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I figured it was time for something a bit different when it comes to steelhead threads.
A disscussion on how, where, when and what to do once you have latched on to " MR BIG".
MR BIG would be fish of at least 15+ pounds (locally this would make more sense as + 20's are very rare in these parts these days.
I have found most my larger fish in the LM to be found in deep 6-12 foot broken water or swirly water and often this water is quite quick in appearance, but in reality there is a slower moving current at the bottom and this is the real draw for the biggies.
I have also encountered some large fish in long flats in 3 feet of water, but I am certain these were moving fish as we encountered good numbers of fish on these days, almost always in a short time span.
Truth be told I lose as many of the biggies as I land, due mostly to the large steelheads choice of holding lies.
Seems these spots are usually close to some obstruction where these fish bolt immediately. I have broken a few off on unstoppable cartwheel shows and simpy have had hooks pop out, probably from the hook pulling through the flesh, IMO.
I prefer jigs in these locations as I find the weighted head allows me to be IN the zone at all times, especially due to the swirling boily nature of such spots. I grew tired of watching my pink worm flail around above my terminal gear in these spots and have used the jig head to combat this.
I really find the Pink worm to be a BIG FISH attractor, I fish them on the tips of my jigs often and do excellent with this technique. Been fishing worms for a long time and many of my big fish have come on them.
On the topic of landing LARGE steelhead, one of my best techniques to save the day with biggies is placing my rod underwater and low and to the side, I have turned numerous large fish with this technique as they were bolting for the run below and certain freedom. If you find yourself in this predicament try stuffing your rod underwater and too the side (upstream) and slightly clamp down on the fish, some will turn and then smoothly and slowly reel in as the fish moves upstream. Some just bust ya up and thats the beauty of BIGGIES :thumbup:, they all leave me shaken, landed or lost.
A disscussion on how, where, when and what to do once you have latched on to " MR BIG".
MR BIG would be fish of at least 15+ pounds (locally this would make more sense as + 20's are very rare in these parts these days.
I have found most my larger fish in the LM to be found in deep 6-12 foot broken water or swirly water and often this water is quite quick in appearance, but in reality there is a slower moving current at the bottom and this is the real draw for the biggies.
I have also encountered some large fish in long flats in 3 feet of water, but I am certain these were moving fish as we encountered good numbers of fish on these days, almost always in a short time span.
Truth be told I lose as many of the biggies as I land, due mostly to the large steelheads choice of holding lies.
Seems these spots are usually close to some obstruction where these fish bolt immediately. I have broken a few off on unstoppable cartwheel shows and simpy have had hooks pop out, probably from the hook pulling through the flesh, IMO.
I prefer jigs in these locations as I find the weighted head allows me to be IN the zone at all times, especially due to the swirling boily nature of such spots. I grew tired of watching my pink worm flail around above my terminal gear in these spots and have used the jig head to combat this.
I really find the Pink worm to be a BIG FISH attractor, I fish them on the tips of my jigs often and do excellent with this technique. Been fishing worms for a long time and many of my big fish have come on them.
On the topic of landing LARGE steelhead, one of my best techniques to save the day with biggies is placing my rod underwater and low and to the side, I have turned numerous large fish with this technique as they were bolting for the run below and certain freedom. If you find yourself in this predicament try stuffing your rod underwater and too the side (upstream) and slightly clamp down on the fish, some will turn and then smoothly and slowly reel in as the fish moves upstream. Some just bust ya up and thats the beauty of BIGGIES :thumbup:, they all leave me shaken, landed or lost.
I have hit some big ones in less than three feet of water in behind shallow shelves. had one spot last year produced everytime the water was around the same height GREAT SPOT!!! my dad hit one in the same spot right after i bonked my hatchery that was easily pushing 25lbs 
