Big Nate's Kokanee System: Kokanee Trolling Setup

How fast should you troll for kokanee?

A whole lot slower than trout. Big Nate trolls anywhere from 1.0 mph up to about 1.7 mph, with 1.2 to 1.5 mph the zone. When the bite dies, change speed first. He speeds up to test for a reaction bite, then slows all the way to a mile an hour to keep the presentation in their face longer until they commit.

How deep do kokanee hold and how do you find the right depth?

Kokanee prefer 54 to 55 degree water and push deeper as the lake warms. Nate marks them from 30 feet down to 120 or 140 feet, sometimes laying in the mud, so good sonar is essential. A Fish Hawk dropped to the bottom reads the temperature break where fish are comfortable. Seeing fish at a depth does not mean they are active there, so keep adjusting until one bites, then tighten your spread to that depth.

How do you find kokanee on a big lake like Berryessa?

Locate the river channel running through the lake. That channel is an underwater highway for fish. Troll over the top of it and work both sides until you locate a school. Once you find them, stay on top of them and keep working them. Finding fish is the biggest piece of the puzzle, so do not leave biting water to go hunt for more.

What is Big Nate's best lure for kokanee?

The T-Pex is his number one, run slow behind an offset dodger. He slides the bobber stop up a half inch to an inch so the lure rests on it and works more erratically. The larger 1.75 inch X-Pex gives the same erratic action on a bigger scale, and a moon jelly and gold X-Pex behind a 6 inch dodger drew a big-bodied kokanee on camera.

What other lures produce for kokanee besides the T-Pex?

The Big Nate Bait, a 2.25 inch floating hard bait, runs on the outside rods and takes kokanee plus king salmon, Eagle Lake trout, bass, and crappie. His 2 inch Wing Hoochies and 1.5 inch Wing Micro Hoochies leave a bubble streak behind an offset dodger, and Uncle Larry's spinners in copper pop and mad Irishman are longtime kokanee producers. He also runs Hawken Hot Tails.

What dodgers does Big Nate run for kokanee?

His favorite is a 6 inch offset dodger, and he leans on the Trolling Dodger 6 inch more later in the season. He drops to the Trolling Dodger 4 inch when fish are finicky early season, and runs a Willow Leaf Dodger for a more erratic action. He bends every dodger into a curve for extra whip and flash.

How do you make Big Nate's Chrome Killer kokanee corn?

Drain one can of white shoe peg corn, then mix in a tablespoon and a half of Chrome Killer Scent and a tablespoon and a half of Chrome Killer Corn Cure in orange. Mix it up the afternoon before and let it sit overnight so it is ready in the morning. A full container lasts him about a week, and it freezes and vacuum seals well.

What rod, reel, line, and leaders does Big Nate use?

The Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod is a 7 foot 9 inch one-piece rated 2 to 8 pound line, with the sensitivity for kokanee and the backbone that landed 22 pound Pyramid cutthroat. He pairs it with a Shimano Tekota 300 line counter and 8 pound Maxima Ultragreen, loaded doubled over in the holder to auto-set the hook. He runs pre-tied monofilament Maruto sickle leaders for more action and durability.

Watch the technique

Trolling for kokanee FAQ

Berryessa is a trophy fishery. Some years produce kokanee up to 3 pounds and over 20 inches. The lake gets fewer planted fish than others, but on average its kokanee run larger than most in California.

Kokanee like 54 to 55 degree water, where they are most comfortable. As the surface warms through summer, the fish push deeper, so follow the temperature break down with a tool like a Fish Hawk.

Slide the bobber stop up a half inch to an inch above the T-Pex so the lure just rests on it. The higher you move it, the more erratic the action, which triggers more kokanee strikes.

Yes. On a full moon, fish feed all night, so an early start can catch the tail of that bite. Otherwise they often feed later, with roughly 11 to 1 the better window. Be patient and keep moving rather than canceling the trip.

White shoe peg corn cured with Chrome Killer Scent and Chrome Killer Corn Cure. He keeps freshening the corn through the day rather than letting it get stale.

Plenty. Nate has caught trout, king salmon, crappie, bass, and catfish on the T-Pex while trolling for kokanee, which is part of why he trusts it. You never quite know what will eat it.

A full container lasts Big Nate about a week. It also holds up in the freezer, and he knows anglers who vacuum seal and freeze it between trips.

A Shimano Tekota 300 with a line counter. He has tried and worn out many reels over the years and keeps coming back to the Tekota for its smooth drag and durable line counter.

Shop the Tackle

• Big Nates Ultimate Kokanee Kit
• Mini Squid - Kokanee & Trout Hoochie
• Uncle Larry's UV Squid - Kokanee & Salmon Hoochie
• Slim UV Dodger 4.5" - Kokanee & Trout