Steelhead fishing, Setup

I've gone out 4 times this season with no success. Im using a ceterpin reel with 10lb test to a 6lb leader with a peach roe bag. Split shots from heaviest to lightest near the bottom. Fished in pools with 15 fish not a sniff, starting to get really frustrating. What am I doing wrong?

Time of day, leader could be too heavy. Drift may look unnatural. Float set too high. If you can see the fish they can probably see you. With the lack of rain recently most fish aren’t “fresh” and have had roe drifted past them already. Don’t be afraid to try different baits... some days it’ll take the bag bouncing off bottom other Days the bag has to flow perfectly at eye level. If the water is crystal clear wait for a light rain or some snow to get a stain to the water. Try smaller pockets that might only hold one fish typically they’re willing to swing out and eat a driftin bag.

Keep at it. I bring 5 or 6 colors of roe. White bags have been working for me. Pink worms get fish too. I dont see the fish i catch until i catch them. Try deeper pools where the fish feel safer.

I see many anglers using too long of a lead, if you don’t trot properly and your lead is too long the fish will see your shot before the bait and spook, that said, if you see the fish, typically they will be very difficult to catch, if this is the case, run a bit longer and lighter( I never go lower than 3lb myself) leader and try a single egg or small black stoneflies, also, use the smallest, clearest float you can get away with

It takes a lot of time and patience when it comes to catching steelhead.

You've gone out 4 times already and not a single hit. One of the biggest reason as to why you're not hooking up is probably your set up. What size float are you using? How many splits shots are you putting on? Your 6lbs leader may be to heavy for where you're fishing but it doesn't mean that your 6lbs leader will never hook up. If you're using roe it's best to have a variety of different colours and different sized roe bags. If you can see the fishes, the fishes can definitely see you. If you're drifting your set up by the fishes and they dodge your set up instantly it's time to stop casting. If you keep on casting you're only spooking the fishes even more and you'll never hook up.

There is so many scenarios' that can happen and it can get very frustrating.

Send me a PM if you're looking for more information.

River fishing for bows in the spring I find very challenging. I fished Nine Mile, Maitland, and Bayfield rivers for years with limited success, kinda gave it up. All the advice above is great and I know it can be done, seen lots caught, just not on my line. Those fish aren't biting cause there hungry, need to be agitated or its a reflex bite. The success I have had was usually bottom bouncing roe bags adjusting depth with floaters in the bag. Lightest lead possible is best, and change up baits as well. Have caught bows on red wiggles and flies in the spring. Using a float or bottom bouncing, set the hook at any change in line condition. Seen many caught by dedicated anglers that obviously know what there doing and work hard at it, nothing better than hooking into a nice bow in the river! I usually go once a year now to Port Albert when there lifting fish at the fishway, that way I at least get to see them. Last time I went I did loose a nice one after about 10 seconds on the line. Good luck it's a great type of fishing.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. I realize its gonna take some time and dedication to get a nack for this kind of fishing. Another question I had was what is your split shot pattern? Im typically fishing creeks and smaller rivers no wider than 25 feet and some pools maybe 5 or 6 feet in depth

As few as required.. personally i run three split shots, I don't buy the small black bird splits.. I just use the smallest i can buy in bulk packages.. everyone talks about how fincky the fish are in shallow water, i can attest that i've had multiple double digit days on the river fishing 8lb leader and 'larger' split shots.. space them out accordingly i've caught fish with split shots only 4" up from the bag.. keeps them running straight down from the float without drag. I was also always told my last split shot should never be closer than 12" from the bag. Again rarely do i follow that advise.. keep playing with your setup until you find what works for you and on that day. if you notice your float is being pulled backwards or forwards it's time to adjust the weight or the depth of the float, sometimes even the diameter of the leader material. Don't get caught up in guys saying only 4lb leader will work with the smallest split shots on the market. Just my two cents.

I fish some smaller east tribs and do well in isolated pockets , stay as far from the bank as possible . and ive found this year nightcrawlers are hugely outdoing any of my other baits and i also only use larger splitshots and run them to about 6 inches from bait

This post has been edited by tnm19.12 on Mar 15, 2018 - 01:12 pm

Keep hitting the river. I went out again today and went 4 fer 5. It took me 2.5hrs to get my first. I hit 5 or 6 pools and runs before i decided i was gonna make a stand in one pool. I was gonna go through all my colors of roe and worms to find out what the buggers wanted. On the third change of color it turns out they wanted chartreuse. First drift. All fish today were caught with that colour.
Time to go back to ice fishing. River is low and clear. Weather in the minuses. Freezing guides, line and bobbers sucks.

Come on rain!

Hey Wishing,

Look up "shotting patterns" I found a PDF online that gives you a break down oh how to set up the different patterns and why you should use the different patterns in different situations.

You didn't mention your leader line. If you are not using it. Start. Do not put any weight on your leader line.

Also I have never caught a bow with peach colour. White and chartruese are my top 2 pics. I usually tie 4-5 different colours with the bulk being my top 2.

You mentioned the colour of the roe bag but not the size. I have found over the years more is definitely not better. I will use single tied salmon eggs about 50% of the time and rest will be 3-4 with a few larger ones that i tie for the hell of it but never use.

Just like lures you need different options. Beside roe bags. I use pink worms, flies and my new favorite are beads. The last couple of years I have been using beads more and more. They can be killer and out perform roe bags.

I hope this helps.

Ice_addict

Sometimes when your fishing a pool that everybody fishing most likely those fish been caught so there more finicky