Are stripers a threat to salmon?
March 7, 2008
Hey JD, do you have any input regarding a theory that the non-indigenous Stripers may have a contribution to the current downturn in several indigenous species (i.e. Pacific Coast Salmon, Delta Smelt) populations?
–Don B.
Don, while stripers do put some un-Godly numbers of juvenile salmon down their gullets and certainly aren’t helping the situation, they’re not the big reason. Since the West Coast, as a whole, was generally down over the past couple years, the only common denominator is the ocean. Something isn’t right out there! Stripers also eat their share of Delta smelt, no doubt, but the main problem with the smelt is poor water quality in the delta…and water diversions. Back when we had big numbers of salmon and smelt, the striper numbers were also high…
I just did a post recently about this. Check it out:
Can Redfish live in freshwater?
March 7, 2008
JD,
I have a friend that caught Red fish in the Gulf waters and brought them home and released them in a fresh water pond 2 years ago. He was fishing in the pond this past weekend and caught one of the Red fish. The fish had survived for two years out of salt water in pond water. The fish has gained weight and doing great. Is this normal for a salt water fish to be able to adapt to pond water?
– Water Wolf
Wolfie, are you speaking of fish that are red or redfish? Sorry, just a geeky journalism major joke there! Anyway, during my stint back in the early 1990’s as editor of the now-defunct Texas Fishing & Hunting News (I swear it wasn’t my fault!), I remember writing stories about freshwater reds in some of the reservoirs. The interesting thing here is that most osmoregulators (fish that can live both in fresh and salt like stripers, shad, steelhead, salmon, etc) need some acclimation time between the two water types. I’m surprised that your buddy’s red made it in the pond, coming direct from salt but maybe they’re just super tough, bad ass fish. Hey — where’s that pond, anyway? Just kidding!
Ask JD (Special Edition): Yes, I am the King of the Smokers!
February 23, 2008
This is one of the best questions ever sent in by a reader, so without further adieu, a very special edition of Ask JD…
Question: JD, As the all-Big Enchilada and host of the Smoker of the Year Contest, I was recently wondering if you know of what you speak. After all, all I see you holding in pictures on this site and in the various magazines I see you in are chrome fish. I mean, what gives, dude? What are your qualifications? — Tom H., Redding, CA
Answer: Well I’m glad you asked, Tommy Boy! I probably should have posted my resume a long time ago when I first started the Smoker of the Year thing, but better late than never.
Well, here’s the deal. Though I have long since been reformed, I was quite the accomplished bead fisherman in my youth. Back then, my home away from home was the infamous “Wall” in the Nimbus Basin of the American River. That place was the epicenter of Smokers — it was to dark fish what Greenwich Village was to folk music. In the mid 80’s I was an unstoppable force in the field of catching dark fish…sort of the Joe Montana of sore tails.
Need some proof? I offer you this, a trip through my “dark” history…
Our trip down memory lane begins with this nearly 30-pound slab of “the other white meat” from 1987 (which I’ll add to the 2008 contest entries). This black buck was typical of the quality of fish I used to bring home. In those days, I made my fish even more “flavorful” by never bleeding them, keeping them (dead) on a stringer all day, throwing them in the back of my truck in 80- to 95-degree weather for the 45-minute drive home and then freezing them in tinfoil wrappers! YUM!!
But wait, there’s more…a lot more. I have quite a body of work from my days at the Wall. Read on!!
Ask JD: Where to go in Alaska, plug leader lengths, sponsorships & more!
February 11, 2008
Well, the ol’ mail bag is filling up again, so I guess it’s time for another fun & exciting episode of everybody’s favorite variety show, Ask JD. I know, “Wheel of Fortune” or “Jeopardy” have better rings to them, but they were already taken. Anyway, on with the show!
JD, I know this is a very general and wide open question, but I have to ask. Could you point me and my buddy in any direction on were we cane get reliable information on planning a trip to Alaska. Any info would be very much appreciated. Me and my buddy saw on the water last weekend. Thank you, Mark H.
Hey Mark, whew, you had me a little concerned there for a second that you were going some where else with that one! Anyway, I’d be happy to help you guys with some suggestions but you first need to narrow things down for me. Think about what you want to do…what kind of fish are you into? Do you want some freshwater action? Saltwater fishing? Perhaps both? Also, do you want to do some fluff chucking or are you conventional gear guys? Self guided or fancy lodge? Someplace in between? Time of year? Etc. After you get that all dialed in, we can move forward.
Ask JD: Beer, Steelie rods, river regs, bassin’ stuff & more!
January 16, 2008
Well, I had a bunch more great questions from readers in the mailbag this week. Here’s this week’s edition of Ask JD:
Question: JD, OK…gotta ask your opinion. I know you are moving more towards longer rods these days for drift fishing - I think we exchanged emails about this awhile back. I am thinking about a radical change in my setup for drift fishing light weight and small baits for local Steelies.
