Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3823 Oct 25-Nov 8 | Page 11

Nor Cal Trout Anglers Challenge VOL.38 • ISS. 23 Hoochies: A Top Choice For Imitating Collins Lake’s Shad! by Cal Kellogg I don’t fish many trout and salmon tournaments, but when I do I expect finish in the money and hopefully my partner and I will be contending for the top spot. When the pressure is high and the money is on the line, I don’t “fish” the entire tackle box like I might during a fun fishing trip. Instead, I fish a few selected baits and lures that have produced large fish for me time and time again. I’m talking about baits like rigged shad and lures like Apexs, Uncle Larry’s Spinners and Speedy Shiners. Over the years, hoochies have become an increasingly important part of my tournament fishing arsenal. Hoochies are deadly because they are very impression- istic of baitfish. My “money hoochies” come from the folks from Silver Horde. When the money is on the line and I’m rigging up with confidence baits you’ll generally find one of my rods armed with either a Silver Horde Micro Squid or an Ace Hi Junior. Micro Squid Micro Squid are perfect for trout, landlocked kings and ‘kokes. The squid are 1.75 inches long. They come in a long list of standard, ultra violet and glow colors. Slip them on a double hook leader, toss a dodger into the mix and you’re ready to fish! Ace Hi Fly “Junior” An Ace Hi Fly is like a hoochie wearing a tuxedo, basically a greatly dressed up version of the old reliable plastic squid. Ace Hi Flies come with a hard bead head that boasts lifelike eyes. The skirt utilizes a hoochie, but adds to it with synthetic flash. Ace Hi Fly Juniors come either rigged or unrigged. The flies are 2 inches long. I generally go with the unrigged version and run them off double hook leaders. For more visit Silver Horde online at www.silverhorde.com. Oct 25 - Nov 8, 2019 9 Shore Casting With A Dick Nite Spoon? by Cal Kellogg W ith Collins Lake’s robust baitfish population, Dick Nite spoons are a great option but if aren’t trolling from a boat how can you make use of these small thin spoons that offer little in the way of casting weight? One solution is to team those light spoons with some weight in the form of split shot to allow for comfortable long range casting. The problem with this approach is that to present an offering anywhere near the surface you have to retrieve line quickly before the rig sinks off the map. Unfortunately, when using the small spoons, fast retrieves generally aren’t what you want. The best solution to the problem comes in the form of a clear plastic bobber or “casting bubble” as they’ve been dubbed by some. I call the approach the ‘ol clear bubble trick. The clear bubbles that I’m referring to are oval in shape. The bubble has a hole at either end and a tapered hollow spike wedges into those holes. Your main line can be threaded through the spike. Basic bubble rigging goes like this. Take your bubble and pull the spike out exposing the holes. Submerge the bobber in water and shake it around to force out the air and let in water. Without removing the bobber from the water, shove the hollow spike through the holes until it is firmly wedged, trapping the water inside. It’s this trapped water that is going to add casting weight to your rig. Next thread your main line through the hollow spike impaled in the bubble. After passing the line though the spike thread on a plastic bead and then knot on a small black swivel. Tip the swivel with a 24 inch section of 6 lb. fluorocarbon leader material and tie on a small Dick Nite. Now you’ve got a rig that offers a lot of weight that makes long range casting possible. Once the rig splashes down, the neutral buoyancy of the water filled bobber makes it easy to work just beneath the surface even with a super slow retrieve. For more information about Dick Nite’s full line of tackle visit them on the web at www.dicknite.com. Check Out Cal Kellogg’s 2020 Gone Fishin’ Marine Duckworth Advantage Sport At Collins Lake! W hat are the characteristics of the most consistently productive trolling lures for trout and landlocked salmon? I’ve spent thousands of hours trolling for trout and salmon over the course of my fishing career and I’ve had the privilege of fishing with some of the best guides and anglers on the West Coast. Based on what I’ve seen the best lures offer vibration, erratic, unpredictable or “skip beat” action and a baitfish like silhouette… The Apex Trolling Lure Based on what I’ve seen the best lures offer vibration, erratic, unpredictable or “skip beat” action and a baitfish like silhouette… The Apex Trolling Lure Based on what I’ve seen the best lures offer vibration, erratic, unpredictable or “skip beat” action and a baitfish like silhouette… The Apex Trolling Lure Based on what I’ve seen the best lures offer vibration, erratic, unpredictable or “skip beat” action and a baitfish like silhouette… The Apex Trolling Lure Based on what I’ve seen the best lures offer vibration, erratic, unpredictable or “skip beat” action and a baitfish like PRO-GUIDE V-16 silhouette… The Apex Trolling Lure Based on what I’ve seen the best lures offer vibration, erratic, unpredictable Trout ~ Kokanee ~ Salmon ~ Shad OFFICIAL SPONSOR 18 Proven Kokanee/Trout Dodgers! We carry the full line of Tracker Boats -- the world’s best selling aluminum Fishing Boat! Call or come in and we will find a model and price perfect for you and your family. 3809 (800) 759-1632 240 different size/ color combinations! 4 All Natural Scents... 82 YEARS of Catching Kokanee, TROUT & KOKANEE Trout, Salmon & Shad 100% Made in the USA • Accessories • Tackle • Service www.gfmarine.com or “skip beat” action and a baitfish like silhouette… The Apex Trolling Lure Without a DICK NITE... You’re Not Fishin’ Right! 3704 www.dicknite.com • fs@dicknite.com