THE SONIC BAITFISH™ FOR BOTTOM FISH BY JOHN KRUSE | MACK’S LURE PRO STAFF I stopped by the Mack’s Lure shop and spoke with President Bob Schmidt and Sales Director Bob Loomis.
This got me thinking that targeting these bottomfish at the surface would be a whole bunch of fun and with another trip planned for 2019 I decided to do just that.
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Last year I got the opportunity to go fishing with Tom Burlingame, owner of Excel Fishing Charters, for rockfish and lingcod out of Neah Bay, Wash. Our destination, the Pacific Ocean just off shore from the northwestern-most point of the lower 48 states. We had an incredible day catching limits of rockfish in 25- to 90-feet of water and I was amazed to see rockfish throughout the water column and a number of yellowtail rockfish were literally boiling to the surface.
Schmidt had fished this area before and suggested using some one-ounce Sonic BaitFish™ (SBF). He had great success catching rockfish with these lures jigging them vertically, just off the bottom, with the line tied to the nose and a hook on the tail end of the lure. Bob Loomis also recommended the SBF. Specifically, he suggested using a 1/2 oz. lure to target fish on the surface and a 1 oz. lure for fish on the bottom. His suggestion, casting out and slowly working the lure to make it flutter as it sank from the surface.
I FOUND OUT IN A HURRY THAT I WAS GOING TO BE HOOKED UP IN A HURRY JIGGING THE SONIC BAITFISH JUST OFF THE BOTTOM. — JOHN KRUSE
As for casting out, his advice was to figure out which way the boat was drifting and cast a good distance into the drift (similar to casting upstream while stream fishing) to maximize the time the lure woulud stay close to the bottom once it reached there. It turned out both pieces of advice were spot on! When I went out with Excel Fishing Charters again this
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spring, we found ourselves fishing close to shore in 30- to 60-feet of water.
This time around the rockfish were not on the surface, but they were suspended in the middle of the water column all the way to the bottom. I initially fished the lures provided by our guide, but eventually got a chance to tie on a Sonic BaitFish™. Casting out I had several hits as the lure fluttered down and if I didn’t hook up right away when I was halfway to the bottom, I found that I was more likely going to be hooked up in a hurry jigging the Sonic BaitFish™ just off the bottom. We caught multiple species of rockfish, as well as sculpin and greenling fishing a white Sonic BaitFish™ 1 oz. and I have no doubt I could have caught a limit in no time if given more time! Oh well, there’s always next year and I’m looking forward to seeing what else I reel up next spring fishing out of Neah Bay! Special thanks to Excel Fishing Charters and the Inn at Neah Bay.
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GARY’S FISHING CORNER
DOWNRIGGER FISHING FOR TROUT & KOKANEE BY GARY MIRALLES Targeting lakes during the summer months can be rewarding. However, fishing deep water required special equipment. Leadcore, weights and divers can help you get to the depths required to catch fish, but consistency can be an issue. Downriggers are obviously the most proficient way to work the thermocline effectively. They put you at the exact depth you require, and with downriggers, you can fish multiple rods and lures.
bottom lure, as mentioned earlier. The big advantage to the Shuttle Hawk™ system is, that after it’s released, it will plane back to the surface so you can reset it without bringing your downrigger up. There’s a video on MacksLure.com (link below) for a better understanding on how to use the Shuttle Hawk™ and it comes with an Ultra Release™ and a stop, as well. Now, after setting my second rod, I like to add a drop line to my stacked rods. A drop line is basically a 3-foot leader with a lure on one end and a snap swivel on the other end. I like to use the Hum Dinger® or spinners like the Scorpion™ or a Wedding Ring® for this particular setup. Take your snap and attach it to the line going down to your second rod, then toss it back behind in the water. The second lure will slide down to the middle of the bow on the line due to pressure of the water. So, now we have the entire thermocline covered with a total of six lures in the water. The fish can’t escape this setup.
