Never have really used a bobber for fishing for steelhead or salmon. I’ve always been a die hard drift the bottom with lead and bait guy. I want to take my wife out in the driftboat, but I get tired of pulling plugs all day. Thought bait on a bobber may be a good choice……. Can you help me with the finer points of rigging up.

My arms will thank you for your help at the end of the day

Fd, check on Amazon.com for books on float fishing. Dave Vedder also wrote an excellent book on float fishing, with plenty of illustrations. Sign up for a Steelhead Clinic, as float fishing is always covered these days.

It is kind of hard to explain all of the techniques etc on here. Those books would be a great way to get yourself started.

FreeDrifter - Try Mark Anderson's website for First Cast Jigs. Mark is in the business of making and selling steelhead/salmon jigs and equipment related to fishing with bobber and jigs.

His website is:

http://pnwws.com/cgi-bin/firstcastjigs/store/store.pl

This should get you started. I can testify personnally that his jigs are terrific and are a very productive method for catching steelhead.

Good luck.

That's about the best choice you can make. Not only is bait under a float a very effective technique for hatchery steelhead at this time of year, but it's easy for anyone to see when they have a fish on!

I'd rig up a sliding float on your mainline to a swivel. Attach a slinky on the end of the swivel, and attach another swivel on the free end of the slinky. The slinky should heavy enough to lift your float upright in the water, drop it down to the proper water line, but not so heavy that it dunks you float completely under.

Put about a 30" leader on the swivel. Put a couple pieces of big split shot up the leader (a foot apart or so). Put a very tiny split shot on your egg loop, so the hook gets down and deep in a hurry. Use sandshrimp tails and some cerise yarn.

12lb main and 10lb leaders will be fine. You can even run 10/8. A big 1/0 or 2/0 hook is all you need.

Later, in the spring, you can use this same set up except replace the bait with a pink worm for the big, mean natives. Works great!

This should easily get you and your wife in to some fish.

Freedrifter I have a new copy of Dave's book

"Steelhead Jig fishing techniques and tackle'

I will send it to you for free. Just PM me your addy and promise to give the book to a beginner after you are done with it.

Wow there is a nice side to TK.

I am impressed that you are willing to help out a newbie you seem t0o be alright in my book but what you think of me may be different

FD:

Dunno if the Three Rivers seminar is sold out yet or not. But that is your fastest way to introduce the sweetie to float fishing.
I will do a seminar on floats as will Nick Amato.
Plus Bill Herzog will talk about spoons.

We now have a commitment for FREE tackle from Thill floats, Gamakatsu, Aerojigs and Aero drifters, BeauMac jigs and a few others are in negotiations.

Attendees will get a sack of goodies worth more than the price of admission, plus they can rub elbows with some of the best guides in the NW and see displays by tackle reps.

If that doesn't get your wife interested, I don't know what will.

P.S. Bring that free book TK is giving you and I will autograph it.

I must take this opportunity to wish The King a Merry Christmas!! Thanks for illustrating the spirit of the Season.