Kokanee Fishing: Snap Weights vs Downriggers

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Having run a downrigger for a few years now I have to admit that more often than not my snap weights or sliding dropper weight rods tend to outfish my downrigger rods. I've long suspected the reason for this but wanted to put that hypothesis to the test. In this video I talk about my experiences Kokanee fishing with snap weights and downriggers and discuss when and why I think snap weights catch more fish.
Tackle featured in this video:
- Depth Table: spilt-milt-sto...
- Snaps: amzn.to/38c2tEz
- Assortment of Lead Free Weights are Great!: amzn.to/3MXmH3L
- Paulina Peak Big I Dodger 5.5" Glow w/pink stripe: paulinapeaktac...
- Paulina Peak Micro Minnow Indian Spinner Pink/Glow: paulinapeaktac...
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[@jimshull4691]

I just installed a Cannon downrigger on my 120 pdl using a V-loc mounting bracket and i can't wait to get out on the water to use it. Thanks for all the videos and information you've shared over the years. I really enjoy watching them and I've become a better angler because of you. Thanks!

[@BennettBuilt-yu2gw]

I saw this and immediately thought. Kayak, snap weights. Boat, downrigger. Having 3 kids I never got into the kayak game but I have experience on a 13ft deep v boat vs an 18ft. Kayak/narrow: Easy enough to use a longer rod and easily pull a snap weight beside you to release and avoid the downrigger all together. One thing to consider for depth movement is on a wider profile your beam allows your lure to move up and down more. We almost ALWAYS get a bite when it’s slow by rocking the boat .. maybe it’s the “here fishy fishy”.

[@BryanLuciani]

I find running a series of willow blades in front of my downrigger clip draws more fish to the downrigger from a range of depths. Helps negate the lack of “hunting” droppers get.

[@bayareadoghouse]

Science plus intuition. You are the master!

[@davidlortie9153]

Great can’t wait to see it, great channel keep the info coming. Thank you

[@nickporter9976]

Very cool video. Thanks for the data with depth it is much appreciated.

[@TwoStageTrigger]

I use oversized weights (6oz) on a slide rig, not snapper rig. The added weight allows me to keep them on the fish finder screen and maintain a certain depth. I find I can have my line in the water more when using snap weights. Downriggers are nice, but I spend more time cranking them up and down than reeling in fish, and electric are too big and heavy for my little boat or my kayak. I went out on my small boat with my brother last year at our local koke lake and most of the fish were caught on the dropper rigs (all matching color combos). Keeping your lines where the fish are is the best way to maximize success. Downriggers are great for getting a consistent depth, and I still use them all the time. Cranking 2 4lb weights up takes more time than putting on new corn and dropping back down to the thermocline.

[@JamesTuckerSLC]

I ordered both depth charts. For a given target depth, how do you decide between using heavier weight and shorter lines vs lighter weights and longer lines? I’m guessing that the heavy/short combo might have greater depth variability as you make turns.

[@benwilcox54]

Fuster clucking in the kayak 😂

[@spiltmilt]

Its so easy! 😂

[@larrymiller672]

Made me laugh 😘

[@asully70]

Are the depth sticker charts sold out? I click the link and it takes me to tee shirts and sweatshirts.

[@asully70]

Never mind found the link in another comment.

[@jessetharp6319]

Have you considered running a snubber on your downrigger rod? Some claim they make a difference since there’s not a lot of “shock absorption” between the terminal tackle and the downrigger ball, without the snubber.

[@Vityasviri]

Have you ever used cut plugs or spin fish for Kokanee? I bought some wondering how effective they are for early/late season. Love the Chelan videos you put out!

[@tribunis_gaming6760]

I have been using mini cut plugs and they've been great.

[@stevenovak4326]

Why did you go away from the slider/dropper weight setup to the snap wights that you made a video showing a product about a year ago?

