Kokanee Fishing Myths That Won't Go Away

[@johnmccready6752]

Canadian here. I live at the start of the Adam's River on Adam's Lake BC. We have one of the largest sockeye runs on the west coast here. I can attest to sockeye spawning in the lake. If there is gravel they are spawning on it. I have been a fan of your videos for awhile now. Thank-you for helping me up my game in so many ways. I would be curious to see one of those kokanee feeding on chironomids that you throat pumped as I tie all my own flies and it would be a hoot to catch a kokanee on a fly I tied.

[@L3Dhelpguide]

I caught several kokanee at Yale with juvenile kokanee tails sticking out of there mouths...so not filter feeding....lol cannibalistic...yes

[@dave8772]

The “soft mouth” myth certainly is the one I’ve encountered the most. The rapid-fire head shakes combined with the ability to often out-swim our reeling speed is a pretty good recipe for escape. The most humorous honorable mention I’ve heard was that of a self-described “guide” who posted that kokanee prefer shoepeg corn to other varieties because of its relatively high sugar content. I’ve not yet unearthed the supporting data that would inspire me to honey-dip my corn.

[@Mark-trosusa]

Agree 100% especially about snubbers!

[@taco472]

When I first started trolling for Kokanee I hadn’t heard I needed ‘special gear’ or had to do it ‘this’ or ‘that way’, I just used my trout gear (6-7’ glass rod w/8-10# mono) and caught fish. First thing I learned was I had to use a snubber, I hadn’t really lost fish but ok, I used one sometimes. Don’t remember losing many fish. Then I decided to get into Kokanee fishing, 7-8’ special ‘Kokanee Rods’ (which are very limber), small line-counter reels w/15-20# braid. I run a 18-24” 12-15# floro bumper to my dodger and 12# Floro on what ever lure I’ve tied. I would now say my landing ratio is about 80-95 %, which I don’t think is bad , I’m not complaining. After listening to you on this video I don’t think my soft rods are setting the hooks like my old trout gear here’s why. Remembering some fish I have recently lost they just came off, they were there then they were gone. They didn’t come off in a big jump or pull, one minute they were there and then they’re gone. You’re right, I don’t believe the hook was ever really set. Thanks for all the info on your videos.

[@timmoore9736]

The fish, if one ever takes the time to look, have a bony like jaw - soft mouths my foot! While trying to land one, net out, I have seen them turn 180 degrees within their own length. Any fish that active and moving that aggressively is more likely to throw a hook than a bass or a trout. As gear - including hooks - has improved, I suspect that the myth of soft mouth comes from 50 years ago or more. And I have been fishing longer than that.

[@395glen]

Not really a Kokanee myth but rather a sockeye myth and a lot of times all salmon myth. “Since adult salmon stop feeding in freshwater they do not bite so flossing is the only way to catch them” I especially see this a lot for Alaskan sockeye fishermen but have heard it in Washington as well for other salmon.

[@jacobpaul5862]

I don’t know if it’s just me but I swear Kokanee (and sockeye) can swim in the air when ever the net comes out 😂

[@spiltmilt]

Truth. Butt rockets for sure

[@MyExRebirth]

As you said they're migrating to rivers and creeks during spawning times, but I've never seen a video of anyone fishing for kokanee in a river! It would be an interesting video!

[@spiltmilt]

An oldie but a goodie kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXbYdJeQfJaDgdk

[@FEAR_DaCoachYT]

Do a lake Ponderay video please

[@glennbooher4298]

I am so glad that you posted this video I have been so on the same page for decades on your first myth. With all of the selective fisheries relating to ocean-run fish like Steelhead or Salmon, the no-bait rule does not make sense. The scientific community says they do not feed once entering freshwater but I have made 10 drifts with no bait and then put on a piece of shrimp and caught 2 or 3 fish in a row on successive drifts. It makes a difference a huge difference. What am I missing or what is the game dept. point of view on this? The selective fisheries that I am talking about have nothing to do with any other fish species like "bull trout" just salmon and steelhead. Also on the upper Columbia where I fish, there are marked and unmarked fish not necessarily wild or hatchery. I had a very poor bite-to-landing ratio during the Sockeye season so I tried snubbers and they did not help I like the no snubber thought also I caught more Sockeye with a shorter stiff rod light tip facing back at a 45-degree angle with the tip closer to the water. Keep doing what you do I see your logic and appreciate it. In my life, I have figured out the puzzle of different fisheries over the years just to have the fish change the rules:) Adapt or stay on the couch.

