What is the Best Bait for Kokanee? [Maggots vs Corn]

[@justinteegarden9031]

Once I tried maggots, I never changed. Mixes with whatever scents you want in the water soluble variety, and it's the bomb!

[@yakhusker5914]

Just started using Gulp maggots. Used corn for years with great success. Love to mix the scents in corn. Shelf life on maggots make me lean more that direction but price of corn can’t be beat. Maybe you can do a video on the favorite Kokanee lakes in WA you fish. I have a kayak as well and would love to venture out more for the Kokes. Awesome vid as always!

[@kayakangler7683]

Pink GULP maggots with added oils. Haven't used corn the past 3 seasons.

[@dkat1108]

What added oils do you use ?

[@kayakangler7683]

D Kat My favorite scents are: 1) Pro-Cure Shrimp/Krill oil 2) Pro-Cure Water Soluble Anise Plus 3) Pro-Cure Kokanee Special 4) Super Dipping Sauce Krill/Anise I have 4 Gulps containers in the kayak with these scents added. I leave them in the kayak without refrigeration and they stay good. Unlike corn, no problems with them going bad. Just be sure to keep the lid on so they don’t dry out.

[@stevej2120]

Corn with tuna or other fish oil usually does best for me. Sometimes maggots work and sometimes they don’t. The best thing about maggots is they often stay on the hook if you get short bites. If you get bit on corn and don’t hook up, you might as well reel in because 90+ % of the time the bait is gone.

[@western-fishing]

Nice video thanks! I would like to see some scent comparisons too. Such as corn with tuna oil vs corn with krill oil or else:)

[@spiltmilt]

You read my mind.

[@Bykerboy26]

Has this test been done yet?

[@deej9367]

Thanks for your videos. I appreciate the time and effort that goes in to it

[@fishingthe509]

Strike at 1:11?

[@curtisyoungren3531]

I’d be interested to see a similar video with the corn cured. I personally wouldn’t run just straight corn with no scent. Also is I wonder if this would change lake to lake??? Another great video! Love all the edits and thought that goes into your videos!

[@jmyhre7340]

been awhile since I fished kokanee and we always used the natural colored gulp maggots. Never used the colored ones. We were mainly tipping jigs like the Gibbs Minnow. Maggots stayed on better than corn for us.

[@Badkharma21]

Love these comparisons, Tyler. great job.

[@groovetrench]

awesome man thanks, just moved to BC and wanting to learn to kokanee fish.

[@dustinrhodes1091]

Love your videos by the way always fun to watch and learn from! Keep it up👌🏽

[@thomassmestead2801]

Have always used corn, but picked up some of the Gulp maggots and willing try them out.

[@edwardandrews4005]

Good video. Both work but for me it’s all about which lure bait combo, leader length catches the bigger fish. I try to pay attention to that. The little guys will hit about anything you throw at them but the big ones can be picky.

[@galentorneby2480]

Didn't hazard a guess for what would produce, I have fished only with live maggots hooked through the "lip" so they don't die, they keep squirming for a very long time, have fished them side by side with no bait on an opposing rig, both rigs produced fish about the same never 50:50 but close.

[@countryboy360]

Do you have a video on how to scent the gulp? I want to try to do it but not sure how much or what kind of scent to add to the bottles.

[@timschwarze4842]

Awesome idea! Thanks for showing us!

[@dustinrhodes1091]

I like corn personally but whatever I use I never usually add scent to either 1 so it doesn’t matter to much to me

[@laurentiuluca7243]

You do an amazing job. Thank you

[@timmoore6055]

Not particularly surprised being that both are used. Curious too if scent would make any difference.

[@daviddorman4625]

Love your channel I'm from spirtlake idaho have you ever trolled for kokanee or land locked salmon there I've found it a challenge to catch the kokanee locals say it used to be good kokanee fishing 🎣 from waching your channel you seem to be the guy for the challenge if you have fished spirtlake any tips would be appreciated thanks for all your great videos Fish on

[@spiltmilt]

Never fished it but always wanted to chase those land locked chinook.

[@chriskennedy5726]

How many maggots do you put on each hook 1 or 2? Can you put one maggot on with one corn on one hook or is that you much?

[@spiltmilt]

1 per hook

[@cryptocash2529]

In this video what lake is that , I want to go there

[@spiltmilt]

Spectacle Lake, Washington

[@SVaya2018]

Nice video. Have never tried maggots but have thought about it!!!

[@spiltmilt]

Great to have on hand!

