Kokanee Leaders Explained: Length, Strength, & Material

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There is a lot of confusion around and opinions about Kokanee leaders. In this video I talk about and show why I use monofilament over fluorocarbon for Kokanee, why I use heavier 10 lb test lines, and why short leaders are usually the way to go.
Products featured in this video:
- Maxima Ultragreen 10 lb: amzn.to/46bLQlI
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[@neverhomeguideservice]

Well that explains why I got skunked today. Good info. Thanks!

[@nw_angler]

That fluro/mono comparison blew my mind. I always thought fluro was less dense.

[@NeistadtFamily]

Thank you so much for the tips. Used them at Wallowa Lake last weekend. Super fun

[@marktavelli1924]

Thanks!

[@blakeboling8099]

Awesome content as usual, thank you!

[@lengray7804]

Nice work on this. Thanks.

[@cowboy-quill]

Another amazing video!!!! It's amazing how much information you got into a 7 min video!!! Thank you for all the videos and amazing tips and tricks. They have helped so much , I can't thank you enough.

[@BennettBuilt-yu2gw]

Excellent video on what many people talk about but I don't think practice enough of. The extra effort you put into filming all the differences on lengths and line weights with great editing is awesome! Tight lines!

[@mikeellickson4199]

Great explanations and demonstrations. Thank you

[@robbysmusic8507]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. all i can say, i just learned big time. Great video. All the best Robby.

[@wildwestcoast8095]

Thank you for sharing the awesome helpful info. Hope to get my first Kokanee soon

[@darylreinke2619]

Am up in Calgary and get to Koocanusa once a year. I’ve been watching your great videos all winter and feel I’ve learned enough to maybe possibly hopefully get into it with those koks the beginning of august. All the few koks I’ve caught and seen caught on this lake in past years were just little guys it they ARE good!

[@strugglinoutdoors]

Most valuable kokanee tips available

[@jamesblakely6279]

Heading out to horseshoe lake Sunday to give it a try fingers crossed I can find them

[@sergioclemente]

Sorry for not having bought nothing from your store before. Thanks Tyler! The kayaker community really appreciates your contributions!

[@spiltmilt]

No worries. Everyone contributes in different ways. Even just liking or sharing videos helps a ton.

[@adamsnyder9347]

I’ve thought of using Maxima Chameleon for my Kokanee leaders since it’s stiffer than ultragreen. I use 40 lb chameleon for the butt section of tapered leaders for steelhead fly fishing which is what inspired that thought. Thanks

[@seanthorntonmd3908]

Personal thanks to you for all of your videos from Seattle. Got a new inflatable boat and will begin kokanee fishing when I get back from a trip. Thanks to you, I feel like I'm in a great place to begin this journey. Also, congrats on the weight loss. Looking good! Finally, I just got my green Spilt Milt hoody. It's terrific! Warm and fleece-lined. It will be one of my favorites.

[@spiltmilt]

That's awesome and thank you for your support. What type of inflatable did you get?

[@seanthorntonmd3908]

@@spiltmilt Sea Eagle STS 10. I have yet to get it on the water, but have had it inflated, and have customized it. Sure looks sturdy, if slow. My ePropulsion motor will come shortly. Then I'll be all set! I've even taken inspiration from you wonderful vids (I have made a few myself, but not about fishing), and will try to put out a few vlogs re: boat and first experiences following your leads. Thanks again.

[@tannerfiez4977]

Great video as always, most informative fishing channel on KZbin. I grew up kokanee fishing with my grandpa and love being able to call him up now and tell him about your videos and experiments showing comparison results when we have discussed so many in the past. I am wondering if you apply the same principles when trolling for salmon? For example, shorter leader for spin fish and longer for something like a wicked lure? I was also wondering for a potential future video if you have experimented in the past with the length of gap between the hooks with your hoochies and any impact on hookup ratio or bites. Thanks!!

[@billwood2696]

L

[@joemarlow5209]

Visiting my brother here in WA. I’m from east coast. Did well on the Koks thx to you. Thanks! Do you have a comparison vid on different running lines for snap weight applications? Most interested in mono, floro vs braid impact on deep applications. Lexa 100lc.

[@spiltmilt]

I don’t because I never run braid for Kokanee

[@chrisdavee9556]

I noticed your doing a side shot of the lures in the water what about showing the top view it will show more of the side to side action

[@chadglover3455]

Love your content & subscribed. I typically fish Lake Roosevelt and have caught small and large Kokanee's. Appreciate the leader info, I think I have been running too long. A couple questions: Do you use scent? Also, where are your favorite waters for consistently larger Kok's? I have never tried Chelan or other lakes in the middle of the state. I am driving in from the Spokane area so I want to make the drive worth it. Also considering the Brewster Reservoir for sockeye next weekend. Have never done it but have watched your video's and have the gear. Despite the combat. :)

[@spiltmilt]

Yes I do run a variety of scents. Check out my recipe video here My Kokanee Corn Scent Recipe kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHK8kGaKoLqdhsk Good luck at Brewster!