Currently using an IMX 1082S. At 9′ it feels a little forward heavy with my 2500 Stradic on there. This means I have to lift that forward weight whenever I set the hook. Thinking I may go shorter (it is also true that I like fishing shorter rods when drifting light bait). So…wondering your opinion…what do you think of the GLoomis HSR 9000S (2 piece version) as a drift rod? Appreciate your thoughts. Derek.
Answer: Hey D, the GLoomis HSR 9000S is a super sweet rod — I use the casting version (HSR 9000C) for pulling plugs & the spinning model is one bad-ass instrument for side-drifting from the drift boat. From the bank, it’s tad short for my tastes, but truly the right stick is the one you feel most comfortable and confident with. The other thing you can do is add one of those weighted butt caps to your existing stick. Adds a little extra weight, but will give you better balance.
Question: JD, Great online steelhead video from the American!!!!!!! I’m beginning to notice myself checking your site almost everyday! Am I developing an addiction?! Curious as to what technique you used to catch that steelhead…side drifting roe? Also, can a jet boat be taken up the American and then drifted down using a trolling motor? I’m thinking of giving the American a try. Keep those interesting articles coming!
Frank, Yuba City
Answer: Frank…well…let’s just say that there are other online addictions that can get you into more hot water at work or with the spouse than this site! As far as those American River steelies go, they were taken on side-drifted roe and pink Fish Pill puffballls. The American is super low right now, so a sled really isn’t a good idea. Plus, the upper half of the river above Ancil Hoffman Park is currently closed to the use of all motors (including electrics). The lower half of the river is okay for power boats, but there’s a 5 mph speed limit, so you’d never be able to get over the riffles without breaking the law. It’s really best for a drifter!
ASK JD: Sea Monsters, Flat-lining plugs, Pink Worms, etc.
December 28, 2007
Okay, here’s the latest round of reader questions from the mail bag:
JD, Read your article “plugging for steelies” in Salmon Trout Steelheader, thanks it helped. Have a question on weight and weight rigging when backtrolling plugs. Do you flat line plugs or use weight and how do you determine
what to use, and then how do you rig it? Dropper line or slinky sliding on main line or what? Thank you for your help.
Best Regards, Ron
Hey Ron, I’ll assume that we’re talking about backtrolling plugs for steelhead, here (yes, in case you’re wondering, I can’t remember the exact article you’re referring to, though I’m sure it was very well-written by one devilishly handsome author!). Anyway, when plugging for steelies, I never add weight to the plug. Since I’m rarely fishing in water that’s deeper than 6 feet, it’s just not necessary.
JD, You wrote a piece about a UHMW shoe from My Rock Proof Boats. That article seemed to be incomplete and STS did not have any additional info. Do you have any additional comments that were not in STS, and do you have any contact info for them? Did you notice any loss in power? I was wondering if the plastic would flex under load and not maintain tolerance around the the impeller? Thanks, John N.
Yea, in the layout process, that article got a little messed up, it would appear. All the paragraphs are there, but somebody in the editing room got them mixed up. I’ve had one of those UHMW shoes on the lower end of my Yamaha 115/80 jet for several years now and have beat it silly. It’s still hanging tough. I have not noticed any loss of power — the thing is as rigid as a brick and, in fact, may have picked up a MPH or two. www.rockproofboats.com
How to tie an Egg Loop….Back by Popular Demand
December 7, 2007
It must be steelhead season because I’ve been getting a bunch of “how do I tie an Egg Loop?” emails lately. So, I drug an old classic back outta the vault…
See how to tie the “Pimped-Out” Egg Loop here.
Ask JD: Oars, Camera Flash issues, Steelie Plugs, Nets & more!
November 17, 2007
Okay, on to the mail bag…here are some questions from the readers. If you’ve got a question for me about fishing — or anything else — zip me an email.
Hey J.D., Saw the picture of your drifter and now I don’t feel so bad. LOL! Anyway, I need some new sticks — what do you have and do you like them? Thanks, Jerry
Jerry, I saw something on the news today that really made me feel old — the band Duran Duran is having its 30th anniversary this year. Wow — I’m sad to say that they were really popular back when I was in high school!
Anyway, for those of use who lived through the stuff that’s now called “retro,” the best way to go with oars is wood shafts — the continuous fibers of wood flex better than the hollow tube design of composite shafts. That forgiving flex of, say a Sawyer Lite wood shaft, is easier on our aching –and aging — joints. Add some Sawyer Dynelite carbon-fiber blades and you’re in business.
Watch for the February 2008 issue of Salmon Trout Steelheader for an article I did on changing out the old blades, which you may want to do if your shafts are still serviceable.
JD, I know how to tie a sliding hook rig for mooching/trolling but am not
sure how to tie a fixed hook rig for the same purpose. THANKS!! Capt. Salmon
Hey Capt. Salmon….thanks for the email! Check out the “Videos” section of the webpage and click on “Pimped out Egg Loop”…that will show you the steps.
