Making the Most of Snap Weights for Kokanee

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Snap weights have become a critical tool in helping to catch Kokanee. I prefer them over sliding weights for a variety of reasons. The versatility of snap weights makes them very flexible when targeting Kokanee at a variety of depths whether they are holding at a specific depth or scattered across many depths. In this video I discuss how I run my snap weights in terms of weight size and placement.
Tackle featured in this video:
- Depth Table: spilt-milt-store.creator-spri...
- Snaps: amzn.to/38c2tEz
- Assortment of Lead Free Weights are Great!: amzn.to/3MXmH3L
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[@dave8772]

The utter weirdness of kokanee is part of the attraction for me but they’re also a great outlet for tinkerers. I enjoy continually trying new tweaks while paying attention to the tried and true, and your videos are a great source of inspiration.

[@dennisschafer8594]

Great explanation for why to use different size weights. Seems so obvious once you explained it

[@blaahster]

Congratulations on 35k, slow grind to 100k, love your content!

[@FamilyNick]

Wow! What a great explanation of weights and the versatility!! Thank you!

[@BennettBuilt-yu2gw]

Funny thing you mention the depth with cannonballs vs downriggers based on speed. April Fools Crappie Classic at C.J. strike this year was exactly this for us. Once we dialed in that total weight, to work the targeted water column, it was lights out for catch ratio along with an unusual lure choice. We fished Anderson Ranch the day after and same thing just more drastic. Top water to 80ft or deeper in some areas. Prime example of seasonal changes on when or when not to use downriggers.

[@bruced1429]

Good info on the snap weights. 20 years ago or more we were using snaps weight but we used pencil weights. My fishing buddy who past away a couple of years ago was an engineer. Now we all know how finicky they can be ,but is mind says use pencil weights cut to want ever weight/lenght you need as the offer less drag . We used them very sucessfully for years before downriggers became the norm. Could be interesting to see a comparism of the ball vs pencil weight for drag etc.

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve done comparisons on stick downrigger weights vs cannonball. The stick weights had more blowback

[@robertadams9409]

Another great video!!! Thank you for spreading your knowledge!!!

[@Xtinnoker]

Thank You for your professionalism and the time and thought you put into videos, I have been subscribed for years and i have learned a bunch.

[@ehdcoyote]

Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Thank you!

[@tbone6924]

Great videos....I always do pretty well when fish are in an intermediate depth...like 20 -30', but struggle when they are super shallow. I have never used any weight when fishing shallow as I figured that just the weight of the dodger and lure would be enough to get down a few feet, but maybe I need to add a half ounce or an ounce of weight.

[@manfordjennings3905]

Spilt really like your vrs this setup to this setup vids could you do one just plain tuna from a can white shoepeg corn vrs scented cure that would be great and thanks for the great content Mr Milt

[@jimmychesney7162]

Congrats on 35k! I recommend this channel to all my fishing buddies. So a couple quick questions, do you have a link for these snap weights that supports the channel? Secondly I’m looking at the combo packs from Paulina Peak tackle, would you recommend the Flaming Gorge pack or the Berryessa pack for the high cascades in Central Oregon? I intend to step up my kayak trolling game this year.

[@spiltmilt]

Links are always in the description Snaps: amzn.to/38c2tEz. In the next few weeks I am going to be rolling out a collaborative Spilt Milt starter pack with Paulina Peak tackle. Stay tuned!

[@saltyOG]

This answers some questions I was going to address through trial and error. Great stuff! Tyler have you ever trolled plugs or other tackle behind a Brads mud dog diver standard, or magnum?

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve used Flicker Minnows as divers running small spoons behind them for American Shad. They are cheaper than Brads and dive just as deep

[@chubbrock659]

I’m thinking I’ll use clip weights for the deeper depths where I don’t have a downrigger, but for shallow weights the slider weights seem to be very easy for me to control. Thanks for this info

[@dave8772]

Similarly, I’ve developed a preference for running sliders from 0.25 to 1.5 ounces and clips for 2 ounces and above. For me, 1.5 and below sliders don’t seem to affect my landing rate but above that it’s sure nice being able to remove a clunky weight.

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@kevinkelley5741]

For me it’s way easier to take the snap weights off if they are further away from your gear when you have a fish on..

[@spiltmilt]

Yeah that’s why I prefer distances of 30’ or greater

[@KolynRadbourne]

Always love your video my goto as I work to become a better fisherman (especially targeting Kokanee). Just have to say however, I just bought these snap weights from the link and DAM they are so hard to open. My wife needed bite them to open them. Then they just slid on the line. Did I miss something?🤔

[@spiltmilt]

This is the first I’ve heard of anyone having problems. I just squeeze in the middle and they open easy. Biting them open seems odd.

[@frankpiacentino9236]

Great info , thanks. What is the best place to buy weights and snaps ?

[@spiltmilt]

Links to both in the description. Those purchases help support this channel

[@jimsegger9116]

I would love to have that chart but I couldn't find the link in the video thanks for all the great information I love the videos and content and I dont fish for kokanee much I'm more of a bass band trout/salmon guy but I recommend you to anyone that has questions about trolling for trout keep up the great work god bless

[@spiltmilt]

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

[@jimsegger9116]

Thank you sir

[@pyang4155]

Next question is what rods specs do you look for with that setup. Not using downriggers. What rods do you use. Length. Power. Action. Reel size. Main line. Leader line. Im more curious about the weight and dodger affecting the type of rod im using as im trolling and when i get a fish on.