[@markskibo5159]

Great movie Master Angler !!! Would trout setups be the same, no Kokanee here

[@spiltmilt]

Yes same rules apply in terms of action

[@garyk2048]

How do you measure your leader length, from the top of the loop to the front of the hoochie or from the top of the loop to the end of the hooks?

[@nickporter9976]

Hey, I am new to the channel, and your information is fantastic. I watched your video where you used identical setups with one long vs one short leader. In that video, the long leader came out as the winner. Do you think that was an quirk? Just curious because I did see that was the long leader vs short leader was 3 years ago. Thanks for the information!

[@spiltmilt]

I think it was a one off. Short leaders still produce more consistently than longer ones

[@kevincornett1244]

Great video. No Kokanee here but we have lots of small lakes stoked with triploid rainbow trout. Would you say the same setup would apply? Haven’t tried fishing them much but when I have I’ve been very unsuccessful.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes same concepts apply

[@kodiyakangler]

Thanks figured as much but you definitely have it dialed in and I haven’t had much luck in the lakes here.

[@rja62b]

did you try the longer lengths on flouro? A stiffer and heavier leader might throw the lure around more? I hear for sockeye, johns uses 30lb flouro and i think u said u use 15lb mono?

[@nateparker5232]

I like to run wobblers with spinners wedding rings or spinner hoochies. I also have a spinner that is green and silver that I love to run with a baby wobbler. But my leaders are 18 to 24 inch leader. And I tie everything on 8lb leader on chameleon. Just incase there are line shy trout.

[@unclesam7660]

I never knew to bend my Dodgers 😮

[@Newtrous]

Damn Tyler! You trying to be the next cover model for Kayakers Illustrated?!

[@spiltmilt]

😂💪

[@humbugvideos]

What’s your thoughts on flouroclear and the flourocarbon coated lines? Could u get the best of both worlds?

[@spiltmilt]

I haven’t tried them

[@joemarlow5209]

1 more ?. Any experience or tips on landlocks in lakes/non spawning?

[@spiltmilt]

Land locked what?

[@SteveE-hg9nd]

Do you use a loop to connect leader to dodger or tie directly onto swivel? Loop allows easy changing leaders but I would think a direct tie would be better for the action.

[@spiltmilt]

I use a loop.

[@arnoldbrown1035]

What about plastic flipper with hoochies? And doesn’t the corn change the action? BTW I’ll shorten my leaders thanks

[@spiltmilt]

You want to give wiggle hoochies a longer leader length 12-16" so they can move. As long you add only one piece of corn to each hook it shouldn't deaden the action on the lure that much

[@vitpav777]

Can you send us a link if that dodger that you demonstrated in leader length. That throws left and right a lot. Thank you.

[@spiltmilt]

paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ols/products/peak-performer-lite-dodger-purple-haze

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

What type of line are you running on your main line and how many pound test? Do you use a braided line at all for your main line when catching kokanee or sockeye? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

10 lb mono for Kokanee, heavier braid for all other salmon

[@chubbrock659]

Do the leader length differences apply the same way to trout? I haven’t had a chance to target kokes yet this year so wondering if this applies to trout as well.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes same advice applies

[@usstartarsauce]

so I am using the instant down rigger at merwin, how heavy do you recommend? Can you explain the relationship with troll speed, weight and desirable depth?

[@spiltmilt]

Generally I estimate 10-15’ of drop per oz with 100’ out at 1.5 mph

[@usstartarsauce]

@@spiltmilt Thank you, and all your videos are amazing, caught my first kokanee last week!

[@SteveE-hg9nd]

Do you use the same leader length if you add a smiley blade or spinner blade on your hoochie?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@dumpie45sucks43]

Great video

[@dborden01]

Where do you measure your leaders from? To where the first hook is tied?

[@dborden01]

Nevermind. Found answer in comments below.

[@smthcrmnal26]

Any issues runnjng Maxima ultra green 10lb for the main line and leader?

[@spiltmilt]

No but my fisheries aren't snaggy

[@jamesomalley3707]

Could you be a little more specific? Do you mean from Loop to end of hook or do you mean tip of squid to end of loop on leader length? Thank you.

