Steelhead

[GearJunky]

Hi all,

I am an avid multi-species fisherman but have never targeted steelhead before and would like to this season. They look like a fantastic fight and I love getting outside in this beautiful fall weather.

I am hoping that you guys can help get my feet off the ground by answering a few newbie questions for me. I know that Salmon make the run up the rivers to spawn and die. Is this the same case with steelhead?

I noticed with people fishing Salmon that unless they were on a pier chucking spoons, almost everyone seemed to be using roe. I would prefer to use artificial baits and I do not own any float fishing equipment.

My questions are:
1. What type of artificial baits work well once the Steelhead hit the rivers?
2. Are they similar to salmon where they aren't striking out of hunger, but out of aggression?

I live in the west-end of Toronto and any other advice would be greatly appreciated on here or through direct messaging.

Cheers

 

[staffman]

Salmon die after spawning, but steelhead live and spawn more than once. You do not need roe to catch them. A longer rod say 9.5' or 10.5' coupled with a spinning reel will do the job. The longer rod acts as a shock absorbor when fighting these powerful fish. You can use beads , pink worms , flies or jigs under a float to catch them.

 

[rich_ace_G]

egg imitation fly or beads. plastic egg clusters work as well. and flies that imitate baitfish, worm, egg and bugs.

 

[Calvin Loney]

Float fishing equipment can consist of just a float (they are cheap) and some split shots that you might already have, and then of course a hook. I paired this with a 6 foot rod and was ready to go. Mind you the 6 foot was alittle tricky. But it landed me many salmon through the month of October. And it really is something different fighting 20+ lbs fish on a rod that normally catches me a few pound bass

 

[Fisherman Dave]

Steelhead are known for being finicky. Use small hooks, light line, "invisible" (flouro) leader if you can with a micro swivel. I am a firm believer in always carrying a couple dozen worms with me, vs. my buddy who will use roe basically all day. If neither appeal to you I would use 1" yarn flies or clusters sacks, some trout flies/woolley buggers, small pink worms (I really don't know why pink, just going with the flow on this one, they work lol), and single egg beads (you put them on your leader and I personally jam a toothpick in there to keep them pegged 2" above the hook). Flies really seem to work when even the kitchen sink isn't, but still personally my ol' faithful is definitely a fat nightcrawler. Take a peak at your water, do you see eggs or flies drifting by? Match.

As for how to fish them, base that on the conditions and your ambition. Nothing beats some nice drifts and watching your float sink, however if you want to relax with a can and a lawn chair, if there aren't many snags around then go ahead and still fish/bottom bounce (make sure to keep your bait off the bottom though). You can do this with either just split shots, Carolina rig, or a 3 way swivel. Is there enough of a current to drift? If not, usually pointless to have your float sit in one spot. Is the wind going to impede drifts? Maybe stay on the bottom then.

One thing I feel like I need to add, and I feel like I am giving out a secret even though it is so darn obvious: if the 20 guys around you are all still fishing/float fishing using bait and NOT catching anything - USE SOMETHING DIFFERENT! If you want the fish and you are seeing none being caught using the methods most dudes tend to default too (float/bottom bouncing) then rig up a spinner, spoon, or small crank bait and start chucking. Can't tell you how many times I wanted to be lazy but my gut told me I won't catch fish the same way the 20 guys beside me are failing, throw on a spinner, and then next thing you know I got 2 on the bank and everyone is starting to change to spinners. Or vice versa, I was just super bored watching my rod tip to start bouncing and start chucking to kill some time and what do you know? Some of my most productive steelhead days have been off of lures, I'm DONE watching that stupid glow stick on my float before sun rise, I will always chuck till I can actually see the float, then I will float a bit, by then I should see around me what they are (or aren't) being caught on and then adapt. I know it's a catch 22, do you use what you know works and have faith or do you switch it up, me personally I switch things up frequently and have had success, maybe cuz I have piss poor luck and can't rely on the trout hitting my roe vs. the 20 other row sacks on hooks around me on a slow day.

 

[Paul1913]

Im all for trying out different tactics, but think of river etiquette too. If there is a bunch of guys float fishing ,don't start throwing hardware through their drifts.. IMO

 

[GearJunky]

Some great info here. Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. Here's hoping for a successful season!

 

[rich_ace_G]

Im all for trying out different tactics, but think of river etiquette too. If there is a bunch of guys float fishing ,don't start throwing hardware through their drifts.. IMO

and don't stand 2 ft from the next guy. one dude wanted me to move from my spot because I was taking a breather and wasn't fishing....

as for steelheads...don't chase them....if you happen to spot some....they have probably spotted you. That's why I always walk up to the water with stealth, sometimes I stop 6-8ft from the bank..and scout upstream, you will be behind the fish and hard to spot. A lot of people I know will give chase and follow them around....chances are you are only going to tire yourself and spook a lot more fish. Just hold the area and most of the time they come back in 2-5 minutes.

 

[Fisherman Dave]

Without a doubt, no hero casts, I have fully accepted we are only entitled a small section of river when we go out due to the popularity of this hobby now and I am content working that area and between float fishermens drifts, however just wanted to point out it works both ways - float fisherman sometimes turn their nose up at people casting and tend to prolong their drift through someones casting zone on purpose. No one way demands more etiquette than another in my opinion, fish however you want to fish, as long as you don't crowd someone that was there before you.

 

[rich_ace_G]

I dont' float fish a lot this year and the trib i go to have tons of "pinners" fotunately for me. I know most of the guys and sometimes I just like being there and not even fish. just "shoot s**t" before I find my own spot. Most people on popular pools where I fish would give invites that it's ok to cast. Funny thing is when I find a little spot and get a lucky hook up...it's only a matter of time before someone will be there.

 

[fisgfreek]

Thank God for shift work, there are days when nobody is around. I know it's going to be a great day when the parking lot is a ghost town. It gets better when the ice season starts.

 

[tossing iron]

You got that right Freek.
I love my mid week days off.
For doing anything.
No crowds

 

[Ibstacle]

I like float fishing with 3 inch pink worms. Spoons and spinners work well in late spring