Y
YoungWig
DrTheopolis;n598133 said:I'm far from an old pro, but I'm learning.
The two are different techniques (duh), and are for different situations. If you're on anchor (which is how me and mine fish the Columbia in the Portland/Troutdale area), it's about getting it down an putting it in front of fish that pass by. Typically, this time of year, in the warm water, the fish often run deep, 40-50 feet, depending on where you are in the river (which limits your spots to fish, since anchoring in the shipping channel = unsmart). Difficult to get trolling gear that deep, so anchor it is. The advantage of wobblers (I usually go for a spinner, my buddy drops a wobbler, they seem to get hit about equally), is that they swing back and forth, thus showing itself to a little wider swath of water. The spinner makes a little vibration, which is a different attractor. For me, the huge amount of weight it takes to get down past 40' kind of takes a bit of the fun out of it, but that's what it takes to get down in that kind of current (10oz gets down in 40-50 feet, 4-6 works at shallower depths).
I've heard great things about the Super Baits, but my friends trolling down at B10 all stick with the tried-and-true anchovy/herring, but they seem to be running them behind the Pro Trolls these days. I guess the Pro Troll makes a big circle, rather than spinning (flasher), or side-to-side (dodger). I don't imagine a Pro Troll would work well with a spinner (but I don't know for sure). I might have to make it down to some coastal bays soon, but probably not until the bulk of the Columbia fish go over Bonneville (just hitting prime time on the Big C).
I did see a guy using a flasher/herring on anchor recently, which is something I haven't seen a whole lot of.
And has anyone else been fishing the Columbia upstream lately (aka "The Dead Zone")? Been making a decent amount of fish, but getting them to bite in 70+ degree water hasn't been easy. Haven't seen too many people chucking the anchor very often. Hopefully I can get out again this week, and give a better report than "had another one come unbuttoned."
BaldTexan;n598156 said:once I have enough confidence, experience and a more "big river" worthy boat, I look forward to anchoring and relaxing and letting the fish come to me.
DrTheopolis;n598158 said:But once you get above I5, and better yet, 205, there's very little commercial traffic (some barges, and it varies day to day), and even when it gets windy, there's little chop. It just seems like a much safer place to fish. We generally stick to the Troutdale/Camas/Washougal area.