The silvers were somersaulting around the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon last week but were finicky at times as to what they wanted to wrap their gums around as the bare hook gangs attempted to rip them onto the shore.
Those actions spawned several emails from frustrated anglers asking for suggestions as to what kind of set-ups usually work on the silvers that take at least a little skill.
Well, simply put, silvers can be picky little b@$^&#+s, so you may have to experiment.
Try these techniques.
Cured eggs can work well, especially if you angle your bobber and bait into the edge of the flow of the incoming and outgoing tides. Just put a split shot about a foot to 18 inches up from your bait and cast into the moving watercourse. If the fish act like they’d rather get eaten alive by a deranged seal than touch what you’re tossin’, try small herring using the same technique.
I plug-cut the little guys because it’s easy to set them up to spin plus it adds more smell into the water. If neither of those two techniques work, then give flashy silver bladed lures a shot, such as #3 Vibrax spinners. Experiment with different bell colors (red or blue, orange, and tiger striped). If you opt to toss meta, retrieve the lure with slight hesitations, this sets up a quick flutter mimicking a wounded prey.
Remember, silvers don’t like the sunlight so drag your keister out of the rack and the banks at o’dark thirty when they tend to “go on the bite.”
One last suggestion, if your bobber goes down, don’t immediately try to tear the lips off the fish. Let it run under water for five plus seconds or so. This time allows the fish to commit to the hit and you to firmly set the hook without prematurely ripping it from the silver’s mouth.
Time now to take a look at the fishing report for the week of July 28.
Freshwater Fishing
The lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams are open to sport fishing in the lower sections, but the Dolly Varden counts were low over the last week. Coho are just starting to show up in small numbers. Try fishing near the mouth during the incoming tide of these streams for the nailing the rookie coho arriving.
The use of bait will be allowed starting Aug. 1 in the lower sections.
The upper sections of the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams open to sport fishing on Aug. 1, but expect slow Dolly Varden fishing. Dead drifting beads are the best bet.
Saltwater Fishing
Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet
Groundfish
Last week was a tricky week for halibut fishing due to rough marine weather. The weather looks better for this week. The compass rose area continues to serve up nice catches for those boat hunters staying closer to the harbors.
Anglers are still enjoying success with the fang-enhanced lingcod. Fishing should continue to be productive if the weather holds its temper.
Surf fishing has remained a great option for those who prefer to stand on firm land. Whiskey Gulch and Deep Creek are smokin’ locations to try for the flats.
Fishing off the tip of the Homer Spit is still kicking it for a variety of groundfish including halibut, sculpins, skates, sharks, flounders, and a few wandering silvers and reds.
King Salmon
King salmon fishing was lousy to fair over the week.
The invasion of pinks continues around Point Pogibshi, which can make it tough to target kings. Unfortunately, it is likely the best place to land a king within Cook Inlet right now.
Fish deeper to try and avoid the brain-dead humps.
To discover kings at any location, try setting the gear at different depths including mid-water column and 10 feet off the bottom.
Sockeye Salmon
China Poot personal use dipnet fishery is still producing limits but things should start winding down. Some of the sockeye in the creek are starting to mature and sign up for Medicare.
Coho Salmon
The coho run is continuing to build in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon and the ethical anglers are having better success. Also look for jumpers along the east side of the Homer Spit. High tide in mud bay is a great time to catch some from shore.
There are scattered reports of coho from anglers within Cook Inlet, but the best catches are on the outer coast.
Emergency Orders
Lower Kenai Peninsula Roadside Streams Gear Limited to Single Hook Artificial Lures
Ninilchik River Closed to King Salmon Fishing
Sport Fishing For King Salmon Closed in Upper Cook Inlet Salt Waters
King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters
Rockfish bag limit reduction: 2 pelagic, 1 non-pelagic.
For additional information, please contact the Homer ADF&G Office at 907-235-8191.
Nick can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com if he isn’t busy dodging the traffic and mobs on the Spit while adding a few more white hairs.
