this day

[@bradyfarley1463]

I would like to see an extension of this experiment by trying it at different times of the year in different water temps.

[@shanelyon1986]

Great video. I usually go about 12" on a hootchie rig, just always feels like a happy medium.

[@seattlefishing4240]

I do a lot of fishing in Puget Sound trolling for small resident coho. I am using a size 1 gold star dodger and a 22" leader. I cannot speak to the types of dodgers you are using. With the type I am using it is my firm belief that not all dodgers are created equal, even with the exact same size color and manufacturer. When I buy a dozen I will usually find 6 to 8 that catch fish, a couple that are complete duds, and one or two exceptional fish catchers. I see the same thing in salmon trolling plugs. Once identified I mark them and sometimes even give them a name. I am very protective of my favorites. Each time I use one I take a chance that it will be lost. When fishing is good I don't need to take that risk to get a limit. When fishing is very tough one single setup may get 80% of the catch, or more, even against identical setups.

[@thomassmestead6424]

On the lake that I troll the most, I'm running wedding rings of a certain color and configuration, primarily using leadcore line, (18 in. test ).My absolute shortest leader length I use is one foot, and the maximum length is 18 inches behind Shasta sling blades. Results vary. Some days the short leader works, others, a longer setback works. But I'm not fishing from a kayak, and my boat is much more roomy and stable than my kayak. More convenient in a kayak to go with a shorter leader, I think.

[@bennynotti6175]

So good you can prove yourself wrong and admit it.....another great informative video! Thank You!

[@kevinbordeaux4831]

I have found that 8-11" works pretty good in most oregon lakes Speed is important as well as water temp. 54.6°f seems to bring out the bigger biters in the school...

[@garyroenicke2102]

Thanks for the test, very interesting. I usually use longer leaders, 18-24”. A friend of mine who is into the fly industry uses short leaders and doesn’t do any better than we do. I’m sure each Lake and each day is different when you target these fish who can be finicky at times

[@nicksenones205]

these are my favorite videos when you compare a certain factor, everything the same except x factor.. ie same rod reel dodger except leader length, or another one you did, drop shot hooks vs octopus hooks.

[@codygray7791]

I have pretty good success with a total distance of 10- 12" from base of flasher to first part of hoochie. Thanks for the videos!

[@rickstephens6795]

Hey Tyler, yup, surprised. I like 8-9 inch. Watching, I wondered if a stiffer leader material wouldn't transfer a bit more action to your long leader and at least satisfy your inner struggle :^) Thanks for another great video.

[@corneliovalencia3863]

I think this is awesome! leaning from your own very well ran experiment. GREAT JOB!

[@johnstack4316]

I would like to thank you for making such great videos. You are by far my favorite fishing guy on KZbin. All your video are so easy to follow and man can you catch fish 🐟. Some people just have a way of explaining things so well and that's you for sure. I live near Hunter's Washington and your lake Roosevelt videos are the best. I would be honored to fish with you anytime.

[@spiltmilt]

Thanks John.

[@thecoulsons2430]

Love the videos. Hope to be able to fish with you one day.

[@stankfaust814]

HOLY SMOKES! what an awesome service you provide to your fellow nerdy fishermen who find this exact type of thing fascinating! And good on you for being so even handed with letting the results be what they were. You must have a science background?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes I am ecologist/statistician

[@stankfaust814]

@@spiltmilt yep, only a scientist can be excited by whatever the results are, even if they contradict the hypothesis. Great stuff. I've been binge watching a bit, I have an 11 year old boy who needs to go kokanee fishing.

[@practicedm]

Awesome stuff. I try to run the same type of tests trolling and bank fishing. Thanks for your video. I alway learn something to try down in SoCal and eastern Sierras

[@jh606]

I think it depends on the day. I find some days they want a lot of action, and some days a little more subtle. Thanks for the videos, really enjoy them. If you ever get to Colorado try out Blue Mesa, its got some monsters.

[@spiltmilt]

I completely agree.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Nice test. Definitely counter to what I thought.

[@FishingWithAlexS]

Interesting. I went out once and lost 4 Kokanee. Can’t wait to go back out again. New to koke fishing

[@spiltmilt]

They are really fun fish once you figure them out.

[@hectorhinojosa5168]

LMAO!!! I hadn't seen this video. That being said since I started fishing for kokes 6 years ago I started with a 16 inch leader & when i discovered your channel 4 years ago I've been paying attention to your teachings. So my leaders with a dodger have been shrinking considerably. I fish a small high mountain lake named Shaver Lake here in California & it receives considerable amount of pressure during the summer months. And 5 fish limits of 16 to 21 inch kokes are the norm. But I love your channel. I've become a better kokanne angler from you videos!

[@spiltmilt]

Shaver is an impressive lake with beautiful Kokanee.

[@sandwich.520]

You sir are a scientist.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes I am (in real life too!!!)

