Kokanee imitation

[TetraFish'n]

I'm headed to a great smallmouth fishery in northern Idaho, at the end of the month. In this particular reservoir, Kokanee are some of the primary forage. I'm thinking of matching the prey with a countdown Rapala or soft plastic jerk bait. I was also thinking about purchasing some swim baits. For you guys that have fished similar situations, any suggestions on specific lures or colors? Thanks, Josh

[jr231]

All three of those choices are proven options!

[reelnmn]

Are you referring to the Dworshak qualifier?  I never got to fish that Kokanee fishery but have fished others.  This time of year I wouldn't even bother matching kokanee.  All the adults have or are turning red and swimming upstream to spawn.  You can mimic the juveniles with either a pointer or staysee in american shad.  I also like to throw topwater in the morning.

All of my big ones have came on a drop shot though in the middle of the day.  I believe the last two Dworshak records were caught using creature baits mimicking crawfish.