What do I use to Catch WINTER STEELHEAD? | Fishing with Rod

There are many different lures and bait you can use under the float for winter steelhead fishing. These are the ones I like to use.
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My name is Rod, and I am an avid fisherman, fishery advocate, conservationist and educator in British Columbia Canada. On this channel you will find:
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#steelhead #fishing #explorebc

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks for watching everyone! To get the latest updates: ► Instagram: instagram.com/fishing_with_rod/ ► Facebook: facebook.com/fishingwithrod ► Standard float fishing setup for salmon and steelhead: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5aVh4l6r9Whick

[@MrDirtDive]

Every time I watch your videos all I think is damn I just want to hang out and fish with Rod. You’re a down to earth cool dude

[@FishingwithRod]

☺️

[@gregoryolson998]

5:07

[@rhymeswithteeth]

I make my own floats out of foam backer rod (used in the installation of windows and doors.) You can find it at Home Depot, Rona, or a window shop. It comes in different diameters. Mostly, I use the 3/4" diameter. The length of float is dependent upon the water (speed, depth) you're fishing and, in particular, the amount of lead weight necessary to get your presentation (lure, etc.) in front of the fish. I carry 3 sizes of float when I`m at the river. To make the float: - Cut the backer rod to the size(s) you think you'll need. Use sandpaper to scuff up approximately one inch of one end of the float. - Cut about 2 inches of narrow, clear, plastic tubing (purchased from a hobby shop.) - Press the tubing onto the "eye end" of a straight, steel needle. - Coat the tubing with waterproof glue (also purchased from the hobby shop...or Home Depot.) - Feed the needle through the top end of the float (the scuffed end) in a slightly curved fashion (by flexing the float as the needle is going through) until the tubing is extending out the side of the float (about 1.5" - 2" down the side of the float.) Remove the needle. You can add additional glue around the top and bottom of the tubing. Do the same with the tubing on the bottom of the float. Position the bottom tubing so that, where the bottom tubing enters the side of the float, is the same side as where the top tubing exits the float. - On the side of the float, trim the tubing flush. On the top you can leave about 1/16" extended. - Place the float in an up-side-down bottom portion of and egg carton to hold it while the glue dries. You have 12 places in the egg carton, so you might want to figure on making 4, each, of 3 different sizes. - When the glue is dry, using a paint brush, paint the scuffed portion of the float with white primer paint. When dry, paint the same end with fluorescent orange paint. Allow to dry. With the slight curvature of the plastic tubing, there's more friction between the tubing and your fishing line. By giving one wrap of the fishing line around the float (after feeding the line through the top tubing) and then feeding the line through the bottom tubing, there's sufficient friction that you won't ever lose your float, yet, it's still adjustable on line. I've spent a 5 day river fishing trip and come home with the same float I started with. Other than the backer rod and the empty egg carton, you might be able to find everything else at a hobby shop.

[@pipesfishing5080]

Great and informative video as always! Thanks Rod!!

[@FishingwithRod]

You’re welcome, thanks for checking it out. 🙂

[@Majigk]

Thanks for the video Rod. I haven't tried going for steelhead ever but maybe I should try this year. Thanks for the info it will be very useful.

[@FishingwithRod]

You're welcome. The fishing is generally best in February and March. January can be good at times but it gets cold so I tend to avoid it. Good luck!

[@VoyTe]

Great video as usual. Thank you.

[@FishingwithRod]

You're very welcome. Thanks for checking it out!

[@graysonfishy]

Thanks helps for this steelhead run👍

[@wilsonflanders878]

Great video rod!very informative

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks Wilson! 🙂

[@wilsonflanders878]

@@FishingwithRod you bet!

[@adsoutdoors]

Been a few years since I've finished the vedder good to see its still good keep up the good work Rod 👍

[@FishingwithRod]

Yep it can be excellent at times. :)

[@b.c.fisher2438]

Tha k u rod. This was very helpful

[@FishingwithRod]

You're welcome!

[@rafabonati7757]

As usual, good presentation Rod. I bought some pink worms and a needle last year, but haven’t tried it yet. Maybe this winter.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks! 🙂 They work pretty well even in slow water.

[@rowdymacd]

Nailed my first one of the year last week on the holy worm!

[@FishingwithRod]

Awesome!

[@b.c.fisher2438]

Hey Rod, my name is Cole, thank you so much for the video I found it very helpful. I went out 2day at a few spots on the vedder including Christmas tree spot tamahai camp ground and the canal. Sadly no fish. Hope 2 c u out there on Boxing Day. Would love 2 meet u! Lol!

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks Cole! It's still quite early for steelhead, I should be out there in a few weeks from now. See you out there.