[@spiltmilt]

I cover that in detail here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3-0nGCKZcaJpsk

[@saltywalrusfishingcompany]

Curious why many of the Kokanee are so deep in winter but I'm still having good success in top 20' of water

[@stevenovak4326]

@@spiltmilt thanks, different subject, I see that you always place your kokes in the cooler without dispatching them. Ive been studying up on the Ike Jime to make my salmon species have the best eating I can. Its probably not practicle to do but certainly interesting to try and see if the effort is worth it. Thoughts? kzbin.info/www/bejne/a16ZnZR_l9t5pJIsi=kkN566m_c8yIF4z6

[@jonathanlarsen2843]

@@saltywalrusfishingcompany It's mostly the fish on top are feeding and the ones deeper are not. They're also typically different age classes of fish. You also aren't gonna mark most of the fish in the top 15-20 feet of water due to the size of the sonar cone.

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve tried Ike Jime I don’t really notice a difference that much for all the hassle that comes with. I do pop the gills on my Kokanee I just don’t include that on camera

[@larryhuman5824]

What distance do you usually have between the dodger and the dropper weight?

[@spiltmilt]

30’

[@surffishing1369]

New to trolling here for trout. To clarify. You have ur dodger/lure, you let out 30’ of line. Attach your 5oz snap weight. Then let out another 120’ to get you down to ur troll depth?

[@spiltmilt]

yes

[@surffishing1369]

Thank you. I was looking at getting ur depth chart sticker. Is 30’ away from lure across the board?

[@catfishman9516]

Yep I never use my down rigger anymore. Waste of money and time on the water.

[@wizzle89]

Do you prefer a sliding drop rig setup or the snap weights? Or is it tomato, tamato?

[@spiltmilt]

Snap weights. This video explains why kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3-0nGCKZcaJpsk

[@lukebronstein9617]

how much does your downrigger weigh?

[@spiltmilt]

I use a 6 lb weight

[@lukebronstein9617]

@@spiltmilt yes, but how much does the actual downrigger unit weigh approximately?

[@spiltmilt]

Not sure. I am away from home on a contract job for the next 5 weeks. I'll have to get back to you but I'd guess it weight about 10 lbs.

[@todgarred1450]

Why not use lead line?

[@spiltmilt]

Several reasons. It’s almost impossible to reach depths like 100’ with lead core, lead core line requires oversized rods and reels, it’s less fun catching fish on lead core, it more difficult to customize distance from boat and depth relationships with lead core, and lead core isn’t as stretchy as mono and I feel you lose more fish on lead core.

[@larrymiller672]

Where are the fish???

[@spiltmilt]

in the water

[@JR497]

My Cannons when set on depth cycling definitely catch more fish.

[@lunchbox5825]

Fuster clucking is a great term. Perfect for work or chaotic fishing

[@IcicleTV]

Alright alright 💥🔥💯

[@michaeldilbeck9259]

It fascinates me how different your kokanee fishery is there in Washington compared to ours here in California. This time of year, they’re shallow and scattered here but they’re so deep and schooled up where you are. Out of curiosity, why is that?

[@spiltmilt]

They are shallow in most lakes too. Lake Chelan Kokanee are just weird

[@chubbrock659]

lol, triple rotating fuster clucks are the best!

[@tla1950]

Hello On the down rigger you were using a 30’ set back and then lowering the down rigger to 100’ correct? On the snap weight what was your set back and how far did you let out after attaching the snap weight? Watched the video twice and I apologize if I missed something you have already discussed.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes 30' out. Clip in. Then another 100-120' depending on desired depth.

[@countryboy360]

@@spiltmiltDo you always put the dropper at 30’ out. Thank you.

[@daleisidro9993]

What pond line do u use for trolling with your snap weights

[@spiltmilt]

10 lb mono

[@thecount1001]

kye-ronomids! like dem kye-otees you got round dem parts.

[@TimTorell]

I appreciate your very informative videos. Regarding snap weights, down-riggers and lure changing (floating) to different depths. If I have a 100 ft setback on the down-rigger or the same as the snap weight. It stands to reason the lure would change depths much like the snap weight set. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

Yes they would be more similar but I don’t know why you would ever run a 100’ setback off either?

