Steelhead advice
#6240510
05/15/18 07:50 AM
05/15/18 07:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405 Michigan
BullOx
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405
Michigan
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I've been trying to catch a steelhead for awhile now, zero luck other than my float went under real fast once, I mostly try running beads or a a jig under a float. I might go out on the river this weekend, any tips?
Trapping is easy you say? You try getting your target animal to step in a 3 inch area of its whole territory.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: BullOx]
#6240527
05/15/18 08:11 AM
05/15/18 08:11 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,033 Wisconsin
8117 Steve R
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,033
Wisconsin
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If you can find spawn bags try them under your float. Use several split shot spaced evenly above your bait.
Steve WTA NRA
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: 8117 Steve R]
#6240533
05/15/18 08:19 AM
05/15/18 08:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405 Michigan
BullOx
OP
trapper
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405
Michigan
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If you can find spawn bags try them under your float. Use several split shot spaced evenly above your bait. Michigan is really weird about spawn, you can't buy it from other anglers and I'm told the stuff they sell at bait shops don't work, so unless you have a friend who catches salmon or you catch a salmon you're out of luck
Trapping is easy you say? You try getting your target animal to step in a 3 inch area of its whole territory.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: Art S]
#6240546
05/15/18 08:46 AM
05/15/18 08:46 AM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405 Michigan
BullOx
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trapper
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405
Michigan
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They're just a big trout,don't over think it, have caught plenty on store bought (Mikes)single eggs, favorite bait for me is probably live minnows,night crawlers,or mealworms. I think I'll try a night crawler, do you put it on a jig or a bare hook? And do you leave it hanging or do you ball it up on the hook?
Trapping is easy you say? You try getting your target animal to step in a 3 inch area of its whole territory.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: BullOx]
#6240568
05/15/18 09:14 AM
05/15/18 09:14 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,618 Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
walleyed
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,618
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
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I've been trying to catch a steelhead for awhile now, zero luck other than my float went under real fast once, I mostly try running beads or a a jig under a float. I might go out on the river this weekend, any tips? Ditch The Beads And The Jigs. You Should Use Either Trout Eggs Or Salmon Eggs In A Mesh Bag Beneath Your Float. Use Pink Mesh In Clear Water or Chartreuse Mesh In Muddy Or Stained Water. Fresh Eggs Work the Best But As Was Said Previously, Atlas or Mike's Salmon Eggs Will Work Fine. Luhr Jensen Plastic Eggs impregnated With anise oil are also a good choice. w
Last edited by walleyed; 05/15/18 09:17 AM.
"Provisional/Interim" member of NYS Trappers Association Jefferson Co. Fur Harvesters
I Support Non-Resident Trapping
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: BullOx]
#6240632
05/15/18 11:08 AM
05/15/18 11:08 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 82 New Brighton, Pa
CClear
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 82
New Brighton, Pa
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sucker spawn tipped with maggots. Mini foo jig. Wooly buggers
Been here since 2008, but had to register again because of the 2010 crash!
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: BullOx]
#6240760
05/15/18 02:43 PM
05/15/18 02:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 546 Pennsylvania
Claypool313
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 546
Pennsylvania
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Like others have said, time is running out for this season. What rivers are you fishing? I played around with the MI steelhead for several years when I lived there. I bought in to the indicator fly fishing method and had a hard time with it for a while. I feel your frustration. Then I realized they are just trout and got out my spinning gear and bait. If your river's structure supports bottom bouncing, this is your fastest path to fish. No worring about your drag free drift, or leader length to float or where and how much shot. Much easier to figure out the amount of lead to stay on bottom and get a decent drift. Try a mix of single eggs, minnows, night crawlers, wax worms, etc. All the tried and true trout baits will kill steelhead. Remember they eat yarn. Not that smart.
Last edited by Claypool313; 05/15/18 02:47 PM.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: Claypool313]
#6240771
05/15/18 03:02 PM
05/15/18 03:02 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405 Michigan
BullOx
OP
trapper
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405
Michigan
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Like others have said, time is running out for this season. What rivers are you fishing? I played around with the MI steelhead for several years when I lived there. I bought in to the indicator fly fishing method and had a hard time with it for a while. I feel your frustration. Then I realized they are just trout and got out my spinning gear and bait. If your river's structure supports bottom bouncing, this is your fastest path to fish. No worring about your drag free drift, or leader length to float or where and how much shot. Much easier to figure out the amount of lead to stay on bottom and get a decent drift. Try a mix of single eggs, minnows, night crawlers, wax worms, etc. All the tried and true trout baits will kill steelhead. Remember they eat yarn. Not that smart. I tried bottom bouncing and hated it lol I couldn't tell what was a hit and what was bottom I fish the Kalamazoo and Mannistee I know it's a bit late but I figure why not
Trapping is easy you say? You try getting your target animal to step in a 3 inch area of its whole territory.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: BullOx]
#6240956
05/15/18 07:23 PM
05/15/18 07:23 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,117 Northern Michigan
J.Morse
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,117
Northern Michigan
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I have caught steelies by the boxcar full when I was young and skinny, and nobody has given you bad info....they are a contrary beast, apt to bite on just about any darn thing, or frustratingly refuse EVERYTHING you toss at them. There will be some good fishing yet, especially if you move north where the water is colder. The Two-Heart and some other U.P. streams will have fishable numbers well into late June. I have caught them in Ionia county as late as the very end of May (Prairie Creek...look it up, it's a good place to look). P.M. me if you want more info.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: BullOx]
#6241030
05/15/18 09:04 PM
05/15/18 09:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405 Michigan
BullOx
OP
trapper
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405
Michigan
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Thanks for all the advice fellas, hopefully I'll have the opportunity to try some of them this weekend
Trapping is easy you say? You try getting your target animal to step in a 3 inch area of its whole territory.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: J.Morse]
#6241445
05/16/18 12:10 PM
05/16/18 12:10 PM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 722 Michigan
BigBlackBirds
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 722
Michigan
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Prairie Creek...look it up, it's a good place to look). P.M. me if you want more info. shhhhhhh----dont say that out loud. its already overrun.
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Re: Steelhead advice
[Re: BigBlackBirds]
#6241481
05/16/18 01:05 PM
05/16/18 01:05 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,117 Northern Michigan
J.Morse
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,117
Northern Michigan
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Prairie Creek...look it up, it's a good place to look). P.M. me if you want more info. shhhhhhh----dont say that out loud. its already overrun. I remember times during the late 70's or early 80's when the hole below the road (by the factory) would have over 60 (sixty!!!)people fishing it at one time. It was Combat Fishing at it's finest. I no longer have a tolerance for that many people, although that was an excellent spot...crowd be darned.
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