Weight Systems for Targeting Kokanee at Depth Without a Downrigger

[@soultakers66]

I would like to thank you on behalf of all new kayak fisherman. Love all the info about fishing from a kayak for trout/kokanee. Hard to find youtube video about kayak fishing that ain't about bass.

[@calkellogg6700]

Tyler is awesome…. I do lots of kayak trout fishing…. Check out my channel, Fish Hunt Shoot Productions….

[@wizzle89]

thanks so much for this info - fellow kayak angler from Canada. Cheers.

[@ChiCityYaker]

Another benefit to the drop weight and the Instant Downrigger options is that you can get the weight away from your presentation for the times when the fish are skittish or pressured. I've sent stuff back 80' before clipping on a weight and that was the only rod they'd hit. Great video and I had always wondered if you ever used that care package from RediRig.

[@danielcole8609]

Glad I finally realized my notifications were not on I really missed your videos you inspired me to get into kayak fishing

[@jacobdalecrow564]

When using any in line weight, if you use a quality snap swivel to hook into the weight, and then a duolock on the other in you can quickly switch out similar to your sliding weight system

[@spiltmilt]

Might as well use the sliding weight at that point its superior IMO

[@mikejameson4545]

I use the "instant downrigger," Tyler is right about finding the sweet spot to pinch the line not to deep. Also you need to put a fairly large bead to protect the knot at the bummer!

[@adamsnyder9347]

I use the banana weights in a slider since I’ve inherited a tackle box full of them. Kind of the best of both worlds. I’m interested in the instant downrigger. Thanks for all the info.

[@methowhomestead]

Wish they still made those! Plus they were quick change!

[@timmoore9736]

I solved the issue of storing the rod while using banana weights; the business end of my line has a larger duoloc, so I can change weights easily, and don't have one banging around when I am done.

[@CarolineVendette]

Thank you very useful info well explained!

[@BC-ue3ku]

I love the slider weight. I use that mainly as I like to change EVERYTHING every 5 minutes when I’m fishing 😂

[@rileylabski]

Super helpful, first video I've seen of yours and I subscribed for sure, great work dude!

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

That's interesting! It's always nice to have more options.

[@Justin-zs1ql]

Another great video Tyler.

[@AlpineForge9600]

This is great information!!

[@FishingPhoFun]

Love the snap weight. It’s my go too rig

[@briang4583]

What are the specs for the rod you use when fishing with 1 to 4 ounces of weight? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

I use 7' to 7'6" composite rods with with medium to medium light power and slow action. The Paulina Peak rods are great for this.

[@stonibaloni]

Would be great to know the weights/how much line for those kokanee beyond 40'.

[@spiltmilt]

The heaviest I run is 5 oz out to 100' and catch those Kokanee that deeper than 40'

[@splashinglures1328]

you said in the video that you are targeting kokanee at 70’, how far back do you let the line out to achieve that depth with a 4oz banana weight?

[@EdHeinlein]

I've always used a downrigger when fishing from my canoe, and could see how deep it was on my sonar. I'm wondering, how do you determine the depth of your rig is it is dragging behind you, and out of sonar vision? It would appear to me that even with line counter reels, you only know how much line is out, but not really how deep. I've found that as little as 5 ft too high or low from where the kokes are staging can mean bringing home some fish, or none at all? I'd appreciate your solution!! Thanks very much!!!

[@unclesam7660]

This is the question I have also

[@johnvanderwalker4830]

Excellent content, thank you!

[@littlepils4187]

What about slip weights? Like snap weights but no clip. I got my first targeted kokanee yesterday with no weights., just a willow leaf and corn as you instructed. Bbqed it fresh. So tasty. We may not get an opening for sockeye this year,, coastal bc,, so I'm trying to harvest the next best thing. Great vids.

[@spiltmilt]

Not sure what you mean by slip weight?

[@dallaswood4117]

@@spiltmilt I think he means regular old slip sinkers like you’d use for Carolina rigs

[@ac8098]

Why not add some snaps to the banana weight so you can easily take it on/off?

[@spiltmilt]

Why not just use the sliding weights at the point. It's better than a static weight.

[@eugenegress5896]

I agree....

[@brian1204]

@@spiltmiltwell, you can clip one end of a trolling weight to a slider, and have a sliding weight with a more streamlined profile, decreasing drag.

[@chriskennedy5726]

Great video Tyler. Great info. How far apart is your weight and dodger?