[@jimalbrecht8803]

Great video! I noticed that you're putting bait on both hooks. I've seen other people only use bait on the top hook. It also appears that you are hooking the maggots though the middle, instead of through the head like threading on a worm. I've tried two lakes so far... Skunked on the first lake, caught two on the second lake, with can tuna in water scent on corn. I tried maggots but I didn't put them on sideways. Maybe that's the ticket lol. Hitting American Lake tomorrow morning early. Thanks for the info!😅👍

[@jimalbrecht8803]

Update: My buddy and I fished on American Lake for Kokanee with no luck! We marked tons of fish, tried everything we had, hoochies, corn and various flavors of scented corns, two different flavors of maggots, various spinners, spin n glows, different depths, and speeds. Also we even had line counter reels, and I used your clip on weights system back to 40' away! We finally gave up, frustrated I might add, and after 11am, we targeted Rainbows. Started slow trolling with only a split shot 18" behind Pink Glitter and/or Rainbow Power Bait. It didn't take too long to limit out with our 5 apiece. Mostly cookie cutters of 11-12 inches with the exception of my buddy got one nice one about 14". It's a beautiful lake with lots of Bald Eagles everywhere! One old guy was loading his boat and said he caught a Kokanee while testing his new fancy electric motor setup he was getting dialed in. Said he was using a Brads Kokanee plug with tuna! He said he was only on the water less than half an hour! Naturally I guess I'll be investing in those expensive plugs now! I'm not giving up! Grim determination and rigorous perseverance is the order of the day I guess... at least for me!

[@jamesbarron1202]

That's beautiful country your fishing. Its flatland and hot where I live in Texas. I'd love to be rich and travel north in summer to fish and south in winter.

[@andrewhansen4179]

We still have snow on the ground here in the north country, and now the black flies and gnats have come out....next the darn ticks.

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@andrewhansen4179 that was 9 months ago when I posted during our hot summers

[@gwenfreeman7022]

have you ever used krill instead of maggots or corn? In BC, shoepeg corn is not widely available, so we use live or Gulp maggots as a staple, but for the finicky bite days, red dried krill is the go to. The krill is more finicky to put on the hooks but if you wrap it with elastic thread, it stays on pretty good.

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

Stop by my friends shop in Richmond if your out there.....Berry's bait and tackle....they dye and scent shoepeg corn in a nice bright pink...not too pricey either. I dab a tiny bit of scent on the corn and hoochie vs in the jar......saves my gear and hands from smelling so much I will only use krill foe bobber or bottom fishing....just doesn't stay on and elastic wrapping is a pain for so small

[@milehighhydroguy]

I am still stumped as when corn was approved as an acceptable bait in Colorado. When i was a kid growing up in Denver and fishing with my dad in the mountains on weekends the possession of corn while fishing was a violation and then one day many years ago it was suddenly ok to use corn. What and when did it change?

[@spiltmilt]

No idea. Sounds like a dumb law though.

[@Carlb328]

Have you ever compared with an un-baited lure to see how important it is to bait them?

[@spiltmilt]

I know from experience it 100% makes a difference

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

I started fishing kokanee blind with no instruction....slowly bought all the gear....snubers dodgers hoochies etc...for about 10 years and did pretty well...met and talked to experienced guys and started scented corn and will never go back.....10 to 25 fish a day vs 5 to 10

[@PNWpyrohead]

I reallize that every fishery is different, mine seems to like the maggots. Also, even late season they arent touching the garlic/BT, all action is coming on the krill/shrimp scent.

[@spiltmilt]

My experience on Kokanee Across America is the opposite. It taught me most Kokanee fisheries are the same. 😂

[@davidsnyder426]

Awesome videos! Getting ready for week long wallowa kokanee fish trip. What do you think about Macks Flah Lite gang troll there?? Seems like lots less drag than a steel fender.

[@spiltmilt]

The Flash Lites certainly don't create drag but they don't generate any action either so make sure to pick a lure that wiggles.

[@boba-mg5md]

I've noticed that the pink maggots r twice the cost then he natural ones , have u tried to die them urself. Thanks for all the great videos , u rock.

[@spiltmilt]

Ive not. I have not noticed a price difference here.

[@Joe04100]

You don't bleed your fish?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

Makes for a more family friendly content for film but any species as soon as you bonk them rip a gill out to bleed.?..do not smash their head just tap until they stiffen as the goal is to have them unconscious but the heart still pumping....way better flavour and they last longer on ice...15 years as a butcher

[@montanaoutdoors6217]

Ya know I'm new to kokanee fishing...and have been running corn on the back hook and maggots on the back. I was considering trying just one bait and leaving the rear hook bare...so if the attack that front hook always they can get thst rear hook locked in during the fight. Im sure you have heard thst theory, what ya think about it?

[@spiltmilt]

The concept makes sense but I like hedging my bets with a bait on each hook as frequently they will rip a bait off on a grab and if there is additional bait there they might come back and hit it again.

