What do you think is the best bait/lure for fall steelhead fishing?
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As a fly angler I would have to say it’s the Wooly Bugger, hands down. They produce fish all season long and they can be fished in a wide variety of ways. Swung, Bottom-bounced, Stripped, Drifted in tandem or alone. It’s not just a Steelhead fly either. It catches, literally, anything that swims. That’s my pick for the fall.
I agree that roe outfishes flies . I am talking about flies.
8 Responses to “What do you think is the best bait/lure for fall steelhead fishing?”
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March 5th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
shiny reflective lures
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March 5th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
As a fly angler I would have to say it’s the Wooly Bugger, hands down. They produce fish all season long and they can be fished in a wide variety of ways. Swung, Bottom-bounced, Stripped, Drifted in tandem or alone. It’s not just a Steelhead fly either. It catches, literally, anything that swims. That’s my pick for the fall.
I agree that roe outfishes flies . I am talking about flies.
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March 5th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
we do alot of steelhead fishing on the west coast in northern california and we use alot of roe. it is by far the best bait we use out fishes fly fisherman2 to 1
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March 5th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Kevin B nailed this – Wooly booger. I am also fond of ersatz egg patterns in bright colors.
If Fish _Steelhead sees this, he’ll give you some more pointers
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March 5th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
For fall fish, I start the season fishing spoons and spinners (sizes #2 / #3) that are pretty flashy. Usually that means a silver or 1/2&1/2 (silver gold). I like to use those early in the season because the fish are fresher, and generally more aggressive once entering the river system. Depending on the water level, and the lethargic attitude of the fish, I might change to a brushed finish, or something like brass, for a little less flash to attract more subdued fish. I tend not to fish roe until later in the fall season. I get more small 1/2 lb’ers than anything else early in the season on roe, as the larger fish haven’t keyed in on roe because the salmon haven’t really begun their spawning yet.
Small jigs under a float is a great producer when my "go-to" things aren’t working. I’ll typically use some scent or a piece off shrimp on the jig to add a little attractant.
Don’t limit yourself to one thing. Have al least one other option so that you can cover a wider range of fish. Steelhead can be VERY picky and completely turn off from any method that seems to be working well for the time being. Have a contrasting option – ie. shinny spoons vs. roe. It will make your fishing more productive.
Hope this helped… I’m not a fly fisherman, so I’m not sure if this is the kind of information you’re looking for.
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I fish, therefore I am. Oh whatever, I’m bored and at work….wish I was fishing…
March 5th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
I have to agree on this one, that fly fishing comes second when its steelhead, i mainly fish for them with a fly, but my point is, if its numbers you’re after a fly wont get you them, eggs work very well for steelies as do Luhr Jensen lip-less baits on occasions, mainly due to the treble hooks=less missed strikes, ive also taken them on flying C lures, but not as often as eggs. Ive used balls o fire eggs with some success, although i must say they do work better for trout, wait for FSH to sort the Q out.
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March 5th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
yup, definitely salmon eggs..we use them on the lake erie and lake ontario tributaries and nail ‘em…the trick is what kind of line you use..many people make the mistake of using a heavy line, all you need is about 6 lb test and some even use 4lb flourocarbon..
..oh, and being dressed in camo helps too..you’re practically standing on top of the fish sometimes
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March 5th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I caught my first one on fly (royal coachman) in fact. my first twelve over four years were all caught on flies. But, one drift in the Olympic Forest with twenty bites and fifteen landed told me that the eggs sack using an old nylon stocking sewn like a drawstring bag around an amount (about two tablespoons) of roe sewn closed and and then inserting the hook into the middle seems to offer more chances to net them than I would have ever believed.
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Maybe it’s a river or streams own preference is the correct answer.