[@spiltmilt]

18"

[@faaustin]

The only time you mentioned line out vs weight to a specific depth and set back was with the clip on weights. How do you know depth vs line out with banana weights etc. I understand line counter reels but you do get push back. So line out doesn’t mean actual depth Thanks great videos

[@tonyborges9797]

Hello I’ve really enjoyed your channel as this is my first year Kokanee fishing. We actually had to use the sliding sinker set up last time after we lost a down rigger weight and set up. We would get lots of hits and we lost a lot of fish with the weight on there. Do you think it’s a good idea to run a rubber snubber to have a little give between the weight and dodger?

[@swillden12]

I Would like to know what type of rod you recommend using a line counter reel with the weight drop rig set up as shown in this video? I would be trolling for trout and Kokanee on lakes and reservoirs I also wanted to tell you that I have really enjoyed your videos and how informative they are!

[@spiltmilt]

How much weight are you going to be trolling with?

[@swillden12]

@@spiltmilt anywhere from 1 to 3 oz.

[@swillden12]

Also, If I remember correctly, you mentioned in one of your videos that you use a 10 lb monofilament for your main line Is that correct? What do you use for your leader lines?

[@spiltmilt]

I use 10 lb mainline and leader. Its rare to snag up much in my trout and Kokanee fisheries. If you do have snaggy fisheries I suggest 12 lb mainline and 10 leader. As for rod recommendation for 1 to 3 oz here are some suggestions: Budget: amzn.to/3aIhZpy Mid-priced: Lamiglas Red Kokanee Rod amzn.to/48hqSTA Mid-priced: Paulina Peak Rod (not in stock at the moment): paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ols/categories/kokanee-fishing-rods

[@swillden12]

@@spiltmilt this is very helpful…thank you so much!! I really appreciate your help!

[@jpmorgie]

This big in the Midwest, but I’m curious if you’ve used an Offshore Tackle Tadpole diving weight for Kokanee fishing?

[@spiltmilt]

No I haven't

[@mike6497253]

Are you able to see your lures on the fish finder while using these drop weights? Thanks for all the information you've been providing. Love the channel!

[@spiltmilt]

No I cannot see them on the fishfinder.

[@kylebrown8345]

What formula do you use for how deep your fishing.

[@spiltmilt]

I use the rough formula that for every ounce at 100' at 1.5 mph I am getting 10-15' drop

[@eugenegress5896]

Which one is Best???, Which brand?

[@ropeman3916]

Have you tried jet divers? I'm thinking they may work too. Might not be as effective as weight at that slow of a dpeed though.

[@spiltmilt]

They add too much drag and are not very effective at Kokanee troll speeds

[@nickking4336]

We used the snap weight method last trip and found it hard to keep the Kokanee on the hook when taking the weight off the line. I’m guessing the slack that was created for a split second after the weight was removed was enough for the fish to shake the hook loose. Any ideas on how to prevent this?

[@spiltmilt]

I throttle up on my speed a bit and that seems to take care of any slack issues

[@smallieman1756]

Hey Tyler, fantastic as always. I would like to ask if you have any specifics on how many feet out you need to go to reach a specific depth given a specific troll speed. I have a chart that I use but know that it is just ball park due to the obvious variables. I realize flat, banana and cannonball all have different resistance as well. Just curious if you have any insight.

[@spiltmilt]

I use the general rule for every 1 oz with 10 lb line at 100' I am getting 10-15' drop

[@clemp3010]

@@spiltmilt Thanks Tyler, I never knew that. I was always just guessing.

[@alextareski8332]

What are your thoughts on cowbells and similar dodgers? They have always been my go too for Kokanee.

[@spiltmilt]

Cowbells are a type of flasher (sometimes called lake trolls) not a dodger. I generally prefer dodgers. I have a video on this topic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZovZlayBgM6MqqM

[@coyakbrian3411]

I usually use the Davis Instruments Fish Seeker for depths of 5-80 feet. There is a chart for which holes to set your main line and dodger to depending on what depth you want. Figure it was a lead free option

[@coyakbrian3411]

@@EpididymisCowper I troll for mostly trout and they don't trip the best for me. Between the Seeker and the dodger I also put a snubber which has given me a better hookup ratio. Think they were hitting hard and ripping the hook right out. The snubber stretch's some when they hit.

[@tbcooperstube]

For winter trout when they are on the surface trolling at 2 to 2.5 mph would 1/2 oz be to light with roughly 100 to 125 ft out. I am trying to get around 5 to 10ft deep. I don’t want the lures to ski up on the top. I normally just use weighted spinners for trolling but this year I want to try cha cha squiders which weight nothing. I’d use 1 oz but my chart I have reads that at 15 ft.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes 1/2 oz would be a good choice at 100' back.