A typical thermocline for trout and kokanee is 20- to 60-feet. With that in mind, I would run one downrigger at 60-feet and the second downrigger at 55-feet. I would also run a second rod on each downrigger, typically 10-feet abvoe the bottom set. That would put the stacked rods at 50and 45-feet.
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NEW BALL TROLL
WENATCHEE, Wash. — Mack’s Lure, Inc., manufacturer of popular downrigger trolling products such as the Shuttle Hawk™ and Ultra Release™ recently released the Ball Troll™. “We are happy to provide a product, which is used as a trick of the trade for many fishing guides,” said Mack’s Lure President Bob Schmidt. “The Ball Troll provides lots of flash and action without the drag of the attractor being in-line when you reel in the catch.” The Ball Troll, which has been fieldtested fishing for trout, kokanee, salmono and many more species throughout the country, is a long rotational flasher, designed to snap to your downrigger ball.
Here’s a typical set up with two downriggers, two fishermen, and two rods each:
When stacking, I use the Shuttle Hawk™ because it is by far the easiest and most productive way to stack two rods. What is the Shuttle Hawk™, you ask? It’s a downrigger release carrier. Attached to your downrigger cable, the diver takes your release, line and lure down to a preset stop placed on the cable, usually about 10-feet above your
PRODUCT RELEASE
This 26” troll is made of large nickel willowleaf blades and high UV beads, which will attrack fish from further away by combining a tremendous amount of flash and vibration, bringing fish right up to your gear. The high UV blue beads and red tubing, combined with the premium willowleaf blades, is proven to attract fish.
MACK’S LURE SHUTTLE HAWK™
CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO
The Ball Troll also includes an Ultra Release™, a simple, ultra-light downrigger release, which includes a tension screw adjustment to fit the thickness of your line and can be set light enough to relesae on even the smallest of fish. Now for sale online.
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SONIC BAITFISH™ (SBF)
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
CASTING SMALL METAL JIGS TO LAKE ERIE ROCK PILE WALLEYES BY CAPT. PETE ROSKO | SBF INVENTOR The first half of my 82 years of walleye fishing was spent trolling. The difference then, compared to today, is the rod was held by our hand and not by a rod holder. We caught more fish by working the rod. It was the drop back of the rod that triggered strikes, similar to the fall back of today’s metal jig. When jigging, almost all strikes are on the fall. In those days, we trolled Flatfish, June Bug Spinners, Shysters then worm harnesses. The harness with a small gold propeller blade was deadly for walleyes, bass and muskies. We made our own harnesses primarily because the ones on the dealers’ shelves were too heavy and stiff and were lifeless in the water. It was early April, 1988 when I received a phone call from an excited Capt Bob Hammer. Bob was a 6-pack walleye charter skipper based out of Port Clinton, Ohio. He also was a member of the Erie Dearie Fishing Team. The Erie Dearie was a weight-forward spinning lure that was sold in the millions during those years when Lake Erie was referred to as the “Walleye Capitol”, and still is, for its large walleye population. Cortland Ohio was about seven miles down the road from Mecca where the Erie Dearies were produced. It