[@b.c.fisher2438]

Ya dude! Love the vids! Thx for responding 2 my comment. U should do a vid of fishing for steelies with a spinner or spoon. Hope u and Nina catch some chromers this season🎣👍

[@joecooke899]

great video

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks Joe!

[@dennissnegireff7570]

Thanks I'm from Oregon

[@canidsong]

It has always impressed me how well shrimp work for salmonids when they're taking bait. Saltwater, fresh water, salmon, trout or char. It's one of my go-to baits even in powerbait country.

[@FishingwithRod]

The scent of the shrimp does wonders for sure! :)

[@jesseroman2576]

Hi, I just moved to Olympia Wa from Central Califirnia and have NEVER fished for steelhead. Thanks for the tips 👍

[@FishingwithRod]

Awesome!

[@brianradant2885]

Soft beads work nice. A steelhead took my soft bead as I drifted behind my friend’s roe last year

[@FishingwithRod]

Awesome.

[@anthonyagbing386]

Nice

[@chatimer]

Love your videos, will try to apply similar techniques on the great lakes. Do you have any secret tricks to remove the memory from the mono? Or just running it through hot water and stretching it is about it? Seems like I can never get my mono perfect. I know it's the way to go to avoid line freeze in the winters. Thanks

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks William. I rarely have memory problems with my mono main actually. I use Maxima Ultragreen (12 or 15lb).

[@dragonflytoo]

When the coho were passing through where I fish, a Steelhead would be right behind them. They were huge! I've been catching big Cutty but no steelhead yet. ❤️ Thanks Rod.

[@FishingwithRod]

Awesome Sylvia! I would love to catch some big cutties too! Those don't really exist on the mainland.

[@JohnJames.]

@@FishingwithRod I got a solid 24 inch out of backwaters in Chilliwack

[@FishingwithRod]

Beauty.

[@Humpy85013]

Hey Rod -- great video! You've got a new subscriber. I'm working on landing my 1st steelhead. Everyone around here says steelhead are very line-shy, and centerpinning with 0.22mm or smaller flouro is the only way to go -- that's 4-6lb depending on the brand. The theory is that you get more bites, and the 13' rod makes up the difference in line strength. My preference is always to use the strongest line I can, but every angler has different advice. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that, perhaps in a future video!

[@FishingwithRod]

The setup you’ve described is more commonly used in Eastern Canada, is that where you are fishing? If you use setups that light in BC rivers for steelhead, you’d have a very hard time landing them and when you do, they’d be hard to revive if needed to be released. The rivers are just quite a bit bigger, deeper and more turbulent, and the fish can get as big as 20lb.

[@Humpy85013]

@@FishingwithRod I'm in western NY, mostly fishing small streams -- but I've seen a guy land 30" steelies that way (no idea what that weight would be). Generally is it correct that small, clear creek means thinner flouro, bigger, faster water means thicker flouro?

[@MichealBacon]

@@Humpy85013 Apples and oranges. BC anglers use up to 30g floats, that's nuts for eastern Canada. You'd have to tie on your boot to get the bobber balanced. We use 15g tops, and mostly 8g and 11g. And using 4-6lb is for generally for skinny or clear (or both) water. I fish gin clear water and routinely use 6-8lb floro successfully.

[@sydrussell5164]

Hey Rod, I’m new to steelhead fishing and love watching all your fishing videos. I have a question. what kind of rod and reels you had on the table? What are the rod specs? And do you use 15 lb mono all the time? Thank you

[@FishingwithRod]

Check out this setup Syd: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn6ynZZve7SFhq8 Also this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5aVh4l6r9Whick

[@billshao2147]

Thanks for the video rod! I am a new angler to steelhead fishing. Just want to know has the run already begun in Vedder this year? Any information would be appreciated, thanks!

[@FishingwithRod]

Hi Bill, the Vedder River winter steelhead season usually begins around early December, but in recent years the run has been shifting later and later. The fish are there in December but not in numbers, your best chance of encountering fish is in February and March. That's usually the peak of the return and combining that with slightly warmer water, success rate is higher. Good luck!

[@billshao2147]

@@FishingwithRod Thanks Rod! Really appreciate your reply!

[@averagesalmonfishermanbc8807]

Hey rod, great video and I have 2 questions, 1st do you put any weight on your worm rig? 2nd are you going to do any run scouting now that the rivers different?

[@FishingwithRod]

I don'tadd any weight to my pink worm. I'll be out scouting once the river is more in shape and when I am not as busy.

