5 replies to this topic

[Shamus33]

I've been doing some reading on trolling for lake trout, and have found lots of good information.  There is one area that I'm still unsure of, and that's where in the water to put my lure.  I have read about letting your line out until your lure reaches the bottom, and then reeling it up a few feet and trolling at that level.  However, unless the bottom is perfectly flat, the lure is either going to run into the bottom, or pull away from it.  I have also read about putting your lure down into the thermocline that is housing the trout, and keeping it at that depth no mater how deep the bottom is.

 

Can anyone comment on these two ideas?  Also, I will be in a canoe with no fish detector.  Any tips you might have on how to troll from such a craft, and how to find the trout without a fish detector would be most appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

 

[troutddicted]

Trout will move distances to something that interests them.  Where are you fishing?  Knowing the general make up of the lake will help you so try to find a depth contour map if possible.  Couple weeks back I got a couple of lakers 20 feet below the surface in 80 ft. of water jigging a white tube ( with fish finder ).  Had a couple rise from the bottom only to turn away and sink to the depths, came up 40 - 60 feet through the column to check out my presentation.

 

Trolling from a canoe -  3-way right with a good amount of weight ( >1.5 oz ) and lots of line out - silver and blue spoons work well.  I would also recommend letting the canoe drift and jig for them.  You can always guess how deep you are, doesn't have to be exact as these buggers will come to you.  If you find one, stay in the general area - from what I've experienced they like to stick together in the same general area.  Early mornings and evenings are good bets. 

 

Best of luck

[Shamus33]

Thanks for the great advice Dozer.  It would seem I have most of the basics ready to go as a few days ago I picked up a three-way, a couple of 1oz weights and a silver spoon.  The local bait and tackle shop owner recommended a William Wabler w60 for the lake trout.  The spoon, and hook especially seem a bit big to me, but he was insistent that it is a good size for 2-3 pound lakers.  Any thoughts?  I also got my hands on an underwater contour map of Mary Lake, where I will be trying out first.  Can't wait for the weekend to try this out.

 

Cheers

[troutddicted]

Williams are great - I always have a few in the inventory.  Don't be too worried about size, had a small laker ( ~2lbs ) smash a 7" salmon spoon a few weeks back, they certainly can pack a lot into their yaps.  Don't be afraid to put other lures on the end of your 3 way - jointed Rapala's in orange or blue are hot for me.  If you can, tip the spoon with worms or a piece of minnow for added flavor explosion in their mouths.

 

Stick around the deeper sections of the lake but be ready to move around and find them.  Some lakes they suspend over 60 feet, others 120, 350, etc. - quite variable.  I'd also do a drift while jigging a white tube around 25 feet down, let those arms rest and have the wind push you around.

 

Don't get discouraged because it can be fruitless - takes a bit of time to figure things out.  The best investment for laker fishing I have ever made was getting a fish finder - its almost cheating and somewhat unfair but you will get used to it

[Shamus33]

Out of curiosity, how murky/clear was the water you were fishing in when you were jigging the tube?  The visibility of the water I am fishing in is about 5-7 feet, 10 if the lure is very shiny.  I'm wondering how much of the interest generated by the lure is caused by the movement acting on the fish's lateral line, and how much is visual. 

 

I wish I could afford a fish finder.  I've been out a couple of times in early morning for a few hours, trolling at several depths from 20-60 feet, and jigging the same.  I don't mind putting in the time, but knowing whether there are fish in the general area or not, would be great.

[ad_cole]

Loking at your map try fishing areas where it goes shallow to deep very quickly. We always get them off of points right where there is a steep drop off. The williams spoons generally work well I also like spoons with a hammered finish that are supper thin something with a speratic movement. If your trolling put your lure in the water beside your boat and watch the movement. Your looking for something wabbly and eye catching so adjust your speed until you see a movement you think may work and continue trolling at that speed. Its hot this week and looks to be continuing through next week so they will probably be deep. Checking the forcast it looks like rain late morning. So if u can get out monday night and tuesday morning you should be able to nab one. This is pretty much the hardest time of the year to catch one so dont be discouraged if you dont get em. Trout have also been known to follow a lure for a while so dont reel in and keep it deep.