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was in Cortland where I invented the Crippled Herring and the Erie Shiner, a main competitor for the Erie Dearie. But, that’s a story for another day. To this day, I respect Bob Hammer for making that call to me because he was on the competing weightforward spinner team. The information he shared with me, during that phone call, dramatically changed how I fish metal jigs to this day. The Crippled Herring was the first of three metal jigs that I have created. The other two are the Kandlefish and the Sonic BaitFish, a hybrid of the Kandlefish. A few days after that April call in 1988, I was fishing on Bob Hammer’s boat. Instead of driftcasting weight-forward spinners, we were casting 1/6 oz gold Crippled Herrings. By casting small, lightweight metal jigs over Lake Erie’s shallow western basin rock piles, it was almost a walleye on every cast. That is what got Capt Bob so excited! The design of that metal jig caused the lure to swim, flutter, glide and vibrate as it was being slowly bottom-bounced through the snaggy structure of those rocky reefs and rock piles. That type of structure attracted fish for not only spawning but also for year-round foraging. That same 1/6 oz gold Crippled Herring was also responsible for one of the largest smallmouth bass ever caught in Lake Erie. Sadly, Rapala discontinued that size almost ten years ago. Fortunately, Rapala’s loss is Mack’s Lure Company’s gain. The features that made the Crippled Herring so successful were enhanced with the design of its Sonic BaitFish. Fast-forward to present time. The western basin of Lake Erie is saturated with a variety or rock formations. Whether in Lake Erie, or elsewhere, these are fish magnets. When fished properly, the results can be outstanding! Working the right metal jig through boulderstrewn structure will make you forget
about trolling in a hurry! I feel this technique is the nearest thing to how fly fishing is approached. Basically, when casting micro metal jigs over a rocky reef, or any other anatomical structure, your success is based on how well you learn how to approach its particular architecture. The single most critical mistake made is losing contact with your lure when working it through structure. Without feeling your lure bouncing against the structure, the lure is moving more horizontally instead of vertically. It’s the vertical drop of the lure that triggers most strikes. Work the lure with a short rod lift, then short rod drop followed by a 360 degree turn of the spinning reel handle then repeat this sequence. Basically, a bottom bouncing rhythm is created. Last May, I was Lake Erie drift fishing with a good friend of mine by the name of Ray Steidel.
I was casting 1/4 and 1/3 oz Sonic BaitFish exactly as described in this month’s report. Ray was fan-casting a spinner worm harness. It did not take Ray very long to notice that the Sonic BaitFish was out-fishing his spinner. But, Ray never changed to a Sonic BaitFish. He was more comfortable fishing with a type of lure that he had used for over 30 years even though it did not produce walleyes for him. Unknown to me that day was that Ray was “taking notes” on my technique. Then, about a year later, I received a letter and
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photo from Ray. It showed Ray holding a certified 11.2 lb walleye with a glow white Sonic BaitFish in its jaw. This was the largest walleye ever caught by Ray in his 40 years of Lake Erie walleye fishing. It was also the first time Ray fished the Sonic BaitFish.
GUEST COMMENTARY
WALLEYE FISHING THE COLUMBIA RIVER | WEST KOOTENAY’S SECRET BY DANNY COYNE, MACK’S LURE PRO STAFF After seeing that photo, I immediately called Ray to learn his technique. It was the exact same technique described in this report. Ray was casting directly in the direction in which the boat was drifting and bottom-bounced the Sonic BaitFish back to the boat. It was tipped with a small piece of nightcrawler. Note: If your vessel’s drift heading is 2 o’clock, for example, then your cast should also be at 2 o’clock. This gives you a direct route to your target by eliminating/reducing a wind bow in your line and maximizes the feel of your lure against bottom. This technique has never failed me and can also be used off the stern of an anchored boat where casting is replaced by dropping your Sonic BaitFish straight down to the bottom. Once hitting bottom, bounce the jig away from you (down-current) until you no longer feel bottom. Retrieve then repeat. Casting reels work better when tailing the lure away from you. As always, thank you for subscribing to the Mack Attack. Look for more tips in next month’s July issue. Capt Pete Rosko.
