Using Braided Line for Kokanee

There are two main options for line when it comes to kokanee fishing: Monofilament or braided line. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a closer look at why you might consider braided line for kokanee salmon fishing.

About Braided Line

Braided fishing line is probably one of the oldest types of line. It us popular because it is strong and flexible. It is usually made with nylon fibers that are braided into a cord. Braided fishing lines were first used by ancient Egyptians as far back as 3000 BC, but it wasn’t until the 17th century that braided fishing lines began to be made from silk rather than cotton and linen. Braided fishing lines have many advantages over other types of line such as monofilament. For example, it doesn’t stretch like monofilament does, which makes it more reliable for casting and hook setting. Modern braids are colored to help anglers see their line better in water and they are also coated with chemicals to improve their characteristics such as abrasion resistance or knot strength.

 Most kokanee fishing is done by trolling though, and usually in deeper water, so abrasion is less of an issue for using braided line for kokanee. That said, If you have all the other right gear, choosing between monofilament and braided line comes down to preferences, and what else you might be using your pole for.

How Well Does Braided Line Work for Kokanee?

I read a report about a fishing guide who had dozens of poles. He got tired of putting new monofilament on every year on all those reels. He switched to 20# braid (same diameter as 6-8# mono) and loved it. I ran a top shot of 12# flourocarbon but only about 20’ of it and only on about 1/2 of my reels. His clients didn’t land anymore fish on one vs the other. According to what he reported, you can run braid right to your dodger with equal hookup and landing success. You will of course need light action kokanee rods, to pair with it, but the line didn’t affect success.

What if I Don’t Have A Super Light Action Kokanee Rod?

A good light kokanee rod with a subtle tip removes that need for stretch that everyone talks about. If you don’t have a light enough action kokanee rod, you may pull the line out of, or through, the kokanee’s jaw. Kokanee have a softer jaw than a lot of other fish, so they need that light action. You can get away with a more medium action pole if you have more stretch in other areas. This can be done with either monofilament line, or with a snubber.

A snubber is essentially a little bungie line that will allow some stretch, which is less aggressive for these softer mouth kokanee. Guys that run braid often will throw on a snubber because the braid doesn’t stretch. They’re not all that expensive, and if you’ve had trouble pulling hooks through a Kokanee’s mouth, you ought to add some snubbers to your tackle box.

Scotty Diver Snubber – UV Resistant – 2 Pack

Braided Line or Monofilament for Kokanee

Braided line is most commonly used by fishermen that fish for larger species of fish. Popularity of braided line varies by region more than anything. Fishermen in Oregon, Washington, and California like braided line, and that’s likely because they also can catch much bigger fish on the line. A Chinook can snap an 8lb monofilament line, but there aren’t very many fish that size more inland. People kokanee fishing in Utah for instance almost exclusively use monofilament. Oregon and Washington are split pretty 50/50 on braided and monofilament use for kokanee. There really isn’t a one size fits all best line for kokanee trolling or fishing, so you’ll want to look at your own gear and your own situation and make the best call for you.

What Size Braided Line for Kokanee

People are using braided line in a very wide range. Having gone through a few forums, people have reported using braided line that ranges from 12-60 lb. The most common is 20-30 lb braid though.

Best Braided Fishing Line for Kokanee

The most popular braided fishing line for kokanee is the KastKing 20 lb. The second most popular is the SpiderWire brand. I’ve used both, and I also prefer the KastKing, but I still have some reels with the SpiderWire braid on it, and I haven’t felt a need to replace it.

KastKing’s Super Power 20 lb Braided Fishing Line

SpiderWire Stealth Braid Fishing Line

Can Kokanee See Fishing Line

I can’t say for sure if kokanee can see fishing line, but in the tests we’ve done, kokanee are not at all line shy. I’ve run different sized mono and it hasn’t made a difference. I’ve also run braid, right up to the lure, and it hasn’t had any effect on the bite. Kokanee might see line, but they don’t care.

Other Things to Consider

If you want to use a pole that you have set up with heavier braid, you can also consider running a monofilament topshot, kind of like a leader before your rig. You could run a 50 or 60 lb braid and then fairly easily switch out that topshot to be able to switch between lake trout or chinook, and kokanee.

If you end up not liking the braided line, you can always unbraid it and use it for floss, and then switch back to monofilament.

About Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee salmon are landlocked sockeye salmon, which means they don’t return to the ocean and live their entire lives in lakes or reservoirs before spawning in rivers, streams, or gravel close to lakeshores. These salmon are delicious and are really strong fighters, making them a prime target for anglers, and the popularity of this fish is growing. Kokanee are a schooling fish that feed on zooplankton in the water. They tend to find where these plankton are at and then they congregate and feed all in that one area. These plankton, and the kokanee that feed on them, like to hang in water that is around 50-55 degrees, so these salmon are usually only able to survive in deep alpine lakes and reservoirs, and can be found from depths of 10 feet, all the way down to over 100 feet deep.