[@AllTheHobbies]

Great experiment. Results do seem conclusive but it still a pretty small sample size. You could run this same test a few more times just to make sure.

[@spiltmilt]

I agree. Replication is key.

[@cgyotoku]

I like to keep my leader length for kokanee about 2.5 X the dodger length. So for a 4 inch dodger, about 10 in leader.

[@crowman5936]

That's been the instructions in every package of Dodgers and Flashers on leader length.

[@genecrowston4064]

@@crowman5936 Kerry?

[@tyjo44]

I'm surprised as well! I was under the same impression as you where I prefer short leaders especially on squid set ups. 18" is probably my average on spinner set ups. Thanks for sharing!

[@daveengstrom9250]

You do a great job here and I learned a little. But, I am 70 years old and I could not fish in that kayak with everything behind me like you do. I can't turn around like that any more.

[@jacobmahoney6764]

Awesome videos! You are doing great work explaining your experiences and techniques! Thank you!

[@tommybradford4242]

When I lived in WA fishing for salmon in sekiu I would make my leader length about 1.5 -2 length of My flashers

[@jimalbrecht8803]

Great video. I love these comparison videos that you do. My only criticism would be that the (so called) music you play is too loud, which causes me to turn down the volume, and then when you do say something, I cannot hear what you say. Please use your music as a background, and your vocal mike, as forefront, so we can hear your input while the, (IMHO fake music, created by computer), is playing... lol. 😀👍

[@BC-ue3ku]

You had em dialed in out there!

[@tomking8597]

I’m still learning. But if the lure has its own action I go 2 ft. If not I go 2 dodger lengths. But nothing is measured and sometimes my 2 ft is shorter than other times. 🤪

[@ralphstarks3309]

Awesome test. So many variables to catching kokanee. Do you ever measure temp at certain depths? And if so, what do you use to get that temperature? Thanks . Love your videos. I just started kokanee fishing. Love learning along the way watching your videos.

[@jeremybinz9888]

I was taught that if your lure had no action, you wanted the leader at 2x the length of your Dodger. If the lure had action, then it was 4x the length of the dodger

[@montanaoutdoors6217]

I know I'm late here..but have you continued this test? Where I fish we run about 18" leaders with spin glows.. tipped with corn on one hook and maggots on the other.. we usually get 15-20 fish with 2 rods in 3 hours....2 man limits basically...I'd like to experiment but I should experiment some day

[@Christof60]

Great Vid as usual. Have you ever tried even longer leaders? I have always used pretty long leaders for Kokes and Rainbows, usually 3 1/2-4 ft long, no weight, and a 0000 chrome dodger. And I have always hit more fish than the people I see fishing around me with heavy tackle or downriggers. I will have to try an 18-24" leader and see how that works. Will be hitting Rufus Woods in a week, so hopefully I will be able to see just how long a leader can be and still hit fish. Keep up the great work!

[@spiltmilt]

I've run really long leaders on lures like the Brad's Kokanee Cut Plugs and Pro Troll Kokanee Killers with success.

[@kayinrolland]

Maybe this is a testament to location, depth and speed. When you get those things right, what else matters? Does a dodger even matter at that point?

[@spiltmilt]

Of course a dodger matters. Its the primary attractor.

[@dwayneivie3350]

here in Southern Utah the three lake it mostly rainbows and cut throuts and some tiger trout, i use a 18" leader, is that about right. Love your video's

[@davidk2137]

Another great test. What mainline are you using? Is the Maxima 10 lb. Ultragreen your leader line?

[@jonsoon8949]

Hi I just want to say that I enjoy watching your productions. Can you also tell us again how far back do you leave your lure. Having a trolling motor might require longer distances. Your thoughts please. Thanks in advance.

[@spiltmilt]

Combustion motors I usually recommend 60' setback at a minimum

[@Jarom.M]

What about early season vs late season? Would there be a difference in leader preference? Water clarity a factor? Additional testing required. Hopefully you'll get out more and film more. Win/Win :D

[@spiltmilt]

It may vary by day or by season. The main point I wanted to drive home is that we as kokanee anglers need to try changing things up even when we seem to be doing well because you never know what might work better.

[@martinchen3838]

I use 10-12 inches but my effort is split between lakes with landlocked coho and kokanee.

[@FougereFamilyAdventures]

Another great video! I tend to run longer leaders here in Canada most of the year. I love how you compared leader lengths using the same gear. What time of the year did you film this? I generally use longer leaders early in the season. I use 20-24" leaders on average.

[@spiltmilt]

This was filmed in late summer.

[@FougereFamilyAdventures]

@@spiltmilt interesting 🤔

[@yourplayin]

First off, love the channel. Question: in a previous video you talk about the migration of Kokanee. Would you expect Kokanee would be further towards the dam on a reservoir like Yale during the winter months and early spring before moving up the reservoir ?

