Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: *Lil Fisherman* on October 10, 2005, 11:53:56 PM

Title: Fraser Chum?
Post by: *Lil Fisherman* on October 10, 2005, 11:53:56 PM
I was hoping to go bar fishing for some chum because I know they put up a great fight;however, im not sure how good the fishing is for them and im not sure of the best way to fish.any helps appreciated.thnx  :)
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: *Lil Fisherman* on October 11, 2005, 01:18:38 PM
And could anyone give me some instructions for how to use roe?thanks alot
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Rodney on October 11, 2005, 02:11:12 PM
Chum fishing in the Fraser should be good until the end of November. The best way in my opinion is to simply spincast for them like what you would do with pink salmon. The only difference is that you should increase your line strength to 10 or 12lb test. 8lb test will still be able to get you some fish but it is very tiring on your gear.

The spoons that I have had success with are usually the ones that are green or chartreuse. Pink or orange will also work at times.

Bottom fishing with roe will get you either coho or chum but it can be frustrating at times as there are other fish nibbling at your bait. Coho or chum takes are hard and quick, so if you are not setting the hook right away, they are usually long gone.

Fish during the incoming tide like what you have done with pinks. They usually start move in two hours before flood tide. Signs of chum salmon are easy to spot, surface rolls are very typical.

Right now the Fraser River water clarity is not ideal for spinning, but you should be able to fish with roe. Hopefully the water will clear up soon so we can have some good days of spincasting.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: *Lil Fisherman* on October 11, 2005, 11:20:12 PM
OKI,thnx Rod. Im gonna go out tomorow and hopefully catch some fishies ;D
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Rodney on October 12, 2005, 01:15:31 AM
Here's the roe setup for you, which should work well for coho, chum, bull trout, and just about anything else that likes to eat roe.

(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/album34/051012_G.gif)

The length of the leader can be adjusted. From the three way swivel to the weight, I usually use about 2 feet of line. From the three-way swivel to the hook (leader), I use about 1 to 1.5 feet. For main and leader, I use either 12 or 10lb test. The thickness of the leader doesn't really matter, as the water clarity is so poor anyway.

When you cast, try not to cast too far. Cast just far enough to avoid the snags near the rip raps from shore. Most of the fish are caught near shore, not all the way in the middle of the channel. Have a rod holder so that your rod is placed parallel to the water surface. This makes detecting the bites and setting the hook much easier. Having the rod straight up (perpendicular) would give you a sore neck as you have to look up to watch the rod tip the whole time.

When you're bottom fishing with roe, it is not necessary to use a 10.5' drift rod. In fact, using such a long rod can slow down your hookset, resulting in fish loss. A shorter spinning rod between 6 and 8 feet is sufficient for this type of fishing. By having a lighter rod, you can even just hold the rod while sitting in your chair. This allows you to detect the bite immediately.

For the roe, secure it on the bait loop. You may also wish to use roe sacs (simply cut off a chunk of roe and tie it into a sac). A few years ago I watched Steelhead King tying up a roe sac that was almost the size of a golf ball and landed a large bull trout as a result.

Avoid using small hook, try using hooks around sizes 1/0 or 2/0. This allows you to make precise hooksets, as well as avoiding fish that you are not allowed to keep from swalloing your hook. Bull trout is well known for sucking down roe deeply.

Don't waste your time if you start getting small nibbles from coarse fish. Reel the roe in and recast to a new spot, otherwise you'll just be donating roe.

You are allowed to use two hooks on your line, but I prefer to use one so the use of roe is minimized. By having two hooks, you will not be able to set the hook precisely.

Know what you can keep. You can keep:


But, you can only keep four salmon in total in one day, not 14. :)

You must release all wild coho salmon, sockeye salmon, wild cutthroat trout, bull trout/dolly varden, wild steelhead.

Please go to this page (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/051005-1.html) if you do not know the difference between a hatchery and a wild coho salmon.