[@montanaoutdoors6217]

Ya tjat makes sense also...maybe I'll run a test haha..thanks fornthe quick reply your videos are great

[@Steve-bi2rd]

You should do corn vs no corn

[@stoweman34]

What are you putting your Kokanee in after you catch them? Straight in to a cooler on ice?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes cooler on ice

[@stoweman34]

Spilt Milt Productions Thanks Boss! Just got a 2015 21’ Seahawk; gonna take it on its maiden voyage at Merwin tomorrow. Just started Kokanee fishing last year and wondered if I should bleed them and clean them right away, or just do what I saw another guy do once…throw them on ice👍🏼

[@spiltmilt]

I bleed them by popping the gills and throw them on ice slush for best results.

[@jbkokanee1796]

I can't find gulp maggots anywhere! They are my favorite bait.

[@spiltmilt]

Yup stupid covid shortages

[@Bykerboy26]

So I'm curious. I've watched your videos on how to fish without down riggers. I am fishing a similar method as you but from a pontoon with a small trolling motor. With your line counting reel, how do you determine how deep you are fishing? If you are targeting fish 25' deep are you simply letting out 25' of line? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can't seem to catch these dang kokanee and need to figure out what I'm doing wrong. Thanks in advance

[@spiltmilt]

If I wanted to target 25' deep I would put on 2 oz of leader and let out 75-100' of line.

[@Bykerboy26]

@@spiltmilt how do you determine how much line to let out for certain depths? Or how much weight to get deeper? I just thought if I let that much line out I'd hit bottom in an area that's only 40' deep or so. This is all new to me.

[@robinshin15]

@@Bykerboy26 check out his earlier vids, essentially putting a 1 oz weight 100 feet back will put you at 10 feet deep, 2 oz at 100 feet around 20 feet deep, and so on

[@davidmcneill3964]

Thanks for another great video - I am curious about scenting the maggots - do you empty the Gulp liquid and replace with the oils? I thought it was that liquid that is what is attracting the bite. Maybe not - maybe it is just the shape and size of the maggot (?)

[@spiltmilt]

There typically isn't much oil in the jars to begin with so no I do not empty it.

[@codygray7791]

I was surprised plain corn out fished the maggots.

[@Steve-bi2rd]

What do you like better

[@spiltmilt]

Corn

[@ab-kv1ui]

Watching your video brings up 2 questions for me- what lake is that and what made you choose your kayak over the hobie pa 12 besides price point? If answered already, please point me to the appropriate video.

[@spiltmilt]

Spectacle Lake. Several reasons I chose Old Town over the Pro Angler. 1.) Weight. I car top my kayaks and the Pro Angler is about 20 lb heavier. 2.) I prefer the hands free reverse of the prop drive 3.) Warranty is 5 years on the PDL drive & lifetime on the hull, Hobie only offers a 3 year warranty on the drive and hull 4.) Price

[@kayakangler7683]

Spilt Milt Productions I love my Hobie PA 14. I also have a Jackson Koosa FD that is nice, especially with the upgraded rudder and prop. Both kayaks have pros and cons. I’m planning on adding one more boat to the fleet next summer, and I’ll be strongly considering the Old Town Sportsman line.

[@lcgilbertson4791]

In one of your videos you described your process of preparing your corn bait and mentioned using salt to help firm it up. Have you made a video of this process? Or can you elaborate on the process a little? I'm interested in trying it out. Thanks for you time and effort in producing these videos.

[@spiltmilt]

I've not I will do that soon.

[@lcgilbertson4791]

@@spiltmilt Great. I look forward to seeing it. Thanks.

[@joncalvo3591]

What about pieces of worm?

[@spiltmilt]

I'm sure it would work but a lot more expensive, dirtier, and difficult to deal with.

[@yardtoyard3001]

A little surprised

[@innadimchoglo]

Looks beautiful. What lake did you fish on?

[@daveschafer2555]

What net are you using?

[@spiltmilt]

Ranger Nets. They make a bunch of awesome rubberized nylon nets.

[@jimsutton5691]

I have a secret blend of oils and other things that seem to work great...the only ingredient I'll share because it makes me laugh it works is Tony Chachere's Cajon seasoning...lol

[@briang4583]

Converted from corn to maggots.

[@fishingthe509]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ryanbdykes]

Corn!

[@bradhunkins4848]

Maggots for the win

[@michaelwillis7080]

ive always done great on maggots.maggots will win

[@dustinrhodes1091]

Kinda expected the corn to win...🤷🏽‍♂️

[@macsmith2092]

I would bet on the corn.🌽

[@81baller209]

Corn

[@MM-mj2gw]

Everybody likes corn😂

[@freesoul1825]

This is 100÷ pure cokain let see if i get some fish....oooh i catched a hooker fish

[@randyharris1996]

Corn