[@spiltmilt]

Loop to top of lure

[@matttaylor9385]

Do you think mono vs. flouro leaders has any effect on your trout bycatch?

[@spiltmilt]

Never tested it but I doubt it has that much of an impact

[@oleksandrobzhylov8445]

What kind of lures do you suggest?

[@spiltmilt]

These are my go to setups kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYCZipWgir2lg68

[@jerillarhen]

Just a random thought that came to mind after watching this video. I was thinking maybe the reason that the vast majority of pre-tied micro hoochies that are being sold by most companies have a spinner blade or smile blade on thembis because the average kokanee fisherman does not make the leader short enough to catch fish consistently. Or maybe it is just bling to catch fishermen???

[@spiltmilt]

Bling bling

[@dborden01]

@@spiltmilt Do you ever run spinner blades on hoochies? or other kokanee setups?

[@gligh01]

Do you change out the hooks on your stock lures?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@lawrenceblue8207]

Would you know if it would make any difference in using a spinning blade, YES or NO?

[@spiltmilt]

No

[@wingbutler2699]

Welp!!! Now I know why I got skunked today.

[@user-pj3ni1lm6b]

What color dodger should be used for "stained water?"

[@spiltmilt]

Silver with blue or purple reflective tape.

[@user-pj3ni1lm6b]

@@spiltmilt thanks

[@chapmanbmw054]

what would you say is the best starter around 200$ kokanee setup?

[@spiltmilt]

Lamiglas red Kokanee rod: amzn.to/3NNQ1x6 Daiwa Lexa 100 LC: amzn.to/3PtOcGv

[@chapmanbmw054]

@@spiltmilt thanks, been looking into kokanee fishing on my kayak for a little bit and wasnt sure.

[@kevinkrahel581]

Have you used planers in place of down riggers?

[@spiltmilt]

They serve two different purposes.

[@kevinkrahel581]

The planer takes your lure down deep without heavy sinkers. While in trolling position, the planer runs at 45º angle. When a fish is hooked, it returns to the surface.

[@brianbeardsley5244]

@@kevinkrahel581 In the PNW most people think of side planers on the surface when you say "planers". They are used to get your gear out away from the boat. The device you speak of would be called a "diver" here. Luhr Jensen jet diver, deep six diver or dipsy diver for example.

[@panchopachangas4450]

Would it be the same concept for rainbows Tyler?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@boattothebelly]

Where do you measure your length to? Top of lure, first hook or bottom hook? So many differing opinion so your followers might want to know. We measure from end of loop to the top of lure.

[@spiltmilt]

I do the same

[@boattothebelly]

@@spiltmilt We also use the Maxima Ultragreen but in 15lb test. Prefer it more stiff so we don’t have to keep changing between sockeye and kokes trips since we use similar setups for them. Neither fish seem line shy.

[@TinaKing-ws5bh]

When you say 6-8 inches is that 6inches from the nose of the hoochie or the entire thing.

[@spiltmilt]

To the nose

[@littletoze]

I’m confused…you did an additional video varying leader length with identical poles showing length was not critical. Now we need a third video to confirm thoughts on leader length.

[@spiltmilt]

Not aware of such a video

[@littletoze]

@@spiltmilt kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYO7oKqDor2Hqc0

[@littletoze]

In this video from 3 years ago, you said the longer leader was hit twice as much. Thanks for the videos!

[@stevesansburn1504]

Three out of four Cokenee that we catch we catch on Cokenee cut plugs preferably fatal attraction with 12 to 14 inches leader length why don’t you use Kokanee Cut plugs

[@spiltmilt]

I used to run them but when I ran trials with them side by side with microhoochies the hoochies generally prevailed. However, on some days especially late season I did better with cutplugs especially on Merwin.

[@scottappley2626]

One thing heavy mono does is it resist spinning. If you running a lure that rotates even with swivels heavier is better. There are some great video on a salt water channel that show mono out shines over floro when abrasive situations are present. Most of the people I fish with will not shorten their leaders. Side note: a short leader on a bottom bouncer works kind of the same the wire creates an eradicate action, better in warmer water. Awesome video

[@snagrbuster7343]

The name of your channel is far too suggestive to be used for a "family" KZbin channel!!🤨

[@FarrahGerwing]

Would you think 2 ft is sufficient for 1.5 inch apex or pro trolls ? I've only been shortening the 4ft leader they come with by 6 to 12 inches

[@spiltmilt]

I like 18-24” for those lures

[@FarrahGerwing]

@spiltmilt thanks, leaving to bridge lake tomorrow for 4 days

[@galentorneby2480]

Thanks!

Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Welcome! Thank you 🙏