[@afishingmagician]

You know Rod, I always think I am tracking with you on your bait set-ups. I find myself thinking, yeh that's how I do it, and so most of the time I just like seeing the confirmation of what I already know. But the reason I watch your vids is that I know at some point I will learn something new, as was the case with this vid. I now know how to keep my steelhead worm from sliding down the shaft of my hook and splitting. The small bead was something I had not thought of. So thanks Rod. Always something to learn from you.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks FM! Good to know!

[@Makkankosappo]

Hey Rod. As a stocked local lake guy trying to move up from the little leagues, I've been studying your videos and hoping to target bigger game this year. I am aware that for Capilano North Van, it's catch and release only, regardless of wild or hatchery. But what about the Vedder? The regulations (at least the copy I have) does not mention "Steelhead" for Vedder and Coquitlam.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks Steven, for the steelhead regulations in Region 2, you can find them at: www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/freshwater-fishing/region_2_lower_mainland.pdf Hatchery steelhead can be retained from the Vedder River, the daily quota is 2.

[@averagesalmonfishermanbc8807]

Hey rod, I have always used clear drift floats on the vedder out of instinct, but do they make as much as a difference as you would think?

[@FishingwithRod]

They make no difference really, the foam floats catch just as many fish.

[@blueback21]

Good vid. I think a section talking about steelheading etiquette would be useful for sure

[@FishingwithRod]

Good idea.

[@mmooney6860]

i love flight fishing them

[@averagesalmonfishermanbc8807]

Hey rod, I was wondering if plunking spin and glows or plugs in the vedder is any use? I know its effective for coho and I wonder if its just as good?

[@FishingwithRod]

Not really. For one, the current is too fast in some places. Secondly, because the river is heavily used, you wouldn't be making friends by doing that as it interferes with other anglers. In the very lower part of the canal, it is used at times and can be effective.

[@averagesalmonfishermanbc8807]

@@FishingwithRod ill have to give it a try, thanks Rod. I do know a few runs that get very little people and are perfect.

[@Sweetaccord]

I have that rod Rod, it's a great rod. 😊 Loomis are great. Have 9 Loomis rods.

[@FishingwithRod]

9! That's almost as bad as me lol.

[@picassooutdoors7536]

I love my shimano tranx 300 so I had to buy another one, I’ve gotten 44” and 59” white sturgeon on my shimano tranx 300 ,

[@FishingwithRod]

Great!

Hi Rod, how often do you replace that 15lbs maxima on your Tranx?

[@FishingwithRod]

Usually once a year, sometimes a bit longer, depending on how regularly the reel is used.

[@amirpasha4107]

Hi Rod, Thank you for your helpful tutorials. I live in Vancouver and I'm new to steelhead fishing. Which part of the Vedder river or Squamish river do you recommend?

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks Amir, there really isn't one particular part of the Vedder or Squamish that is good for steelhead. They travel through the entire system, and the fish are really just spread out and it takes a lot of leg work to find them. The Vedder itself, has a return roughly around 2 to 4,000 winter steelhead. The Squamish River's return is in the hundreds, or less, so you really aren't going to find one spot better than others when there are so few of them.

[@amirpasha4107]

@@FishingwithRod Thanks for the reply, I will go to Vedder river this weekend.

[@FishingwithRod]

Good luck! 🙂

[@bermudezeg]

New subscriber. Out of Oregon. Have you ever fished the Fraser river? How big are the fish

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks for the sub Eduardo! The Fraser River is a large river system stretching across half of British Columbia. The short answer is that yes I have fished it, and you are targeting salmon that are heading to individual tributaries. The long answer is that fishing opportunities on the Fraser River are very limited now, most of the opportunities have been shifted to its tributaries which are more sustainable, to avoid by-catching endangered specimens. Fraser River chinook salmon can range anywhere from 5lb to 30lb+.

[@bermudezeg]

@@FishingwithRod planning a tribe next year around Lillooet area. You familiar with that water way

[@FishingwithRod]

I am not too familiar with the area. There wouldn't be any salmon fishing opportunities available, but the trout fishing should be excellent.

[@kfs4869]

Hey Rod ! How do you prepare those shrimp for steelhead fishing? Are the shrimp cook or raw?

[@FishingwithRod]

These shrimp are cooked already when they come out from the package. I usually salt them (just regular table salt) in a container for an hour, to drain all the excess water out before using. This keeps the shrimp firmer and they stay on the hook even better that way.

[@halminteljr5870]

So on your video you used that jighead and the shrimp together. i see you just cast it out and let the current take the shrimp? will steelhead and salmon eat a shrimp that is bouncing off the rocks? or does the shrimp have to be off the ground ?

[@FishingwithRod]

Your jighead is not bouncing on the bottom. Your float is adjusted so the jighead is suspending a foot off the bottom.

[@BM-mg6ku]

Bro do you use any weight between swivel and jig head.