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When anglers think of premium Walleye fisheries they don’t typically think of Southern British Columbia as a fishing destination; however that couldn’t be further from the truth! The BC Kootenay region has one of the best-kept Walleye fisheries in all of Western Canada. British Columbia is home to the headwaters of the Columbia River, the longest river in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America. The Columbia is one of the most premium multi-species fisheries in all Pacific Northwest. The river attracts anglers from afar as it provides angling opportunity for several sport fish such as Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Mountain Whitefish, Smallmouth Bass and, yes, Walleye! Walleye were first introduced to the Columbia River system in 1960 when they were stocked into Lake Roosevelt in the USA, approximately 200kms south of the BC and Washington border. Over the past few decades the Walleye have migrated up river into the Canadian portion of the river between Waneta and the town of Castlegar. For years this Walleye fishery in the East Kootenay Region has been underrated, really only known to the locals. Now that the word is getting out and anglers are experiencing these fantastic eating fish for themselves, this fishery is vastly
growing in popularity. The Walleye population within the Columbia is very healthy and on a good day of fishing an angler can experience double-digit fish days. The population is so vigorous and to help manage this multi-species fishery the BC Ministry has currently set a daily limit of 16 Walleye per angler, with a 2-day possession limit. The average sizes of these fish are between 16-21 inches, (1.5 to 2.5lbs) which makes for perfect table fare. Walleye can be found scattered throughout the section of river from the Keenleyside Dam northwest of the community of Robson, to the Canadian/USA Border. However there are some sections of river that provide superior habitat that tend to hold more fish. When pursuing these fish, one will want to target slower moving water such as deep pools and large back eddies. Walleye prefer to reside near the river bottom in slacker water conserving their energy and waiting to ambush their prey. Access to the river is extremely easy whether one is fishing from a boat or from shore. The community of Robson offers 2 very well maintained boat launches that can accommodate majority of fishing boats. The primary area for fishing is the stretch of river from the Robson Bridge to the Keenleyside Dam. This portion of river offers slow moving water with deep pools and sandy-gravel bottoms that make it prime Walleye territory. Even though targeting these fish is most successful from a boat, shore anglers can have some success. BEST TIME TO FISH There are essentially 2 peak periods of the year that this Walleye fishery becomes very productive: Early spring during the pre-spawn phase and late summer/early fall before the cooler weather approaches. The third week of March to the beginning of May is a good window of opportunity to target pre-spawn
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fish. Once the water temperature starts to warm greater than 35F the Walleye start to migrate in. During this period larger populations of Walleye tend to reside in the Canadian section of river as they travel from the upper section of Lake Roosevelt. Walleye spawn once the water temperature reaches between 4350F. Once the spawn is completed the migratory fish will start to move back down river. Walleye require gravel and sandy areas to spawn, which makes the section of river between the Robson Bridge and the old Robson Ferry Ramp optimum spawning habitat. Please note: There is a fishing closure from March 1st to June 3oth on a stretch of river near Robson. The closure is from the Old Robson Ferry Landing downstream to a sign on the south river bank, approx. 950m from the CPR bridge. However, fishing directly up river from the Old Robson Ferry Landing is an excellent area to pursue these Walleye. In the early spring months the water level on the Columbia River is low as spring freshet hasn’t occurred yet. High river flows typically start in mid-May. The water conditions from Robson to the dam are more like lake conditions rather than a river. Due to the slower-moving water in this area an angler doesn’t require a highpowered boat. A 14-foot aluminum boat powered with a 9.9hp is adequate for the section of river above the Robson boat launches. The section below Robson requires a boat with much more power as the river current becomes stronger. Once the spring runoff is complete and the water starts to warm in late July the Walleye fishing starts to turn on again. The resident population of Walleye will start to prepare to forage for the coming cooler fall and winter months. Unlike the spring months where the fish are more locked onto one area of the river, you will find the fish scattered throughout the deeper pools. Anglers will have to cover water from the base of the Keenleyside Dam down to the Robson boat launch. Once one Walleye is
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located there is a good chance that there are many more within the same vicinity as they tend to school. When fishing in the later summer and early fall paying attention to weather patterns will help improve your odds in locating these fish. The old wives tale is usually told that Walleye are lock-jawed during the day and are only active during the evening so it’s not worth pursuing them during midday. The truth of the matter is that these fish are very light sensitive and they prefer low light conditions. Yes they are more vigorous during the morning and evening; however targeting them midday in the deeper water can prove good results. On cloudier or choppy surface water days the fish can be found a bit shallower as there is less light penetration. The rule of thumb is to start in shallow water (20 feet) in the morning and work your way out until you locate fish. When the sun grows brighter work out to deeper 50+ feet of water and when dusk starts to set in move back to the shallower water.
