Lighted Plugs for Steelhead

Every year we head down to Lewiston and fish the Clearwater River for steelhead and salmon.  Each year our intent is to swing flies during the day and pull plugs at night.

Night fishing on the Clearwater River and Snake River can be very fun if the conditions are right.  My plug of choice is the Brad's Lighted Wiggler in various colors.  I usually like to run a few different colors to see what they are wanting to eat.  Brad's Magnum Lighted Wiggler also works well.

The Clearwater requires barbless hooks, so I prep my plugs before heading out fishing.  I first remove the front treble hook and split ring.  Then I remove the rear treble hook and add a #7 crane swivel to the split ring.  On the back of the crane swivel I add another split ring, a size 4 works fine.  Then I add a Gamakatsu Octopus hook to the split ring.  Having the single barbless hook able to spin with out the plug spinning is key to landing more fish.

I generally fish 3-4 plugs, 60-70 feet from the boat.  For deeper water it is a good be to run braided line and a fluorocarbon leader.  For shallow water, monofilament 10-15 lb. works fine.

Lighted plugs work once they hit the water.  The water completes the circuit and starts the flashing light.  When the plug is removed from the water the light stops.

Storing the plugs correctly will increase the life of the plug.  Using a self draining plug box and keeping them stored in a dry place will help you plugs last longer.  The Plano Hydroflow boxes work well for this.