I have never had a fifteen fish vetran because I have a regular fishing partner that occasionally does things such as pulling the rods out of the holders vertically and fouling a six fish plug eight feet up in the branches as we float out at the end of the run.




The roster get traded regularly and, in this case, the retriever wasn't much help.

So ask yourself, why is a floating fly line light colored and why is a sinking flyline dark colored????


Though I agree with the majority that fish aren't leader shy when it domes to plugs.

Now back to what a fish "sees".

When you think about all the crap floating down the river I don't worry to much about what line I run but 50# hi-vis just because I'm old and 15# ultragreen leader for the last 20 years!!!PEACE

ColG- I know I got some plugs like that one for ya, but this one was my prized lure in AK. Had him for 2.5 seasons, probably and honest 100+ kings.... should have known better and retired him but it was too good! The blade started as a solid chartruse green with a green dot in the middle, called it the "green eyed monster" eventually every last bit of paint as you can see was chipped off and the body got mangled and he kept on trucking till the day he hit a sunkin branch/tree and I felt like I lost a good friend

I am going to give you a hint about plugging. I always used 15# Maxima Ultragreen for Tadpolly's and 12# for Hot Shots. Now here is the kicker, Never use one snap for every plug. Leave the snaps on the plug and re-tie when you change. WHY????? Because the plug is tuned for that individual snap. Also, look at the snaps and determine if they are round or not. If they are not round your plug will not run true......

Just some more of my 2cents......

Dude. Sad day indeed. Some mojo can never be replaced, but the legends will always live on!

This makes sense but they do have lots of time to make the choice to avoid the plug and swim around or attack it. In clear water iv watched a fish 8ft off to the side of the path of my plugs charge at a plug two times before coming back and nailing it the third time. Do you think maybe they see the line and not atack in clear water if it wasnt mono? Or are they just dum and clober it cuz their brain is the size of a pea and its wired that way.

yep. that.

Must be like one of those Hollywood cowboy deals where the hero flings the reins around the hitching post.
I guess when you're cool you don't have to stop and tie like a greenhorn.

Toff cool ?

Yep, it seems to work that way with an aggressive presentation like a plug, spoon or spinner.
By the time he sees your hi-vis line, he's ridin' it.

Heck i wouldnt even need the hi vis i can see my ultragreen just fine. Yea maybe ill try braid for awhile see if i get more hook ups. Iv never broke a fish off with #12 ug but i think the ability to dive deeper with the braid is a plus.

"No knots" means "don't tie some knot connecting your braid to the unnecessary monofilament bumper", thereby putting the weakest link possible between your fishing rod and your plug, and your fish.

About the only "leader shy" steelhead I've ever found are dour summer run hatchery fish sitting in front of the hatchery in September, where they've been sitting since June 13th. Otherwise they could care less.

Fish on...

Todd

I figured that was you fishin' in the hatchery tanks.

Pullin plugs in the hatchery tanks...now thats the way to do it.

Pulling plugs is like having sex with your own mother..........Boring and not much fun / excitement.Just sayin.Good luck,
SZ

Jeebus SZ.....
I have a bunch of plugs that haven't seen daylight for years and now they're all going in the trash.
Couldn't even imagine how boring a plug behind a side planer would be.



Nevermind.

And then the Kid rubs it in.

I need a shower.

Whoa... it was a good read till then...
but certain rivers, plugs and/or bait divers are about the only way to target chinook with success. Braid all day on the plug reels/rods and Hi-viz or a bobber stop either way it's only so I can see the line

Sorry to wreck everyone's mind set on plug fishing.Plugging is an evil necessity @ times.Just kinda boring as heck....................I think I'd rather plunk.Good luck,
SZ

best day ive seen steelheading was 20 takedowns.... nothing boring about that!

How many were smolts and how close to the hatchery were ya????.....JK.Good luck,
SZ