[@FishingwithRod]

Yes kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5aVh4l6r9Whick

[@BM-mg6ku]

Bro do you use that jig under the float.

[@FishingwithRod]

Yep

[@dmak2828]

Just a thought..are these floats environmentally friendly or is it better to go cork?

[@FishingwithRod]

They're made of foam, so obviously not good for the environment. You can certainly use cork floats, or balsa wood floats (DNE also makes those) instead. They're just more expensive. I like to place more effort on making sure I don't lose any float, or as little terminal tackle as posible, by having my float depth always shorter than the river depth. This avoids the rig from snagging up.

[@raulmarquez5927]

Did you try owner mosquito bite hook the best

[@FishingwithRod]

Yes I use those mostly for trout fishing. I find them to be too thin for steelhead and salmon fishing.

[@logancoolper6258]

Could you please tell us the brand name of that float? I tried to find it but couldnt find ti.....

[@FishingwithRod]

Those floats are made by DNE Fishing Tackle. If you live in BC, you should be able to find them at most tackle stores. I'm not sure whether they are available outside of BC.

[@zekeisme1]

can you do another video on other techniques. never mind you pretty much got them all lol. i spoke to soon.

[@FishingwithRod]

Yeah there'll be more videos on other techniques for sure, like swinging spoons, etc.

[@JohnJames.]

Do many people fly fish for them? All these steelhead fishers float fish, I'm almost tempted to buy a new setup

[@FishingwithRod]

You can fly fish for them, but not many people do it, for a couple of reasons. One is that the river level throughout most of the season is not ideal (too high) for fly fishing. Secondly, it's the most heavily fished river in BC, targeting them on the fly would be much more challenging than at other systems where pressure is lower.

[@JohnJames.]

@@FishingwithRod wow I knew it was busy, didn't know it was the busiest. I've only fished dries for trout on it , and did terrible drift fishing any time I tried ( and I lived in Chilliwack) I'm in mission now , fish the stave more than anything , and there's a spot I know for carp fishing. Merry Christmas to you and yours,

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

I wish you specified which gear ratio and drag that tranx is

[@FishingwithRod]

It's 5.8:1

[@whackmanandbobbin]

Tails the best part!

[@FishingwithRod]

Yep. The alternative would be to trim a bit of the head off so the length of the shrimp would fit nicely along the hook, and still have the tail of it sticking out a bit. I just don't like to have too much of the tail trailing behind the hook. Too many fish have been missed because they only grabbed onto it instead of the hook.

[@derekswift7630]

Do you ever use jig heads when fishing with steelhead worms?

[@FishingwithRod]

Never actually, but have thought about it and I should beacuse I sure it works well.

[@derekswift7630]

@@FishingwithRod yeah I’m excited to give it a try this year

[@TheSnowManTT]

How long ago was this... I don't even remember you catching a steelhead last year....lol. 😱😂

[@FishingwithRod]

What! You believed everything I was telling you last season? 😂

[@TheSnowManTT]

@@FishingwithRod ok... First of all...shut up. Lol. Second... it's a whole new ballgame for everyone this year. Fishing spots/info are going to come with a premium haha. Thank God we like to walk. Lol

[@FishingwithRod]

I walk faster. 😂

[@TheSnowManTT]

@@FishingwithRod no lies there lol

[@dennissnegireff7570]

What river is that if you dont mind me asking

[@FishingwithRod]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3zKk6SZoZuYh5Y

[@dennissnegireff7570]

Thank you I'm from Oregon

[@allancrow134]

Put the 3.5" worm on the jig head. Bam. :)

[@FishingwithRod]

I'll have to try that! :)

[@chefitaly7339]

I wanna go steelhead and salmon fishin so bad

[@FishingwithRod]

Do it!

[@user-ue1pv1wv7o]

whats the point of a dislike button if you can't see any thumbs down.

[@FishingwithRod]

You’re disliking it?

[@EntryLvloutdoors]

No problem seeing the mono?

[@FishingwithRod]

What do you mean? By fish, or by the angler?

[@EntryLvloutdoors]

@@FishingwithRod do you have any problem seeing the mono?

[@EntryLvloutdoors]

Would you ever run braid with a mono bumper?

[@FishingwithRod]

Ah ok, I personally don't have a problem with seeing the mono. Some people do, and in those cases there are other colours to choose from. Maxima HV is a good one to go with, the texture etc is basically the same as Ultragreen but it's bright yellow. For braided, PowerPro braided also comes in different colours, yellow, pink, white are all good options instead of the green.

[@vanislandsteve]

👍🏻🇨🇦

[@FishingwithRod]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Bloomcycle]

Dead salted minnows 😎

[@FishingwithRod]

Can't use those in BC.