Bottom bouncing is a great method to use when trying to locate active fish. This rig is a trolling sinker intended to fish slowly while keeping bottom contact. The rig is made up of wire that is bent in a 90-degree angle with led moulded on the lower section and a snap swivel connected to the shorter arm portion. Attach a spinner or lure of choice with a 36 to 48 inch leader. Since the Columbia River allows live bait, tipping your lure with a stretched out dew worm will give the fish something they can’t resist. Slow troll less than 1.2 mph up river and always keep your line 45 degrees to the boat. The bite will come as a “tap-tap” then a strike. Don’t set the hook too soon as the fish tend to short bite the end of the worm. Wait until the strong committed hit, and then set the hook in a forward sweeping motion. Some of the best lures to use when bottom bouncing is the Smile Blade Super Slow Death Rigs by Mack’s Lure. These lures put off the perfect roll to the bait and an offset wobble that emulates a dying bait fish that the Walleye can’t resist! Jigging has to be one of the most popular and effective methods in the Columbia River when targeting Walleye. It’s wise to have a variety of jig sizes and colours ranging from ¼ to ¾ ounce jigs. The slower the water the smaller the jig size you can use. Tipping the jigs with dew worms or scented grubs is the ticket to encourage the fish to strike.
METHODS & TECHNIQUES Using quality sonars that can detect contours will help improve your odds in locating these fish. To keep your lure within the strike zone it is critical to keep your presentation in contact with the river floor. The most successful way to pursue these fish is from a boat, by either bottom bouncing a spinner rig or by jigging the river bottom. Whichever lures you chose to use it is important to note that the Columbia River is a single barbless hook fishery.
The key to jigging for these fish is not only to keep contact with the bottom, but to also keep your fishing line directly vertical below the boat. This will help you sense strikes as well as avoid snags. Minor jigging pulls between 4 to 8 inches off bottom will provide the right action to attract the fish. The bite will be subtle and more like a weight pulling down. Set the hook with a smooth vertical sweeping action. Stay tuned for part two next month!
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QUESTION
HOT DEAL OF THE MONTH
OF THE MONTH Have a question? We’d love to answer it for you! Shoot us an email at media@ mackslure.com with your question and you may see it featured in an upcoming issue of the Mack Attack Magazine! Q: I’m fishing for trout. How do I know which size of hook to use? A: That’s a great question! The number one thing you can do is to talk with your local bait and tackle shop as to the area of which you are fishing. Talking with the locals who fish those waters can provide a plethora of information, as well.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH Mack’s Lure Pro Staff Mark Lippincott of Lake Chelan Adventures shows off a trout caught on a casted Sonic BaitFish™ near Stehekin, Wash. on North Lake Chelan.
There are a lot of great lures that Mack’s Lure has to offer in regards to trout fishing, too. If you were trolling for 15to 20-inch rainbows, the preferred sized Wedding Ring® to use is a No. 4 while trolling at 1.8- to 2.0-mph. Trout like a faster trolling speed and a flashy presentation; that’s why our Wedding Ring® spinners work really well. Try using a Double D™ Dodger with a 24- to 36-inch leader behind the dodger and see the results. Another alternative to use is the Wedding Ring® UV Spinner. All fish can see objects in the water that are emitted from the sun’s UV rays. This spinner looks exactly like a Wedding Ring® Classic Original Series, but all of the components are high UV, which can be seen on sunny or cloudy days. If you’re looking for a lure with two hooks, our Ringmaster® Series is a Wedding Ring® with two hooks in a No. 4 size, as well.
PHOTO CREDIT: MARK LIPPINCOTT
VIDEO OF THE MONTH Mack’s Lure’s Bobby Loomis and Bob Schmidt catch limits of sockeye on the Columbia River with Angler West TV. The hot lures were Cha Cha® Sockye Squidders.
Happy fishing! Follow Mack’s Lure on Facebook and Instagram and tag us with #MacksLure. Facebook.com/MacksLure @macks_lure To submit your catch, send us an email at media@mackslure.com or tag us on social media using #MacksLure.
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