How to avoid the Blue Creek Rockfish!

[kinghunter]

Can anyone help with how to avoid SNAGs out on the Blue Creek area? I have tried cannon ball weight, pencil lead weight, bass weight, egg weights, even with the lightest weight possible and still getting rockfish. Any advice would be helpful.

[curado]

try lindys snagg free sinkers or slinkies

[jens]

Can anyone help with how to avoid SNAGs out on the Blue Creek area? I have tried cannon ball weight, pencil lead weight, bass weight, egg weights, even with the lightest weight possible and still getting rockfish. Any advice would be helpful.

You might want to check the regs kinghunter, but I am sure Rockfish are illegal to target this time of year#-o . Hope this helps.
I know you catch a lot of Stickfish too, I hope you release these, oh and the Logfish, let those go as well. And the Overhangingbranchfish, these are to be left alone also.

[datsun]

I don't mind the rockfish too much, the Overhangingbranchfish now those guys embarrass me! I always try to Catch and release them when no ones looking.

[flinginpooh]

I caught alot of rockfish last night myself. But I notice if ya give a good pop to your rod instead of a hookset type jerk you can take em off most times. Yeah it gets annoying fast. Im gonna have to make another trip out there soon.

[flinginpooh]

My last trip down I started off just using my weights like usual. However after many rockfish hookups and I couldnt land one by the way. I started using slinkies. Because of the way they feel bouncing off the bottom its a lil different. But you can deffinately feel the bites. It payed off switching. I only lossed one set up after making the switch.

[scott080379]

sliny wieghts are gong to beyour best best. or go with the smallest pencil lead you can find, this makes your wieght longer and helps keep it out of the rocks.

[Anonymous]

good advice all. You want to find that happy balance of feeling the weight bounce along but not dragging. Basics (not saying you need this info, but for the beginners reading this thread):

Cast slightly upstream and immediately get your rod tip UP and slack line reeled in. Use your rod to bring the weight up if you begin to feel a snag. Watch the end of the drift as well - always keep your line without ANY slack in it! If you do snag, as previously mentioned, reel down on the line and point your pole straight at the snag. Reel tight, tighten drag, and step back. Often times the snag will come free. Finally, use a slightly lighter line for your leader than your main line - it will break first (if the hook is the snag point) and you'll only have to re-tie the leader. ALWAYS have pre-tied leaders. Time fishing is too precious to be tying leaders at the fishing hole.

And definately, slinkies are the best way to go, if the current will allow it.

Flinginpooh - I see your advatar is your #1 Steely - sweet.

[curado]

i have used slinkies alot along with pencil lead. slinkies are nice as they dont snag up as much. pencil lead is better for low water.

[chum77]

its pretty simple..................spey rod

[curado]

i would have 2 agree 2

[Drewp]

Or fish with floats.