I think that's about it. If you want to read more, go to this section (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/saltwater.html).
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: BwiBwi on October 12, 2005, 01:33:08 AM
And you might want to add a spin-n-glow too. if clarity is bad.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Rodney on October 12, 2005, 01:39:18 AM
Spin n glow is rarely used down here because the flow isn't strong and consistent enough to create a good spin. The roe by itself creates a scent trail that is enough to lure in a fish to bite. That's why two hours before peak tide, or two hours after peak tide is good as the current carries the scent away from the roe. Spin n glow is usually used in the Chilliwack to Hope area as the water flow is constant, and it is usually effective when the water is clearer. This time of the year in the Fraser Valley, many will hook on a roe sac with the spin n glow on as well to entice a spring jack, coho or even steelhead.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: BwiBwi on October 12, 2005, 01:44:50 AM
True. spin-n-glow down here needs to be small and when tides change.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Rodney on October 12, 2005, 01:56:19 AM
No, the small spin n glows are mainly used in streams such as the Vedder River actually. They are either used in float fishing or bottom bouncing (not flossing, but American's driftfishing method). Very effective for steelhead.

Trust me, Tide current down here will not produce a consistent spin on the spin n glow. Too often I see many people complicate their rig, which only results in more tangles and less fish. ;)
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: BwiBwi on October 12, 2005, 02:12:16 AM
Damn and I actually took the time to make some spin-n-glow from wine corks. Oh well all's not lost. At least I got one piece of the puzzle when steelhead season comes. When's that anyways? Never caught one before.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Ramstrong on October 12, 2005, 05:09:16 AM
If there's any current at all, try plunking a kwikfish/flatfish type plug.  Chums can't stand them and destroy them any chance they get.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: *Lil Fisherman* on October 13, 2005, 04:58:01 PM
If there's any current at all, try plunking a kwikfish/flatfish type plug. Chums can't stand them and destroy them any chance they get.
do you have any pics of what they look like,i might have some
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Rodney on October 13, 2005, 05:00:59 PM
*Lil Fisherman*, unless you have a boat, fishing with kwikfish/flatfish plugs do not work too well by shore fishing down here. They are more effective around Chilliwack/Hope area. Stick with roe, I think the next couple of weeks it will pick up.

While on the topic, I phoned Chris a couple hours ago and the first thing that came out from the other end was, "Fish... fighting fish.... hold on, here's Nick..."

They were barfishing today, and was successful with a variety of species. ;) A report and photos are coming soon tonight. ;) This is just a teaser. :)
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: *Lil Fisherman* on October 13, 2005, 05:09:13 PM
Lol,haha ok ill be waiting ;D
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Ramstrong on October 13, 2005, 06:26:14 PM
I don't know if I necessarily agree Rodney.  The current up high is ripping.  Probablly better for a Tadpolly type plug.  If the current is between 1-3 mph, a Kwikfish will reign supreme.  You just need "Some" current.  I used to fish them in the tidal Columbia all the time, I can't see them not working in the tidal Fraser.  Plus it'll let you save your egg supply for more tableworthy fish. 

The top lure is how you'd want to rig it for the fraser.  You don't need a lot of wobble to catch fish, just make sure you've got a rattle kwikfish.  load it up with smelly jelly on the underside and let it work it's Chum/Chinook catching magic.
(http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/uploads/UP4908.jpg)
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Rodney on October 13, 2005, 06:29:05 PM
This would be doable from shore? If so I'll give it a go when time permits. ;)

<gasps!> treble hook! ;)
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: pontooner on October 13, 2005, 06:49:24 PM
try the surrey dock or any other with the kwikfish
 
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on October 13, 2005, 06:53:43 PM
Ya but with such little weight on these things how do you cast them?
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: THE_ROE_SLINGER on October 13, 2005, 07:30:21 PM
I was thinking of trying these this year.  I was going to just put some pencil lead a few feet up the line and cast and retrieve it like a spoon. I usually use them trolling for trout but never the retrieve.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: dennyman on October 13, 2005, 09:54:00 PM
Anyone have an idea what size kwikfish those are in the pics?
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Sam Salmon on October 13, 2005, 10:43:23 PM
You just need "Some" current.  I used to fish them in the tidal Columbia all the time, I can't see them not working in the tidal Fraser.  Plus it'll let you save your egg supply for more tableworthy fish. 

The top lure is how you'd want to rig it for the fraser.  You don't need a lot of wobble to catch fish, just make sure you've got a rattle kwikfish.  load it up with smelly jelly on the underside and let it work it's Chum/Chinook catching magic.


