Bottom fish

Posted by: Divers

Bottom fish - 11/23/04 11:22 PM

I am going to fish for bottom fish CNR (any, I don't care). whats the best method?

I was planning on hooking my fly line to Down riggers and then go from there, or should I just use full sinking lines? Casting won't be a problem since I will just drop the line.
Posted by: PhishPhreak

Re: Bottom fish - 11/24/04 11:17 AM

If you truly want bottom fish, you should just fish bait and some lead and drift with the current.

I'd slowly troll a sinking line or sink tip along the kelp beds and near shore and structure. Should find greenling, rock fish, sole\flounder, sculpin, etc - plus some nice cutties and maybe salmon. What has worked well for me was to troll, pause and let my fly settle to bottom, then troll. Fish hit on the fall and or rise within a few feet of bottom. Be ready to lose some flies unless you are working a sandy\muddy area (great for sole\flounder).