[@spiltmilt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmfGkGN9e96Bp8U

[@user-fn4dq6qu5v]

So when you say a 100 ft set back is that 100ft after you clip the weight on or 100ft total?

[@Feeshon-]

Curious if you ever use Dipsy Divers or similar and your thoughts on them??

[@spiltmilt]

They create more drag than cannonballs and you lose more fish with them.

[@rondeezy_thepancakeslayer1242]

I’ve noticed using braid is quite a bit of difference in depth vs your charts. It might be a good comparison video?

[@spiltmilt]

Thinner diameter and different buoyancy so I would expect as such

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

I saw on your short clips that you were selling salmon setup with flashers etc... Where can i get that?

[@spiltmilt]

Its not mines a product from Lure Safe luresafe.com/product/75-15-black-flasher-and-cover-jacket/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1z2S1DaBfDfRkc1-YzEXTgiwo9RpJsPm5Dojcb8R5Lnje2q6OK99c4a1Q_aem_AShBBTDpmi_mM7yzFfXxmeuhi_XT4D5pW2BlIuoAnuwqKBGSi9J8i098f31_00H6AAdOKxKy32JUhhhHKuNQf0Si

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

@@spiltmilt Gotcha Thanks... Would you ever do one for your kokanee setups? I would definitely buy it🙂

[@user-oh3qu4kf3w]

Tyler, how hard is it to maintain a constant speed in a pedal kayak? How accurate is GPS speed indication? Is it best to have a paddle wheel speed sensor? Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

I can very easily stay plus minus .1 mph of a target troll speed in still water.

[@spiltmilt]

A paddle wheel sensor isn’t necessary imo and just adds more drag

[@MrJDMs3]

What is the deepest you can troll from the kayak?

[@spiltmilt]

With snap weights probably 90ish feet with 6 oz of weight but you could go deeper with heavier weights. I troll at 150' with the downrigger all the time

[@ryanbarton6739]

Could you recommend some rod's to use with drop weights for level winde reels

[@spiltmilt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmfGkGN9e96Bp8U

[@like2fly01]

On your depth chart, is the amount of "line out" measured from rod tip to snap weight, thus ignoring the amount of line from the weight to lure? For example, if I let out 50' of line, then snap on a 3oz weight, then let out 50' more (for a total of 100' on my line counter); would I read the chart at 50' for 3oz, or 100' for 3oz? I'm assuming "line out" is from rod tip to weight. Is that right? Different types of lures/flashers also have different drag and weight, which affects the overall depth, right? Was your chart calculated with or without a lure/flasher?

[@spiltmilt]

This video explains the methods How To Determine Trolling Depth Using Lead for Kokanee and Trout kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIW1fnmYqK53eq8

[@like2fly01]

@@spiltmilt Thanks for that link, Tyler. Great video, as all of yours are. You really contribute a lot to this pursuit, and I appreciate it. I'll be making a donation soon. That other video you linked answered some of my questions, but still didn't address how much a typical dodger/lure combo affects the depth.You mentioned that you planned to experiment with this more in the future. Is this still on your to-do list? The dodger/lure will certainly add some additional drag, which I assume will make the whole rig run a bit shallower than the chart says. But it also adds some weight (especially the dodger) which might make it run a bit deeper. Maybe these two factors cancel eachother out?

[@spiltmilt]

I don't expect lure type to have much impact but dodger size, shape, and weight certainly does and is addressed in this video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3_Nd3mBmZqffaM

[@dats007]

I was recently at Cabela’s shopping for lead but they were fresh out of 5-7 ounce weights. Would you ever combine two (or more) weights to achieve a heavier weight?

[@spiltmilt]

I do this all the time

[@dats007]

@@spiltmiltAwesome! I just ordered one of the depth table stickers. Love your content.

[@Stittsy1963]

Do you even use slider weights anymore for Kokanee fishing?

[@spiltmilt]

No

[@TokyoNightGirl-fk4cn]

💕 Wow💚💚💚💙💚💙💙

[@michaelpeterson6740]

I like using the drop weights but seem to lose quite a few in fighting the fish or even just in reeling in. Any secrets?

[@spiltmilt]

What hooks r u using?

[@michaelpeterson6740]

I’m losing the snap weights that fall from the line. Thanks

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

Is there a little nub on your snap weight clip? You have to make sure your line is clipped all the way under it so it doesn't fall off. ​@@michaelpeterson6740

[@jpmorgie]

Are you able to see your snap weight on your helix like you would with a down rigged cannon ball?

[@chubbrock659]

Probably too much blowback unless he’s going really slow with a heavy weight clipped in close to the kayak

[@spiltmilt]

No

[@canyonfishing]

What happened to the AP? Why’d you switch?

[@spiltmilt]

Here you go Why I Got Rid of My Old Town AutoPilot 120: Better Alternatives? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ-QZ2CfZdGKh7M

[@daveengstrom9250]

I fish much more efficiently if I bring a box of doughnuts along. 😄

[@justtoysociety8990]

Snap weight vs diver video? I feel like you already made one lol

[@spiltmilt]

Divers have very little practical use at Kokanee troll speeds