Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Nicole on October 22, 2006, 12:13:43 PM

Title: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Nicole on October 22, 2006, 12:13:43 PM
Hi,

So yesterday I hooked 11 coho, and 9 of them were jacks... I just don't get it!

So far out of the 19 coho I've hooked this year, 14 of them have been jacks... Is anyone else finding this as well?

I wonder why there are so many this year, normally i'd catch 1 or 2, and mostly adults.

Ideas? Anyone finding this on other rivers?

Cheers,
Nicole
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Sterling C on October 22, 2006, 12:22:07 PM
Maybe ocean conditions are so bad that the fish just decided to pack it in a year earlier  ???
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: GoldHammeredCroc on October 22, 2006, 12:23:50 PM
So far out of the 19 coho I've hooked this year, 14 of them have been jacks... Ideas? Anyone finding this on other rivers?

Isn't this meant to be an excellent sign for next year's return?  Lots of jack coho means lots of adults returning? 
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: *Lil Fisherman* on October 22, 2006, 01:05:56 PM
So far out of the 19 coho I've hooked this year, 14 of them have been jacks... Ideas? Anyone finding this on other rivers?

Isn't this meant to be an excellent sign for next year's return?  Lots of jack coho means lots of adults returning? 
If it is...then keep em coming fish gods!!!!
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Big Steel on October 22, 2006, 01:08:18 PM
Well, I haven't hit a Jack yet!! :o  Just 1 hatchery which I let go and 4 decent wilds. :)
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: allwaysfishin on October 22, 2006, 01:38:34 PM
back when i first began the move from bar fishing coho on the fraser to float fishing them in the vedder/chilliwack ( my god .... it's been 25 years since then), there used to be loads of jacks caught regularly, especially bar fishing. I don't know if it is a sign that next year will have a higher number of adults, but jacks can spawn with full size females so in low water years, seeing lot's of jacks is probably a good thing. I don't know a whole lot about what biologically causes a jack to be a jack but it's my understanding that jacks are almost always male fish. someone correct me if i'm wrong.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Nicole on October 22, 2006, 01:53:09 PM
Yes I've never caught a female jack in my lifetime...

I was checking the regs, and it says that retained coho need to be 25cm or more in length, some jacks yesterday were very small, but I think they were all bigger than that.

I have another question, the jacks are not mentioned in the regs at all, and I was wondering if 4 jacks are considered a limit, or are you allowed 4 adults and 4 jacks? I'm assuming a combination of 4 regardless of size.

I'm heading back out there right now, I'll let y'all know how I make out this afternoon...

Cheers,
Nicole
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Fish Assassin on October 22, 2006, 03:52:43 PM
Limit is 4 regardless whether they are adults or jacks.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: GoldHammeredCroc on October 22, 2006, 04:57:17 PM
There are female "jacks" out there.  They are called Jills actually.  With coho, its 99% a male but other species like sockeye can have Jills and Jacks.  The industry terms them these names when they are just under a certain size limit.  Systems like the Chilko has a numnber of smaller sockeye that spawn in it.  Other systems have bigger fish like the Adams.  They are just big and small but they are all capable of laying eggs or fertilizing them.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: jetboatjim on October 22, 2006, 06:27:35 PM
its only the small fish that can make it through the nets.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Hook Set on October 22, 2006, 06:31:43 PM
Thats true. Im still looking for my first coho of the year, so ill take any
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: leaping steely on October 22, 2006, 06:58:34 PM
Nicole, I find it interesting that you've hooked so many Jacks. All the Coho I've hooked or seen this year have been pretty big, being the average around 10 lbs. As well, have seen a few monsters lurking about, just can't connect with them yet.  ;)
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Fish Assassin on October 22, 2006, 07:26:02 PM
I agree with FishFreak. Jacks are delicious tasting. I much prefer eating them than the big ones.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Stratocaster on October 22, 2006, 09:56:49 PM
Yup,  I've hooked 30 jack coho this year.  More than in any other year.  They do love roe though and boy are they ever stupid!  The only adult cohoes that I have caught this year have been on another river.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Long_Cast on October 22, 2006, 10:12:53 PM
Nicole, what method did you use to catch the cohos in the Vedder this time? Flyfishing, drifting bait with a float or casting lures?
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Nicole on October 22, 2006, 10:34:52 PM
Well I just returned from an evening out, and only managed one coho, a 4 pounder which was a hatchery and I lost it right at the beach, AGAIN. That's 4 now I've beeked off at the beach one I saw the lack of an adipose fin! Argh. Also hooked a very clean doe chum, which I released.

I've been flyfishing, using olive crystal buggers yesterday, and before that black muddlers... I have no idea why I'm getting so many, they sure hammer the fly!