Hmmm....... ;)
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Ramstrong on October 14, 2005, 09:03:53 PM
Please forgive my poor drawing skills.  But I've done my best on illustrating this procedure.  You'll need a bar weight, swivel, large bead/lil corkie, two duo locks and a kwikfish.  When plunking kwikfish, I like using a #40 main line, #20 Lead dropper and #30 leader.  My leaders are normally 4-5' and you can experiment with the dropper to get you in the travelling lane.  You start by sliding the bead up your line and tying it off to the swivel.  Then you can add your dropper and weight.

(http://mysite.verizon.net/ryandsar/fishpics/Slide1.jpg)

Cast this out and make sure it anchors itself in the river bed.  Then you can tie a leader with two duo locks on each end.  Snap the kwikfish on one end and tune it.

(http://mysite.verizon.net/ryandsar/fishpics/Slide2.jpg)

Then clip the other duo lock on your main line and make sure you snap the duo lock!  Don't ask me how I know this ;)  you drop the kwikfish in the water and the plug will ride itself down to the bottom of the belly in your line.  The bead is to kee from losing the rig, and protecting the knot when fighting a fish or reeling in.

(http://mysite.verizon.net/ryandsar/fishpics/Slide3.jpg)

I hope you follow the thought process here.  If not, feel free to ask any questions.  Make sure to tune your plug and Chums will destroy it.  The sizes normally used for salmon fishing are K-13 - K-16.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: No_way on October 14, 2005, 09:15:37 PM
Wow!  You needn't apologies for your drawing skills.

But the one thing I don't understand is that all of the Chums I've ever caught in the Frazer have been gross and spawned out.  How late in the season can you catch good chums, and how low in the river do you need to be?
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Big Steel on October 14, 2005, 10:42:59 PM
Well I was at Patello last weekend and saw many chrome chums headed up river!!!!!  So I was just a bit ticked at myself that I didn't have my spinning pole with me.   Does that help you at all.  Also I think that you migh have a couple of weeks left????  Could be wrong on that one though.  I don't fish for them that much!!!  But if you want some fresh chum you might want to take a drive up to the Squamish for them.  How are the chums up on the Squamish Rodney???? ;D ;D would you like to show us again????? ;D
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Rodney on October 14, 2005, 10:45:12 PM
Nice illustrations Ramstrong, the setup is what I thought it would be. That would work great on the boat in the tidal Fraser, and a couple of shore spots around here (No. 3 road pier would be an ideal place to do it if anyone wants to go try). Most of the shore spots in tidal Fraser where I fish lack the current to create a good action on those.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: THE_ROE_SLINGER on October 15, 2005, 12:06:34 AM
wow, great illustrating, i may have to go give this a try.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: THE_ROE_SLINGER on October 15, 2005, 12:19:13 AM
also, what do you mean by "tune it" if you don't mind me asking.Thanks
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: Ramstrong on October 15, 2005, 12:11:14 PM
On the Columbia we would look to inside bends of the river.  The current picks up, and it concentrates the fish.  We fish kwikfish all the way down to where there's salt influence on the river at Tounge Point.  Like I said earlier, all you need is some outgoing current to make these lures work.

Tuning makes a lure swim straight.
The K 14-16 plugs have an eye that's screwed into the plastic.  Take the plug and rip it through the water as fast as you can to make sure it's running straight.  If it isn't, you use a pair of pliers to move the hook eye in the opposite direction the plug is pulling in the water to make sure it is running true.

Two other tips I've forgotten to mention is to not set the hook on the fish until line is peeling off of your reel.  What they do is swim up and rag doll the lure by shaking their head.  If you set when they're rag dolling it, you stand a good chance of pulling the hook free.  After a bit of rag dolling, they turn down stream and swim away with the lure,  this is when you want to set the hook.   Also if you want to add more scent to the lure, you can add a piece of adhesive backed velcro to the bottom of the lure.  This is a good spot to add scent.
Title: Re: Fraser Chum?
Post by: redlad on October 15, 2005, 05:36:27 PM
Sonds like Ramstrong has fished kwik/flatfish alot.  We used to use this exact same method on the Thompson 25 -30 years (I was wee ;)), for trout.  Worked awesome!  I will have to try it.  I bet it would be deadly in the Stave!  just for fun.

How long do the Chum run strong in the Stave anyway?  I have holidays in 2 weeks.  It must be worth a try then?????