2010 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray
Episode 205: Koppers Pike & B.C. Chum Salmon
Today, the Mercury Marine Destination takes us up to Saskatchewan for Pike, then out to the Fraser River near Chilliwack, B.C. for the Chum Salmon run. The Koppers Live Target Blueback Herring has proven itself time after time as a big fish lure, but when single barbless is the name of the game, you need to pay attention where the best placement of the hook might be. With the Pike smashing this realistic lure broadside, the best placement is the belly hook today. Using the Mustad #R10827BLN Ringed Hook, this hook comes with a welded ring, so when you add it to the existing split ring, the hook rides perfectly. Not wanting to take away the realistic appeal this lure has, Charlie uses 80 lb test Seaguar Fluorocarbon, not only is this invisible, but abrasion resistant. When tied with a loop knot, the lure keeps all that fantastic action. When checking the leader for nicks, don’t forget to check inside the loop of the knot, this can be a common mistake.
Don’t let the small comfortable size of the Okuma Cayenne reel fool you, this low profile baitcasting reel can take every monster Pike you want to throw at it, and keep coming back for more. Loaded with 30 lb test no stretch Tuf-Line XP, this reel can hammer the hooks home and let the Pike know they have been hit. Matched up with rods like the Okuma EVX or C3 ( Carbon Cone Concept ), this will be one of your favourite outfits.
Then, Charlie joins buddy Len Ames for the Chum Salmon in the Fraser River. Along for the fun is Water Depot president Peter Strain. Peter has never experienced float fishing for these hard fighting Salmon, and he is more than anxious to give it a try. Talk about beginners luck, he was into his first fish within the first few seconds after simply dropping the float off the back of the boat! For the Salmon, Tuf-Line XP came in handy once again. When drifting the floats far from the boat with the jigs, normal monofilament lines would have had too much stretch for hook sets, but the 20 lb test Tuf-Line XP socked the hooks home from anywhere! The thin Tuf-Line XP also allows you to use smaller reels than you would normally need with the thicker monofilament lines for adequate line capacity. To help even more with smooth casts and drag systems, Okuma offers their Elliptical Oscillation System on most of their spinning reels. This unique system lays the line on at slight angles to make smoother casts, smoother drag, and to avoid line dig in when under pressure from your trophy fish. Not one to ever want to be spooled by a lunker Salmon, Charlie chooses the Okuma V-System spinning reels in the V-40a size.
Okuma also has a great line up of rods perfect for float and spinner fishing, have a look at both the SST and Celilo line of rods. Forget sticker shock with these rods, these quality rods are very reasonable!!! With the dog like teeth of the fall run Chum Salmon, Seaguar leaders once again were a necessary part of the set up, with an invisible leader of 20 lb Seaguar being perfect for a finesse set up in the current. Under the perfectly balanced float, set to show even the slightest hit, was the real killer today, the Worden’s LiL Corky jigs. These well tied jigs come in an assortment of proven Salmon and Trout colours and have saved the day more than once. For your trip of a lifetime, call Len or Greg Wolf at 1-866-991-0287 or www.lenssportfishing-bc.com For all your outdoor equipment and fishing needs, check out the SAIL Super Stores or www.sail.ca
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