I'm currently using two 6.5' light ugly sticks but I'm not getting enough "bend" out of them to take up the slack on a release properly.
I'm not positive if this is a pole selection problem or a release problem. But as I've used several different release types and still not been able to get the bend I want without the line pulling out of the release, I'm leaning toward a pole problem.
Any advise?
Thanks!
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Sounds like a pole problem to me. I use 8 foot Lamiglas rods & get plenty of bend without pulling out of the release. I love the Lamiglas making the catching & reeling in a little more fun. I am sure there are other rods equally as good.
If your releases are adjustable, setting too much tension & the fish will never be able to pull the line out of the release.
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I was having a similar issue. I bought a couple of the Okuma SST Kokanee rods for $49.99 at Sportsman's and love them! They also really helped put on the novice issue of putting too much pressure on hooked Kokanee .
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Yes, I already have the problem of having to watch the releases for "signs of fish" on the pole.
Cutthroat are notoriously lame fighters though. I think most downrigger users have pulled a cutty on a line for a while without a release.
Are your poles lights or ultra-light? Frankly I like 10lb line on my downrigger poles because I do catch some very big fish on them (e.g. the one in my avatar).
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For most downrigging applications I like at eight and a half foot medium light rod. For kokanee fishing I like the seven and a half foot Cabelas ProGuide ultralight which gives plenty of bend but still has a good backbone. If you're having trouble detecting a light bite or smaller fish on your rigger I would go to a longer downrigger release than the standard 9 inch ones that you can buy commercially. I made mine out of 80 pound dacron and they're 3 feet long. They are much more sensitive and allow you to see what's going on under the water much much easier. Just my 2 cents.
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I would use at least a 7' rod . I've been using the new blue velocity rods and really like them . my friend likes the 7 foot cabelas wuppin sticks in the ultra lite weight..they are very low cost.as far as the bend in the rod taking out all the slack in you line when it pops off the release clip and setting the hook. that's not possible there is just to much line out . the fish will set the hook on it's self as it pulls on the release clip. so I would say use heavier release clips and a longer softer rod and you will be happier.
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I make my own Koke Rods and use the big scotty release, I watch the rods all the time when the fish hits I pull the line out of the release
that way I don't lose a lot of kokes (and I can see if a 4" fish is on it).
my rods when loaded looks like they will break in half.
what fun It is to pull in a 4 lbs Koke it fills like 10 lbs.
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I really like the Lamiglass Jared Johnson rods, $80 at Sportsmans, for all the reasons mentioned. (You would think they were made for Utah koke fishing [
]. ) You'll get all the bend you want out of them.
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Velocity rods are new and take the place of the red lamiglas rods. You can see them at anglers den in Roy, Utah and go to the Rocky Mountain tackle web site and see them There. If your interested in making a purchase, send me a pm and I can get you hooked up.
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For the past 10 years I have done a lot of fishing for Kokes both, at strawberry and at the Gorge. My favorite setup is 7.5' ultralight ugly sticks connected to Chamberlain releases at the ball. For stackers I use the Scotty snap-on clips with Scotty releases. The ultralights take a nice bend and have held up very well with heavy use ... Except for the tip guides which I replace with better ones.
To me the chamberlain release is more important than the rod, but the rod does need to be at least 7' and light or UL.
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[quote trueblue2] My favorite setup is 7.5' ultralight ugly sticks connected to Chamberlain releases at the ball. For stackers I use the Scotty snap-on clips with Scotty releases.[/quote][font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 3]Ditto! Except I also use the Chamberlain stackers. Great setup and the rods are great. I can see the slightest tug that don't release with these rods.[/size][/#800000][/font]
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[quote trueblue2]For the past 10 years I have done a lot of fishing for Kokes both, at strawberry and at the Gorge. My favorite setup is 7.5' ultralight ugly sticks connected to Chamberlain releases at the ball. For stackers I use the Scotty snap-on clips with Scotty releases. The ultralights take a nice bend and have held up very well with heavy use ... Except for the tip guides which I replace with better ones.
To me the chamberlain release is more important than the rod, but the rod does need to be at least 7' and light or UL.[/quote]
I have the Chamberlain releases but I don't use them .
I have had people on my boat they think they look neat.
but after using them want to go back to the scotty.
maybe I don't know how to use the Chamberlain releases.
I like to pull my line out of the release after a hit.
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Thanks for all the tips everyone!
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