[@TimTorell]

@@spiltmilt thanks,

[@Steveh112]

That is a cool peddle boat setup, never have to worry about running out of gas or battery. Is that something you put together yourself or bought already built? And how expensive of an investment if you don't mind me asking? That would be perfect for the little lakes up here in northern Wisconsin. Did you buy it online or locally? I think it's going to be an early spring this year, can't wait for fishing season. Been a really mild winter and they're talking 50 degrees by early next month.

[@spiltmilt]

They come prebuilt. All the rod holders, electronics, and downrigger were added by me. When I first bought my Salty 120 PDL they cost about $1800. They run $2500 now.

[@lukebronstein9617]

what reels are you using here?

[@spiltmilt]

Daiwa Lexa 100 LC

[@caaspal]

@@spiltmilt the crank almost looks bigger then my Lexa 100, almost like the lexa 300

[@spiltmilt]

???

[@davidlortie9153]

How much line do you let out before clipping your weight? And is it the same across the board to achieve depth?

[@spiltmilt]

I usually do 30' but you can vary it depending on your goals with precision or lack thereof. I have a video coming out soon discussing this topic.

[@jsyangyu]

which water is this? beatifical place even for kayaking along.

[@spiltmilt]

Lake Chelan

[@chubbrock659]

This video makes me feel much better about not having a down rigger. I’ve been resistant to getting one, and I’ve been using the slider rig you recommended but will try the snap weight rig this spring. With a 5 oz weight you must be using heavy main line? Also, you probably have way more blowback than a downrigger, can you still see your sinker on the screen? Thank you for the info.

[@TwoStageTrigger]

I use 6oz weights on 20lb flourocarbon. I know it's overkill but kokanee don't care about what's in front of the dodger. I also have 2 ugly stick stripper rods because I don't like having excess clutter in my garage. They are light enough to not rip kokanee lips, and heavy enough to catch lake trout and catfish. I use the slider rig and catch tons of kokanee where I'm at. Main line has a barrel swivel, a bead, and then a snap swivel. Then I attach a 3.5 foot leader with 10lb test and a 6 ball swivel at the top, snap swivel on the bottom. Then I can just attach the dodger to the bottom snap swivel. I added a split ring and snap swivel to my weights that I attach to the barrel swivel.

[@chubbrock659]

@@TwoStageTrigger that’s about how my set up is as well, but I have problems getting down really deep. I want to try this snap weight system with a heavier weight in lieu of a downrigger for the days when the fish are really deep.

[@vinhr1]

Are you on the south end close to the boat launch on this video?

[@spiltmilt]

No I am uplake of the Yacht Club

[@RyanBiscorner]

Love the videos, what snap weights are you using?

[@spiltmilt]

Links are also in the description: Snaps: amzn.to/38c2tEz

[@thekingassassin7992]

What’s the max depth you can get the dropers to?

[@spiltmilt]

Depends on how much weight you are willing to use.

[@charlesbradley-q2f]

Hey, I was wondering if you know the ice condition around the seep lakes by potholes. And if good witch lake, do you like to fish? Thanks, and love your stuff I have learned a lot.

[@spiltmilt]

Open water

[@charlesbradley-q2f]

@@spiltmilt dang it, thank you

[@tla1950]

You said you were using weights up to 6 ounces, are you still using your lite Kokanee rods or have you had to go to something heavier? Thanks for all the great videos.

[@spiltmilt]

I use Paulina Peak rods which have a little more backbone than a lot of Kokanee rods. Most Kokanee rods are underpowered for 5 or 6 oz weights

[@tla1950]

@@spiltmilt when you get a chance could you send me a link to the rod you are using? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

Sold out at the moment but you might want to reach out to Richie at Paulina and see when he plans to get more in. They always sell out really fast! paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ols/categories/kokanee-fishing-rods

[@panchopachangas4450]

I don’t see depth chart sticker in your store Tyler.

[@spiltmilt]

spilt-milt-store.creator-spring.com/listing/depth-table-for-trolling-with?product=663

[@panchopachangas4450]

@@spiltmilt thank you Tyler. Ordered both charts. 👍🏻

[@philipochoa3365]

What kind of release do you use for your down riggers

[@spiltmilt]

Scotty downrigger clips

[@philipochoa3365]

@@spiltmilt thank you bro!