FISHING WITH MINNOWS

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey Scott, I couldn't find the rig you were talking about on Wayneswords. But, I suspect it is a sliding front hook rig like they use on the Pacific coast for rigging whole anchovies and herring for salmon mooching and trolling. The key is to get the snell tie on the sliding front hook tight enough to lock it in place, but to allow adjustment for different length baits and different bends in the bait, for spin.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Frozen anchovies are tough to work with. Once frozen, they turn to mush real easy. If that has been the problem, you might want to consider getting some of those plastic head covers sold by the Krippled company. These things come in colors and can help hold your soggy chovy together while trolling. Here is a link that also shows some rigging and fishing tips: [url "http://www.krippled.ca/recreation/anchovy1.htm"]KRIPPLED[/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Whenever I troll whole anchovies, I prefer to hook the front hook up through the lips and then rig a treble "trap hook" near the tail...or even just trailing behind. If a fish takes the bait from the rear, they get the trailing hook. Also, try using a red treble.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you want more flutter, flash and action, try threading a spinner blade on the line and then a couple of beads, before tieing on the hook. A small dodger blade can work too...with about six feet of leader between the dodger and the chovy.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, trying to plug cut an anchovy that has been frozen is inviting frustration. Even a modest trolling speed will quickly reduce the thawed chovy to the consistency of warm peanut butter. But, if you can keep the head on and the skin intact, you got a shot at being able to drag it around for awhile before you need to change it. Of course, you hope a fish mashes it up real good, and gets the hook in the process.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I do not know if west coast herring are available frozen anywhere in Utah, but I am betting that if you could get some they would be dynamite on Powell stripers. They are larger than anchovies (like gizzard shad), they put off a good scent trail and they are a lot tougher on the hook. Those are the preferred baits for a lot of salmon fishermen, because you can "plug cut" them at an angle, behind the head, and rig them to spin at the desired rate without them turning to mush.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here is a pic from a halibut fishing site, showing a favorite rig for fishing smelt and anchovies for those fish.[/#0000ff]
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