Kokanee gear

Quick setup

Rod	Reel	Line	Leader
Ultralight, limber trolling rod, often 7 to 8 feet. A soft rod helps keep fish on.	A line-counter reel makes it easy to repeat a productive setting.	Light main line. Leader between dodger and lure is usually 10 to 15 lb mono, since kokanee are not leader shy. A rubber snubber helps.	About 1.5 to 2.5 times the dodger length, roughly 9 to 24 inches. Shorter for lures with no action of their own, longer for spinners and spoons.

Rod, reel and line

Rod: Ultralight, limber trolling rod, often 7 to 8 feet. A soft rod helps keep fish on.
Reel: A line-counter reel makes it easy to repeat a productive setting.
Line: Light main line. Leader between dodger and lure is usually 10 to 15 lb mono, since kokanee are not leader shy. A rubber snubber helps.
Leader: About 1.5 to 2.5 times the dodger length, roughly 9 to 24 inches. Shorter for lures with no action of their own, longer for spinners and spoons.

Baits

white shoepeg corn, often scented
maggots
worms
shrimp

Lures

small hoochies (soft plastic squids)
small spinners
small spoons
dodgers or flashers as attractors

Rigs

Dodger and lure: dodger, leader, then a hoochie or small spinner with a kernel of corn on the hook.

Tips

Troll slowly, about 0.8 to 1.6 mph, with S-turns. Kokanee are shallow early in the season and in low light, then go deeper as lakes warm; use downriggers, lead core or weights. Pink and orange are the common colors.

Starter setup

A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.

Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.

When to size up

Fish	Gear
Walleye, bass, saugeye, hybrid striped bass	medium rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 6 to 7.5 feet
Channel catfish	medium-heavy rod, 10 to 20 lb line
Northern pike	medium-heavy rod, 15 lb or heavier braid, steel or heavy fluorocarbon (40 lb+) leader
Muskellunge	heavy 7 to 9 foot rod, 50 to 80 lb braid, heavy leader
Trolling for lake trout and salmon	8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling rods, 15 lb mono or 30 lb braid, level-wind reels
Steelhead	8 to 10 foot or longer rods, 6 to 10 lb line
Lake sturgeon	heavy rod, 50 to 100 lb braid