And yes they do taste good, baked two of them the other night, i'd say even better than adult coho...

Cheers,
Nicole
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Xgolfman on October 23, 2006, 03:13:25 PM
I hate you...  :-*   just kid'n....Of course, I guess i'd have to actually fish the Vedder or a system with ho's to have a chance at catching any...would rather wrestle chums then gong show it..but your still using the boat aren't you????.....damn now I really hate you... ;D
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: younggun on October 23, 2006, 07:46:10 PM
haven't hooked a coho all year! Are u fishing the upper lower or middle! No spots, just areas!
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Nicole on October 23, 2006, 08:44:49 PM
lower, between the CnR bridge and the mouth. Both by boat and on foot. I have another spot upriver, but it will soon be unreachable when the waters rise this week... Fish are kind of booty upriver anyways...

Just stay away from the springs, and you'll stumble across them... Keep in mind I've put some serious hours in, going to all froggy places... Focusing soley on coho. I have managed a couple of springs that are quickly broken off. Too much for a 7 wt.

Where ever I see big springs rolling, and alot of chum, I fish the edges and second rate water, and and pass over the prime parts of the runs in search of the more coho friendly water.

Cheers,
Nicole
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: younggun on October 23, 2006, 09:38:56 PM
k u gusy need to tell me where these fish are! i haven't hooked a coho, jack of adult all year, please tell me! Email me something! droussanidis@hotmail.com
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: troutbreath on October 23, 2006, 09:41:09 PM
"AGAIN. That's 4 now I've beeked "

OK :-\
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: younggun on October 23, 2006, 09:54:22 PM
i try to fish the area's where there aren't that many chum and no springs, but there are so many of them. The only coho i saw was past the KWB. The run bellow it. It was hanging in the tailout, just next to the bank i sent the smallest spinner to it. And it bit and i was playing it and it came off so! I hooked one just didn't land it! But seriously its pretty bad for me!
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: GoldHammeredCroc on October 24, 2006, 06:25:36 AM
Thats more luck than I have had this year and probably most others at least.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Gooey on October 24, 2006, 06:51:06 AM
If you think of those jacks, they are much smaller than their 3 or 4 year counter parts so my guess is that they have to compete harder to survive in a group where they are the smallest individuals.  Its only a theory I have but I think that this makes them more aggressive and easier to catch.

One thing to ask the fishers quoting their catch numbers, can you also include the amount of trips/effort so we can guage what type of a year you are having.  I have only hooked 1 coho on the vedder this year which sounds pretty weak, but I have only taken on trip.  I am curious to know how many trips you have taken Nicole?
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: younggun on October 24, 2006, 08:04:12 AM
i have 3 trips 3 springs 22 chum and a lost coho!
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Nicole on October 24, 2006, 09:53:01 AM
Quote
I am curious to know how many trips you have taken Nicole?

I think I've done 8 trips, averaging 6 hours each... Roughly.

Cheers,
Nicole
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: marmot on October 24, 2006, 10:12:31 AM
Those jacks will hit just about anything it seems, as long as it is small enough.  Every time we head out we get at least two in the 14inch range..we've kept one this year and it wasnt as tasty as we thought it was going to be so we havent kept any more.

Nicole when you lose them at shore are they actually at shore or a few feet out?  Ive seen a few guys using long handled nets, but it seems like a pain to carry around, plus you wouldnt want to net a wild fish for obvious reasons.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Nicole on October 24, 2006, 10:47:05 AM
I lose them as soon as they feel bottom on their bellies, they zip out and start doing the roll, then bingo, off.

It's difficult to keep them on when they're rolling right under your rod tip, as the hook slides out so easily. The first roll after the hookset is easier to keep them from popping off.

I'm thinking of bringing my rod tip to the side to keep them off balance.

Anyone have any techniques handling the roll right at the beach in the shallows? They seem to go a bit crazy.

Cheers,
Nicole
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: marmot on October 24, 2006, 11:16:04 AM
A guy I sometimes go with tires them out alot more than i do, his catches always seem to go alot easier than mine...i end up muddy every time :)  Im in the "bring them in fast" camp, but sometimes theyre just not ready.
Title: Re: What is with all the Jack Coho in the Vedder this year?
Post by: Xgolfman on October 24, 2006, 02:23:39 PM
I've been trying this but I'm not making any promises...I'm soft pumping the rod a couple times before shore to make sure the hookset is good, not trying to rip their lips off, just making sure the hookset is solid...If it comes out then that's fine as it wasn't a good set anyway...Just a thought..rod sideways too helps...You are much more accomplished then me though so I'm sure you probably do that already..