[@patrickromano1876]

They ban bait because fish are more likely to get hooked lethally with bait since they are more likely to swallow it deep. They also ban bait because they don’t actually want you to catch any fish.

[@stingray4540]

Thank you thank you thank you for addressing “they strike out of aggression, they don’t eat”. If that was the case, color wouldn’t matter, bait wouldn’t matter, and scent wouldn’t matter. I could fish with one rig and catch fish as long as I keep it in their face and annoy them enough.

[@scottkennedy1089]

LMAO, those are all myths that I have heard for years and until now, I would have been spreading them to others. Thank you Tyler for pulling my head out of my "A$$". I knew snubbers were a waist of time but than you for clarifying the other "Kokanee Garbage".

[@roberthamilton6836]

Do Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum, Pink, Kokanee and any others not listed have similar feeding habits when it comes to a full moon?

[@silverseeker-oregon]

Agree on all points.

[@Stittsy1963]

That was entertaining and informative too! 😊

[@glennbooher4298]

Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

You bet!

[@billnoerenberg6166]

Enjoyed this video. Have you made a video on bait vs no bait ?

[@spiltmilt]

No but it would be like making a video of me dropping an apple to prove that gravity works. I already know the result

[@TwoStageTrigger]

I was told that kokes eat plankton and the doger and squid just piss them off into biting. But it never made much sense. I've never ripped off their lips, and snobbery dont help me keep fish either. My setup is really not great for kokanee. 2 medium action ugly stick striper rods, 20lb flour with a 6oz dropper weight on a sinker slider. 6lb test on all my hoochies/micro shrimp.

[@spiltmilt]

Try a heavier line for your leader. You'll get more action on your hoochies with a stiffer material = more bites.

[@TwoStageTrigger]

@@spiltmilt ill try that.

[@steveliske220]

Agreed, regarding your aggression strikes myth. It seems to me that the impact from a full moon (reduced action following a full moon) is further evidence that fish strikes are from feeding (hungry) fish, not aggression strikes. Otherwise, why would a full moon have an impact on aggression strikes?

[@robbysmusic8507]

Yes yes yes , i agree .

[@fishon111]

I landed 2 kokanee this year that came off the hook just as I got the net under them that had their lower jaw torn in half. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say their mouths weren't ripped apart before I hooked them. Never had a trout do that.

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve landed 1000’s of Kokanee never ripped one’s jaw off. 😂 LMAO

[@fishon111]

@@spiltmilt Haha this is my first year fishing Kokanee and it happened twice. They were small, only 10 or so inches but thrashing wildly.

[@kevinenos7941]

​I believe as the fish grow their mouths get tougher. A lot of the smaller kokanee in my lake when caught get their lower jaws ripped through. As they get bigger that doesn't happen. ​@@spiltmilt

[@BennettBuilt-yu2gw]

I've had this happen as well on more than few occasions. But as fishon111 said they were in the 8-10in range, they are in fact fragile when they are small. Larger kokanee we have never had this issue.

[@iwwqytv]

The Kokanee in the lake near me are small as well, and I've landed fish with tears in the flesh next to the jaw. It happens.