[@davidmaleyev2871]

Hi there have a question, I saw you’re depth charts and I’m wondering if those are based off the snap weight rig or the sliding weight rig? For the snap weight rig is there a certain setback I have to place it out and then let out additional line? Or do I just use the sliding rig and let out to line to the depth I want?

[@spiltmilt]

This video addresses your question How To Determine Trolling Depth Using Lead for Kokanee and Trout kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIW1fnmYqK53eq8

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

Can you these be used to target coho salmon? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@thehonfleur]

Have you tried using ledcore line? Thoughts on Ledcore vs your current setup in this video?

[@spiltmilt]

Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoOuZmlqecp_Z7M

[@jeffthrower4981]

Morning Tyler I use your sliding sinker set up but I'd like to know With 10 pound test main line. What pound test would you use for your bumper? to attach your Dodger Thank you

[@spiltmilt]

Same 10 lb monofilament most of the time unless using pre-made wire bumpers.

[@chadcochran5888]

For the snap weight, do you use braid or mono as main line? If using braid, do you have any slippage issues?

[@spiltmilt]

Works with both but starts to slip on braid 8 lb or less

[@WillYllera]

For instant downrig can you see say the 3oz weight on your fish finder to know how deep you are?

[@spiltmilt]

No

[@thehonfleur]

What line counting reels do you recommend?

[@spiltmilt]

Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ3cqJuMmbmqfas

[@norgeteran4803]

Hey Tyler. Just came across this video as I often find myself looking through your content. What's your opinion in using the instant downrigger device? I just ordered a few to try.

[@spiltmilt]

I think it fills a very specific niche for those looking for a clip style weight without the need to unclip. It does take some practice getting it dialed in.

[@norgeteran4803]

Thank you. I will give it a world. I take the old man to the lake and he does not like winding the downrigger up and down so, this got to work for him. Thanks for all your info

[@ropeman3916]

​@@norgeteran4803 Try a slider weight.

[@edwin6709]

What are your thoughts on using a Dipsy diver?

[@spiltmilt]

Not terribly effective at Kokanee troll speeds and adds unnecessary drag

[@edwin6709]

@@spiltmilt thank you so much I’m trying to find the best affordable all around rigging method to start

[@spiltmilt]

Lead cannonballs are hard to beat.

[@bartribotta1118]

Another good vid Tyler. So I fish in a power boat but still troll 1.2-1.7.. I usually use downriggers but I like the idea to try the dropper. The fish are in depths between 40-100 ft usually. I also use 10 lb mono.. so how much wt would you say I should use to get my bait down 100 ft. Now one other thing is the flasher that most use in this lake is the large ford fenders, but I am going to start using dodgers.. and see how that works out…I don’t think large ford fenders with 5 oz dropper would work… thanks by the way the lake I fish in calif Tahoe

[@spiltmilt]

Ford fender's will give you a lot of lift. A dodger doesn't do that as badly. Use 4 oz at 100' to target those fish in the 40-60' range and 5 oz at 100' to target 70' range and let me know how you do.

[@chrispower3368]

You using same power/action rods with weights as you would down rigger? Trying to figure what power/action to get.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes. Power is pretty useless given the high degree of variability between manufacturers but most fall in the light to med-light power range. Action is slow

[@chrispower3368]

@@spiltmilt thanks buddy

[@ddrrekkkk]

Have you ever used divers and disc's?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes too much drag for me

[@brettboczenowski4951]

what do you use for rod and reel specs?

[@travisbaseball13]

Do you have any experience using something like a luhr jensen dipsy diver? Someone also mentioned another version called the Davis Instruments Fish Seeker and there is also the jet diver. The dipsy diver just releases when a fish bites so you don't have to fight it

[@spiltmilt]

I have tried but the resistance on those even after they release is a lot more than a cannonball so I just use lead

[@martinvaneeden280]

what lake was this on ?

[@spiltmilt]

Chelan

[@thehonfleur]

How do you know what depth your line/lure is at without a down rigger? Cheers

[@stingray4540]

Google it. There are charts that show you your depth depending on your weight, speed and setback.

[@thehonfleur]

@@stingray4540 ty

[@johnsouza5615]

What is your average speed do you run

[@spiltmilt]

For Kokanee 1 to 1.5

[@johnsouza5615]

Thank you

[@andrewnguyen6588]

What weight line do you use?

[@spiltmilt]

10 lb mono