i just picked up some of those cut plug superbaits today.do you guys use the line that comes on them?do you change the length or fish them right out of the package?

Change the line if you got one shipped in August or early September. The latest batch are supposedly tied using 40 lb izorline and are much better.

I retie with 6 ft of 40 lb Maxima.

it's tied with 40pound line they just got them in this morning.

I would definatley retie regardless of when you bought it...unless your in a hurry to get another one back out in the heat of battle. Better you be responsible for the quality of line/knot then whoever ties them day in and day out....then again, maybe they do tie more knots then we do! However, I am not burned out, 100 knots tied already, when I tie mine. Long story short, If you can, DO!

anyone fish vernita today took my mom out she caught a steelhead.used cut plug superbaits all day didn't do very good,

Tough day out there for us Sunday, we sorta stunk it up. We got two adults, 25 and 26 lbs and lost another fish after it ran off a long run and then came unbuttoned. Really didn't feel like there were many fish around at all. I usually go through a slow bite for a week at the end of September every year, I'm hoping I just hit the slump early.

FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

September 21, 2009




Hanford Reach steelhead fishery opens early; daily limit increased

Action: Open the Columbia River to retention of hatchery steelhead between the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco and Priest Rapids Dam.

Species affected: Hatchery steelhead

Effective Dates & Locations:

Area 1: Highway 395 upstream to old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers, Sept. 22 through Oct. 31, 2009.

Area 2: Hanford wooden powerline towers upstream to Priest Rapids Dam, Sept. 22 through Oct. 22, 2009

Reason for action: Returns of hatchery and natural-origin summer-run steelhead to the Upper Columbia River have far exceeded the run criteria of 9,300 counted over Priest Rapids Dam required to open a conservation-based fishery under the Endangered Species Act.

This action allows anglers to retain hatchery steelhead prior to the Oct.1 opening listed in the Fishing in Washington Sport Fishing Rules (Page 76) for the Hanford Reach from the Hwy. 395 bridge to the old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers (i.e. "Lower Hanford Reach"), and removes the requirement for both an adipose and right ventral fin clip for hatchery steelhead retained in October. The Lower Hanford Reach below the old Hanford townsite will remain open for hatchery steelhead fishing after Oct. 31 under the current permanent regulation listed in the pamphlet.

In addition, the Upper Hanford Reach, from the old Hanford townsite powerline towers upstream to Priest Rapids Dam, will open for retention of hatchery steelhead through Oct. 22. Steelhead retention in this area will close when the fall chinook salmon fishery closes. This marks the first time this area has opened for steelhead fishing since upper Columbia River steelhead were listed as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1997. Removal of excess hatchery steelhead through the use of a selective sport fishery is a wild stock conservation tool permitted under the ESA.

Other information:

Daily limit of three (3) hatchery steelhead. Minimum size - 20 inches. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose fin, with a healed scar in its location. Wild steelhead (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.

Information contact: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco), or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).



Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.

hey guys i've been fishing with a downrigger?in water over 30 feet deep i've been running 10 feet off the bottom under 30 i been running 5 feet off the bottom and letting 30 feet of line out before i clip? im new and pretty lost on all this what would you suggest i do different.

Sounds okay. I probably run a little bit farther off the bottom than that but only by a few feet. Just gotta get in front of some biters! The water ought to cool off soon and the bite will get a LOT better.

thanks starfish i'm going out in the morning to try it again

hello everyone wasa out at vernita today backtrolling plugs had no luck my question i have is in a boat how do you fish salmon roe do you back troll it?on a plug or by itself do you drift it or drop anchor or back bounce which i have not a clue how to do by i hear the term alot?????????

I generaly like to use a diver when backtrolling eggs. set it up as you would fishing herring (diver on a dropper/slider), and a spin-and-glo and killer eggs on the business end. just eggs works also (no spin-and-glo) hope that helps, good luck!

thanks i'll give it a go in the morning let you know how i do

Another option that sometimes works with eggs is (sort of ) boondogging. Instead of drifting with the current point the bow downstream with just enough power on to maintain steering. Set the weight to keep the line at a 45 degree angle. Probably best in no more than 25 or 30 feet of water. You can set the hook immediately since you are already have Mr. Chinook in the corner of the mouth.

went to white bluffs this morning with my eggs and left all my spin and glows in my other box at home so i tried putting some in a cut plug superbait no luck then tried some by itself no luck then i cut a fillet of sardine and got out the old flatfish and pow pow two adults.icouldnt beleive how much fight they had in them. fillets look great.im gonna give that boondogging a try sounds kinda fun.i just had one of those very lucky days even left my wallet laying on top of my boat came out of white bluffs got a few miles down the highway and beleive it or not it was still there