[@MrAcuta73]

As far as the aggression/feeding thing...I actually feel it's something in the middle. Making something smell good to them is going to increase feeding desire, something that looks/feels (lateral line) like other fish eating lots of yummy things increases aggression. The good old thing about fish trying to eat food out of the mouths of other fish, which they do regularly. So on that one? Not calling it a myth, but calling it short sighted. And yeah, I think pretty much EVERY fish is an opportunistic feeder. It just makes sense. Strain plankton passively...grab a big morsel if it's dumb enough to be close at hand. I definitely feel there are a LOT of moving parts as to why or why not a fish chooses to strike a lure or bait. I very much agree about modern light wire hooks and using 2 of them makes a huge difference in landing fish, snubbers...yeah, snake oil. Except MAAAYBE with gang trolls. Cowbells and Ford Fenders completely load the rod on their own, and Kokanee DO have soft mouths (hooks rip through pretty easily). Though yeah, the normal little short snubbers probably don't do much. My Dad always made his own when I was a kid and trolling massive flashers was a thing.....they were a foot long, probably close to double that fully stretched. And, probably, having a boat full of kids that were ass about keeping the line tight probably played into that. LOL

[@no_regerts5176]

I’ve never used snubbers.

[@macsmith2092]

I caught a limit (15) of kokanee last sunday on the surface. Surface water temp was 69 degrees. I saw very few on sonar, but there was a ton of them on the surface. Not really a myth debunked, I'm just saying they arent always in 52 degree water temp. Thanks. Good video.

[@spiltmilt]

For sure they will forage in water well outside their comfort range.

[@chubbrock659]

Ive heard Kokanee are like the chuck norris of fish, and can sneeze with their eyes open.

[@alexandersheets1]

I have a question, we have had some crazy weather here in western washington, so I'm assuming the lakes are pretty stirred up. Some of the kokanee pages I follow show pictures of kokanee that look like their mouths are starting to change in preparation for spawning. My dad and I are heading out friday to chase some kokanee. Any idea where they could be at this point in the year with the weather we've had? It's my first time since being educated by your videos!

[@spiltmilt]

They will be moving towards their spawning areas and staging at dropoffs and creek inlets.

[@rustycompassadventures]

Question regarding the lead dropper rig setups you have used. Where on earth do you purchase the cannonball weights?! I can never find them anywhere!

[@spiltmilt]

Right here amzn.to/4dEqiBq

[@rustycompassadventures]

@@spiltmilt thank you!

[@joshrestad1701]

You think American shad are feeding when they are in the river? Would bait help your hookup rate?

[@spiltmilt]

I don't know if bait would make much difference. They are already so easy to catch.

[@Fishing_Rod_Engineer]

I have always heard the myth that you can't catch Kokonee on fly rods. This is not true as we catch them all the time fly fishing at Paulina Lake in Central Oregon. It would be cool to see you try to catch a few on the fly.

[@spiltmilt]

Def not a myth I've heard. The BC Kokanee guys catch a ton on the fly in the spring and they are easy to catch on the fly when running in their spawning rivers

[@chirpinsquirrel8710]

Is it true that they glow?

[@daveintheburg]

Only if they're plugged in.....

[@spiltmilt]

No bioluminescent Kokanee I'm afraid.

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@daveklumb6798]

Why would we fish Kokanee when they're spawning and have eggs

[@spiltmilt]

For a lot of folks stuck on the bank its their only real chance to catch Kokanee. Surprisingly a lot folks enjoy eating them at this stage.

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

Phew, I thought you might try to tell us that kokanee AREN’T actually hybrid salmonids crossbred between walleye and king salmon. I’m so tired of the ignorance circling around out there denying the science. 😏

[@patrickromano1876]

I agree they are eating and bait is very important but that does not mean they are feeding. Salmon in rivers are not feeding yet scent and bait makes a massive difference.

[@spiltmilt]

Oh boy. Salmon in rivers aren’t feeding? I guess they just chomp down on those massive egg clusters out of anger then?

[@patrickromano1876]

@@spiltmilt I think it’s complex because they may be trying to feed but biologically cannot at that life stage. Therefore I would say it is a “feeding reaction”. There are also lots of other theories why salmon eat eggs like trying to move them or eliminate competition but I don’t subscribe to any theory as nobody really knows.