06_2025_REELLIFE_digital - Flipbook - Page 34
A "short" bite is where the
fish targets the trailing
hook, hits it, and does not
get hooked. The same
concept is where the fish
will take a bite out of a
worm that extends beyond
the hook. Either way, the
fish wins, and you get
that wonderful, frustrated
feeling.
Placing the corn on
the leading hook takes
advantage of a fish's
biology. Since a fish cannot
see directly in front of its
snout a distance of about
two inches, placing the
target scent corn on the
leading hook will make the
trailing hook invisible to the
fish. The result is a higher
percentage of hook-ups
and deeper penetration of
the hooks.
I have also studied the
hydrodynamics of putting
two kernels of corn on
the leading and trailing
hooks. At kokanee trolling
speeds, using two kernels
on each hook significantly
dampens the action of the
lure. This poses an issue. I
want maximum action on
my lure, and I also want
to maximize the scent on
my lure. Can I have both
action and scent without
compromising the action of
the lure? And I also want to
prevent the "short" bite.
The best solution finally
emerges as being obvious
all along. Many scents
now come available with
a sticky gel. In my opinion,
these scents are more
powerful bite stimulants
than anything that corn
can produce by itself. I
now use only a single
kernel of undyed, and
otherwise unscented,
white corn on the leading
hook only, and place some
gel on the beads of my
beaded spinners. This gives
maximum scent to my lure
without interfering with its
action. If I am using a squid
or a hoochie, I place some
of the gel inside the squid
or hoochie body, again
using but a single piece of
white shoepeg corn on the
leading hook. I believe my
success rate has increased
using this setup.
At the end of the day, do
your best to rinse off the
gel on your lures. Using
generous amounts of hot
water will help. I have now
substituted my pre-fishing
"brine the corn ritual" for
a post-fishing "clean the
lures ritual." I have found
the gel scents of anise,
kokanee special, garlic, and
especially bloody tuna to be
excellent.
Next month, we'll look at
the gear you need to catch
more fish!
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Updated website with new products
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Matching lures: NEW Kokanee Krill, Beaded Spinners, Super Squids, Spin Bugs
Only the finest fluorescent (“UV”) materials used. Tandem Gamakatsu hooks.
FISH WITH GARY TACKLE CO.
La Pine, Oregon
www.fishwithgary.com
541.536.1002
Home of Kokanee University
