9 hot spots for bankbound Cowlitz springers
Washington fishing map feature
By Tim Deaver
Fishing and Hunting News
LONGVIEW, With this spring's on-again, off-again Chinook fishery on the
Columbia, many anglers are turning to other rivers to fill the void.
Few offer as much public bank opportunity as the Cowlitz.
Not only is one of the largest springer runs in years projected to return to
this big southwest Washington river, you'll also find sporadically good early
summer-run steelhead action too.
Plunker power
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| Standing on the beach and plunking bait is the primary
way to hook springers on the lower Cowlitz River. |
If you're new to bank springer fishing, the primary method is plunking.
A standard rig consists of a Spin-N-Glo or Cheater attached with a heavy
enough weight so the setup will not drift but stay in place (this usually
includes a 5 to 8-ounce pyramid sinker).
In fact, it's the sound of the heavy weight hitting the water that gave
technique its name.
The rest of the setup is as follows:
From your fishing rod, run 15 to 25-pound mainline then two 8mm beads up
your line
Tie a size 3 or larger swivel, a 36-inch piece of 30-pound mono (this is
your "shock cord")
Run up a large slider followed by two more 8mm beads and then another size 3
swivel
Tie on another 36-inch leader, but with a little lighter line of 15 to
20-pound test
Run a Cheater or a size 2 Spin-N-Glo with two 5mm red beads and a double 2/0
solid tie, which is attached a sand shrimp.
It is important to note that the shock cord must be at least 30-pound line;
otherwise when you hook a large fish, the force of the heavy weight sliding back
and fourth will break your line.
Once you've cast out, take another 36-inch leader (usually the same weight as
your Spin-N-Glo leader) and tie on a Brad's Wiggler or a Fatfish in blue or
green pirate.
On the other end tie on a size 7 Sampo snap swivel, snap this on to your main
line and let it go down to the water.
The force of the plug diving against the current will send it down to the top
swivel two beads, where it will stop.
As far as a rod is concerned, a heavy- action 9-footer like you'd fish on the
Columbia River isn't necessary.
In fact, I see lots of guys doing quite well with 7˝ -foot back-bouncing
rods.
The shorter rods actually allow them to fish areas that have quite a lot of
overhanging brush.
Also there are few holes that require casting much further than 6 to 12 feet
from shore.
Go with a reel capable of holding at least a 150 yards of 20-pound mono.
For bait, stick with fresh sand shrimp or pink and cerise prawns smothered in
Mike's shrimp gel.
Also remember, springers are very scent-sensitive, so wash your hands in a
scent-removing soap before baiting up.
Another final tip is that a lot of anglers are switching to a spectra line
like Power Pro.
Its low diameter allows for less line drag, which allows for a lighter
weight.
Also, spectra lines have 2-percent stretch, which allows for instant
hook-ups.
My personal favorite is 65-pound test Power Pro, which has the diameter of
15-pound and virtually no drag.
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At a glance
|
Fishing and Hunting News
What: Lower Cowlitz bank springers.
Where: From the Olequa Gravel Bay down to the Slaughter Hole, near
Gearehart Gardens on the lower river.
Hot spots include the Slaughter Hole, Rocky Point Hole, Hoyer Road,
Camelot, High Bank, the Car Lot Hole, the Garbage Dump, mouth of the Toutle,
Olequa Gravel Bar.
Why: No opportunity on the mainstem Columbia, but the Cowlitz is
scheduled to see one of its best salmon runs in recent years.
Throw in early summer steelhead for good measure.
How: Plunking bait from the bank. Gear up with a 7˝-foot
back-bouncing rod, a reel that'll hold 150 yards of 20-pound test, and basic
gear including Spin-N-Glos, Cheaters, beads, hooks and bait (prawns flavored
with Mike's shrimp oil)
Information:
Bob's Sporting Goods
(360-425-3870)
Four Corners
(360-274-8111)
Castle Rock
|
Banking options
Most of the bank fishing is done from Kelso north, with the best holes as
follows:
Slaughter Hole: Take exit 36 off I-5, cross over the Cowlitz River
bridge, then take the immediate left to Gearehart Garden Road and boat ramp.
Follow the road until you come to a gate and walk in about 200 yards to the
hole.
Rocky Point Hole: Located off Highway 411 (the West Side Highway) at
the Lexington dike north of Kelso. This hole is one of the few where the further
you cast, the better. This is also an excellent sturgeon hole.
Hoyer Road: Also off 411, take Hoyer Road down to the river. This
section of river offers a ton of bank fishing and fairly light pressure, and has
lots of room for the family.
Camelot: Another 411 spot, this is an area with lots of room for the
family. There's also a nice place to launch a boat off the sand.
High Bank: Located across from Delameter Road just below Four
Corners, this is one of the best holes on the river, and, consequently, the most
crowded.
Car Lot Hole: Located in downtown Castle Rock, this hole is steep and
rocky.
Garbage Dump Hole: North of Four Corners off 411 just below the mouth
of the Toutle River. Take Chapman Road to the old county dump parking area. This
hole is a heavily fished by the locals, so make sure not to crowd other anglers.
Mouth of the Toutle: Located on the east side of the river, take I-5
exit 49, head east and take the first left, which is a frontage road.
Travel about 2 miles to the parking area above the train bridge at the
Burlington Northern-Sante Fe gate.
Unfortunately, the gate is locked so be prepared to pack light and walk down
the road about a ˝ mile to the hole.
Olequa Gravel Bar: Off I-5 at the Barnes Road exit, head west about 3
miles until you come to the boat ramp sign.
Follow the sign to the boat ramp and gravel bar.
If you've got 4-wheel drive, you can actually fish from your truck.
One final note: Make sure to remove all trash, even if it's not yours,
or we may lose most of this bank opportunity.
Material from Fishing & Hunting News
published 22 times a year.
Visit them at
www.fishingandhuntingnews.com
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