pinks next year

[goonatic]

so im going to take my niece fishing for pinks next year, just cause theyre so abundant like stocked trout but more fun lol, gonna be on the pier, but buzzbombs and similar jigs might be too tiring for her(shes 10y/o) so i might start her off on marabou jigs or similar, what size jig would be an ideal size for the pinks? should they be twitched under a bobber or without a bobber??

[oneshot]

small size buzzbombs are gonna be easier to work than a jig proper. IMO. put a couple squid legs on the single hook of your buzz bomb setup, cast and reel back.,. no real twitch action needed.. the legs help give the bomb some action, reel semi slow back to shore.. fish on the incoming tides..

this has worked for me..

[Gringo Pescador]

goonatic, where are you located?

[knotabassturd]

I hear you on this one, my daughter will be 10 next year. She did fine on pinks last year at 8 so think you will be able to get your niece into fish from shore or pier even if she has no/little experience .

Work a little on casting practice if you can where it isn't crowded if you will fish a river. At Dash Pt pier you don't have to cast (mostly with a jig). You can drop it straight down and jig when the fish are around but the rail is pretty high for a kid so if going there I would bring a little stand for her and let the people immediately around her know she's new to it so she can stand on the stand without having people push in on her (you'd be amazed what people will do off a pier for a little pink LOL ).

Practice that hookset with her too! I just told her if she feels a fish then yank up and try to throw the jig and fish all the way up over the rail in one shot LOL. And to ALWAYS keep the rod bent (tension on fish). That way she knows to smack 'em as hard as she can. Sharp hooks help (I used barbless Octopus Gamakatsus so can use in salt or fresh water). Most people will be very cool and helpful if she hooks up.

IMO keep the drag just a bit loose at first until she gets used to playing a bigger fish unless she's already experienced with it. If on a river it might be more worthwhile to do the cast and then quickly hand over to her but you need to find a chunk of river water without snags cuz trust me she'll not have the rhythm down real well to start (twitching and figuring how deep water is).

Most of all, keep it fun for her even if things are slow so don't be afraid to play in the mud or pick a few blackberries promising to use them for blackberry pancakes the next morning, throw a crab pot to check (if at pier), etc! And worst case don't be afraid to completely ditch the fishing to evolve into something more intriguing to her if that's what she wants IMO. It might seems like it sux to not fish (especially if like me where getting out is rare in first place LOL) but it will make it much easier to get her going the next time when the fish are in thick!

Good luck next year! There are good people to help around here with this like Gringo Pescador and maybe others with kids just starting to get them to the salmon fishing age

PS- I rarely took my daughter to Dash Pt due to the type of crowd down there but there were a couple times where things were tame and it worked out well. No idea if that area would pertain to you or not but thought I'd mention it in case it is a drive for you (may not be worth it). Oh, and if you have a boat by all means use that! Avoid the crowds and get some fun time with niece and maybe other family too.

[Toni]

Dash point has lowered railed areas height challenged people can fish at. I switched to marabou jigs and won't go back to a buzz bomb.

Watch these videos and you can do the same thing off a dock.
http://www.washingtonlakes.com/WatchVideoHD.aspx?id=125
http://www.washingtonlakes.com/WatchVideoHD.aspx?id=126

[goonatic]

@gringo im in tacoma by sportco, i fish the les davis or dash, more so les davis because i cant stand some of the people on dash, and theyre "bombing" of the schools of fish,

oh how i wish they made an all pink crankbbait XD, i guess ill start her off with a small BB, if thats too much ill let her jig with something , hint hint toni =p

[knotabassturd]

Ya Toni's DPS jigs have a good reputation on the pinks! (#1 looked good) . I might have to have my little one visit her website and pick a few for next year She loves tying them too with all the pink LOL.

Toni- I had a hard time getting spots around the low railing areas because of crowds but you bring up a great point- there are a couple spots with a bit lower rails.
What is best time of year to order up a few DPS's (probably 1/4 oz)? Hmm, your jigs would make great prototypes for the little one to try and mimic over the holiday season for some indoor fun. Nice little project for a 9 year old girl when everything is PINK LOL.

I still owe Gringo Pescador for helping out me and my daughter last season for pinks.

[Toni]

This is how you get a spot at Dash Point: Get in line at 5:30 am and don't move from that spot! If you get a fish you unhook it in your spot. Have 911 on speed dial. It can get nasty but not always.

I haven't been to Les Davis for a long time for salmon. I had good luck there 20 some years ago. Not for pinks. My biggest off the dock was 19.5 pounds on a herring filet...it is all about the spin.

[goonatic]

yeah, 911 might not be enough haha! its always funny to watch people collide into each other as they stampede from one end of the deck to the other as someone spots a school =p

[Gringo Pescador]

oh how i wish they made an all pink crankbbait XD, i guess ill start her off with a small BB, if thats too much ill let her jig with something , hint hint toni =p

Pick up a crankbait and a have her paint it with pink fingernail polish...

[goonatic]

what kinda hooks can i put on it? 2 siwashes?

[Gringo Pescador]

I would rig it just like I do a wiggler. 4 bead chain to a single siwash off the belly and that is it.