[@spiltmilt]

The opposite. Kokanee prefer to go with the flow. During spring run off fish should concentrate on the lower end of the lake and as flows decrease they will spread back out over the summer months.

[@andyhiebert1674]

12 to 14 depending on the lure.

[@northforklures275]

So what is your recommendation for leader length for spinners/ micro hoochies etc.? Great video I run my leaders a little longer and am thinking about shortening them a bit. I run my hoochies at like 16 and spinners at approx 20 inches

[@spiltmilt]

Generally I prefer shorter leaders for hoochie, 6 to 8". Spinners 8-12".

[@thomassmestead2801]

Since I use wedding rings the most, I prefer a longer leader.

[@Badkharma21]

if you compare the proportions, i do not think it would be significantly different. You almost have to repeat this over different attempts under different conditions.

[@panchopachangas4450]

Tyler have you done the same comparison with Rainbows?

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve not but a great idea

[@lauriepopp9579]

Wondering if you have any videos fishing the Dworshak for Kokanee?

[@spiltmilt]

I don’t sorry. I’ve fished it a few times down by the dam and always find quick limits of small fish

[@ryanbarton6739]

Try it again one rod with 3x dodger length and the other with 3-4 foot length. iv noticed iv landed more of larger fish with a longer leader and less with shorter

[@ryanbarton6739]

Mind you the larger fish are cutthroat's

[@medievalfoot]

I also wonder which length is more consistent? Like over multiple trips.

[@spiltmilt]

Generally shorter out performs most trips.

[@medievalfoot]

On your hoochie for the 6-8 inch leaders do you have smile blade or spinning blades on them?

[@spiltmilt]

No blades.

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

How much would you shorten a leader on an apex kokanee killer? I do OK with them right out of the package but with their erratic action I'm not sure how short to go

[@spiltmilt]

I keep those around 14-16”

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

@@spiltmilt wow that short? I also read you've done well with the protroll kokanee killers at 3.5 to 4 ft which is basically right out of the package.....I can't figure out how to tie the double hook rigs so I've been loathing cutting them down....just have to cut 2 down and try next week The boy and I are going back up to the Cariboo Thanks for the reply so quickly....loving your road trip

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@andrewm6666]

A real scientist would fudge their results.

[@spiltmilt]

LOL

[@MrAcuta73]

Only if the "scientists" were hired by politicians to promote an agenda.

[@keithjohnson3969]

Can you explain the weight system you where using ?

[@spiltmilt]

I use a sliding weight rig on the mainline. This pegs against a bead chain placed 18-24" in front of the dodger. I explain and show it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHuoYXupnqiFes0

[@elbrus65]

Which rods are you using? Looks like Tica 8'0 ...

[@roytiller4537]

What kind of rod holders where you using on your kayak?

[@spiltmilt]

RAM Mounts RAM Rod HD. Use the code THICKS19 for a 10% discount on their website

[@michaelr4401]

Did you try conconully in 2020? Didn't see any reports from you there this year.

[@spiltmilt]

Two trips. Didn't touch a fish.

[@michaelr4401]

@@spiltmilt funny how that works, a lake I tried this year produced large Kokanee after nothing in recent years. I wonder what factors make such a large difference year over year.

[@troylass6402]

What line do you recommend for Kokanee? Thanks for the videos by the way, great info.

[@spiltmilt]

10 lb maxima ultragreen

[@troylass6402]

@@spiltmilt Thanks!

[@tedted2388]

Do you use lead core line at all when setting up your trolling rig?

[@spiltmilt]

I address that question in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoOuZmlqecp_Z7M

[@ihtus50]

how do you attach the weight to the line? is it sliding?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes I use a sliding weigh rig.

[@ihtus50]

@@spiltmilt thank you sir. If you got the rig online, could you provide a link please?

[@spiltmilt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHuoYXupnqiFes0 this ought to help

[@xfighter1117]

Not gonna lie I just eyeball it I’d say around 8-10”

[@troy4219]

What state are you in or does that not matter when Kokanee fishing

[@spiltmilt]

It doesnt matter but I live in WA state

[@dalenelson8679]

what lake you on

[@spiltmilt]

Conconully Reservoir

[@nvfishing2289]

How do i get the weight down to 70 feet?

[@spiltmilt]

5 or 6 oz at 100' will get there.

[@rickstephens6795]

A few ounces or a downrigger.

[@tmtallman]

@@spiltmilt what speed do you try to maintain to get 6oz / 100ft on line counter to get 70 feet deep?

[@landonf4066]

What lake is that?

[@spiltmilt]

Conconully

[@mattpinder2656]

What about a lure with its own action??? Say a wiggle hoochie

[@instantjizz]

I love using wobblers and spinners do you still use a short leader for thos too?

[@spiltmilt]

yes