these are hootchies and summer kings.

We were running hoochies with herring strips, granted the coyote spoons at that lengty had a better % rate but still had numerous take downs on the hoochies,

Strange, a very interesting topic while blackmouth are in colder water and may be a lil sluggish to the bite. I have always felt a good fast action bait such as a spoon or hoochie with a 30 to 36 inch leader has been more effective. You must also realize that I grew up in the south puget sound region. The fish I target are much higher in the water column then their straight of juan de fuca brothers and sisters.

Picked up 2 BM in 45 minutes this AM, 7 and 10 lbs. 50# Flouro leader, 24 inches for the hootchies. Fishing out of PA, 140' on the bottom, green and white hootchies, one on 8", one on 11" flashers- also green. Only bites we had- and very good hookups on that short leader, both caught on the lead hook.

Better action on the stronger line and more protection from teeth between the two hooks. I screwed up once and put on a 20lb leader from flasher to hootchie, cost me a huge and I mean huge king in the tulalip bubble. Bit me off between the two hooks.

Sounds interesting.... Winner walks away with ...???

Fishing hoochies and Hot Spots defintely sparked my interests now...

If only I wasn't stuck in Alaska hammerin kings all summer, I would gladly take that bet (and your $), no down rigger needed!

FLIES AND HOOCHIES 5O, SPOONS 15, PERSONALLY i LIKE HERRING ON THE BOTTOM

I tie my hootchies to 50LB leader now and use 20LB for spoons. For BM, I start with 30 to 32 inches and for Summer Kings I start with 42 inches on the hootchies. If I am over fish and nothing is working I start shortening up the leaders.

I have hit Kings with leaders as short as 20 inches when longer wasn't working.

I have taken a page out of Captain Downriggen's book and started experimenting with the hootchies. I gave some a custom hair cut last time I was out. The custom hair cut hit most of the fish. I am going to start experimenting with dyes too.

Flexibility is the key, in my opinion. Don't get too locked into on one thing. Some days, who knows, the mood of the fish is just different. A little change in the profile or action can be the key to getting that fish.

Oh, and my money is on Captain Downriggen if Stlhead is serious about the challenge.

"Sounds interesting.... Winner walks away with ...???"

What do you have?

"If only I wasn't stuck in Alaska hammerin kings all summer, I would gladly take that bet (and your $), no down rigger needed! "

Yeah I know...sounds arrogant...but it would be an interesting experiment. Short leaders versus long leaders. If I wanted to out fish you for biggest fish I'd be mooching the kelp beds with herring. Most fish I'd be using my long leader hootchies. And these are kings not silvers. be up there first week of July like every year if anyone is interested in bringing there money and short leaders.

Plenty willing to eat crow for any takers.

40 # --- 12" to 24" rumor has it proven expert katosan says never go longer than 24" ... i tend to agree .......

I'm starting to beleive that hungry fish don't measure the leader length.....

The point I will prove is that if you know your gear and how to fish it AND you know the area really well you will outfish most everybody else.

Nailed it!

Same with horny women.

Yeah but you get more action with a longer one.