Just curious what everyone's go to lure is for large native steelhead(18lbs or larger). My favorite for larger fish is either a 6 or 7 inch pink worm under a float or drift fishing a #6 spin-n-glow in silver red head or rocket red tiger strip depending on the color of the water. With the big natives ready to show up any time I wanted to get some feedback from some of the trophy hunters on the board here. Thanks.

Pink worm is a good choice.

They also love Tad Polly's if you are in a boat.

Plain white glow spin and glow. Size dependant upon water clarity.

The "RAG" and sand shrimp or the Dr.Death
tadpolley.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE
P.S. I'd tell you the colors of the "RAG" but then
I'd have to shoot you.

I can't say I'm a steelhead trophy hunter. In fact, any steelhead of any size is fine with me. But for what it's worth:

For summer run, sand shrimp on a 1/0 hook. No extras.

For winter run, sand shrimp on a rag. The extra color (pink or charturese) plus the added floation seem to provide the flash needed for winter runs.

I have only caught a few that fit you definition of a trophy and they all came on a different rig. One on a pink jig, one on a chartreuse spin N glow and one on a Gooey Bob. I have seen about 20 trophy class fish caught and can honestly say I don't know of any one lure or bait that seemed to catch more than their share of piggies.

I think it's more a matter of fishing rivers with big fish and working big fish water, i.e. heavy flows with choppy surface and big boulders or some combination thereof that gives a big fish a feeling of safety.

All that said if I had to choose two top lures for the big boys I would go with the worm and a spoon like the B.C. Steel

Spoons all the way: 2/3 or 3/4 ounce Little Cleo's or 2/3 ounce B.C. Steel.

On a fly that I tyed and originated. Say my own Pacific Sunset (hope that's not a name already!) But to this date that has not happend, come to think of it neither has a trophy steelhead. So based on what has worked for me in the past; a tiny egg cluster, tiny snip of pink or peach yarn, a 3 or 5 mm red/orange/pink bead (I use a bead instead of a corkie because a bead will sink while a corkie will side up you line or lift the bait up if toothpicked), and anies smelly jelly on a size #2 red octopus hook. I then fish this on 3 feet of leader, behind just enough lead to cast/sink and all under a sliding foam bobber.

Hmmm...my choices would have to be a Tadpolly if working plugs, colors matching current conditions, possibly a #8 Spin-n-Glo with the biggest sand shrimp I can find (usually labelled under sturgeon bait). But it boils down to a lure with great animation, large profile and versatility, the #1 trophy lure is a spoon, no contest.

my only 20+ fish fell to the pink worm drifted...i do believe that spoons will take trophy fish percentage wise more often than any other...i just have yet to experience that

Tadpollys, (clattertads) Pink with black head. Also the redish copper with glitter.

Wiggle Warts; Half Flourescent Red head and white tail, and solid Flourescent Pink....Ross

What color is the Dr. Death Tadpolly?

~steelymann~

The one I said. Pink with A Black Bill I think Tadpolly (Heddon) calls it tickled pink

Big, bright, active, and smelly lures have caught most of my big Feb/Mar fish. Plus like Surecatch said "Big water with big cover". Doesn't have to be a big river.

Spoons and pink worms.

A large medium rare ribeye will usually do the trick but when they become real finicky throw in a large baker and a cold beer and that should pull the hogs out of those deep fast slots.

Tadpollys and Pink worms.

was lucky enough to be able to fish teh upper seatuk river near yacatate(spellings off) alaska a few years back, several fish over 20 numerous teeners all taken on a egg fly, like what was stated by dave v fish in big fish waters.around here that means the coast.

The Dr. Death is black bill with a metalic cherise
body.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

This is the wiggle wart that I was talking aboout

I've only got 1 that was over #18 but it was purely by accident while salmon fishing in the salt, it took a mooched cut plug herring in about 60 feet of water. If I were targeting them it would probably be with,

1) corky and sandshrimp
2) aerofly and sandshrimp
3) rag and sandshrimp

Pink worm,
Spoon,
Rag w/sandshrimp (if bait is legal)
Plug, which one depends on water depth.
My biggest steelie was on the lower Hoh in March, and bit a spin cheater and eggs drifted near a log jam in fast water, so I'd say I'm partial to that rig too.

The point Dave made was bang on ,go to "big fish" water and fish as the conditions and water type dictate and you will stand the best chance of meeting Walter,a large glob of Chum roe never hurts either.

BENT RODS

A good thread for newbies. It points out the fact that almost anything will work when presented right. Fishing is playing the odds. Odds are if you fish the right water and fish what you are using properly then you will hit fish.

Exactly 100% correct