Kokanee fishing

[Gone Forever]

IMHO you are good with 10lb mono, no need to go lighter I use heavier, 14lb test mono. It has never been a problem for me to catch lots of kokes at many different lakes in and out of Utah. I tie my own hoochie and leader rigs, I make lighter test than main line. It is much better to lose hooks than dodgers or blades. Heavier main line can then take a bit of abuse and still hold up, your weakest link will be the leader to your squid, lure, hooks etc. So if you break off just lose the cheaper part!
As far as blades I like Mack’s! They bought Shasta which is the original that many others copy, also like Luhr Jensen and Christensen rigs and blades etc., most of the time the 4 inch to 6 inch range lots of colors work, for a start tough to beat chrome with scale-lite and pink for me on squid is first choice but have a color selection to experiment. For tipping I use most of the time Berkley maggots pink and chart.. Have tried corn scented with many scents, worms real maggots wax worms etc, caught fish on most but for me Berkley maggots, they are  easy to keep, use and they have never failed since I started using them many years ago.
Soft rods are a plus, better to put money into a good reel than the rod. A Good drag with line counter is very helpful for setbacks and to keep lines separated to Reduce tangles when running multiple lines.
Check your connection and the line several feet up on your dodgers rigs for bucks or damage. I usually cut off a few feet and retie every now and then to be sure no weak spots near terminal gear to reduce chance of unwanted break offs.
Good luck

I hadn't considered using a heavier main line than leader, I will have to adjust.  Do you get hung up that much? I've rigged for lakers and you have to hug the bottom, lose a lot of gear.  I was under the impression that much of the time Kokanee are mid column fish, seeking the temperature they prefer.  I have a lot to learn.

Until then I have to stay out of trouble soooo, some toys to occupy the mind and hands.





I went with some white spinning blades to start, so I could color them with my pens.  I bought 50 hooks, so that will get me started.  Wish my dodger order would get here...