Chloe Zhang
Trolling is a popular and effective method for catching trout, especially when fishing on lakes. The technique allows anglers to cover a wide area and target larger trout. When it comes to choosing the right plastic lure for trolling trout, soft plastics are a popular choice as they can be used all year round and are effective for catching all species of trout, including rainbow, brown, brook, and tiger trout. Small crappie tubes and shad-style baits are also effective, with white or combinations of white being popular colours. For rainbow trout, red, chartreuse, and green are also consistent colours that work all year round. Anglers can also use vegetable oil to coat their plastic lures, making them easier to separate and ensuring they don't react with the soft plastics.
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What You'll Learn
Soft plastics are effective all year round
When using soft plastics for trout, it is recommended to use a 2-inch tube or a larger tube that has been trimmed down to size. This is because a 1/16-ounce ballhead jig can be squeezed inside a 2-inch tube without tearing it. The Berkley PowerBait Power Tubes, trimmed down to 2 inches, are a popular choice for trout fishing. However, any small crappie tube will work.
The advantage of slightly trimming the skirt or tail of the tube is that light-biting trout often nip at the rear of the bait and avoid the hook. This can be avoided by ensuring the hook is exposed. Additionally, tubes can be made buoyant by placing a piece of Styrofoam packing peanut inside, allowing for a slow rise when fished behind a fixed weight.
When it comes to colour, white or any combination that includes white is a good choice. Brown trout tend to prefer yellow and white, rainbow trout tend to prefer pink and white, and brook trout like solid white. In low light conditions or stained water, brighter colours or black with chartreuse can be effective.
While soft plastics are effective all year round, there are two instances when they are less effective. The first is when it is windy. The wind can catch the line, causing the jig to be raised too high or forcing a faster retrieval. This can be mitigated by fishing from a boat with a drift sock and slow-trolling the plastics. The second instance is at night, when other baits tend to be more effective.
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Lures and attractors
When it comes to lures, soft plastics are a popular choice for trout fishing. They can be used all year round, even through the ice, and they are effective for catching all species of trout, including rainbow, brown, brook, and tiger trout. Small crappie tubes and shad-style baits are recommended, with white or a combination of white with other colours being a good choice. Yellow and white tend to appeal to brown trout, while rainbow trout tend to prefer pink and white. In low light conditions or stained water, brighter colours or black with chartreuse are recommended.
For trout trolling, lures that mimic small baitfish or insects, such as spoon lures, are effective. These lures come in various sizes, shapes, and colours, and they are known for their fish-attracting flash and vibration. When selecting a spoon lure, consider factors such as water conditions, target species, and personal preference.
To enhance your lures, attractors can be used to create extra movement and flash. Dodgers and flashers, such as the Flash Lite Troll, Sling Blade, or Double D Dodgers, are large metal or plastic spoons that add flash and action to your lures. Lake trolls, or "pop gear," are strings of plastic spinners that can also attract trout.
Additionally, pairing your lures with scents can be beneficial. New-age plastics like Berkley Gulp! are chemically engineered to appeal to a fish's sense of smell. Using a longer rod can also give trout more time to eat the bait without feeling your presence.
When trolling for trout, it's important to experiment with different speeds, depths, and lure types to find what works best on a given day. Trout are temperature-sensitive, so adjusting your boat speed accordingly is recommended. They tend to prefer faster speeds of 1.5 to 2.0 mph, but slower speeds may work better in cold water during winter.
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Choosing the right rig and presentation
Rig Selection:
- Spoon lures: Spoon lures are a popular choice for trout trolling due to their attractive flash and vibration, mimicking small baitfish or insects. Choose the right spoon lure based on water conditions, target species, and personal preference. For Lake Trout, small lures like the Sutton Silver Spoon are recommended.
- Spinner lures: Spinner lures, such as the Wedding Ring Spinner, add attraction and vibration to your presentation. They provide additional scent and flavor to entice trout to bite.
- Soft plastics: Soft plastics are versatile and effective for all species of trout, including tiger trout. They can be used in various bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams, and are productive from shore or boat. Small crappie tubes and shad-style baits in white or combinations including white are recommended.
- Dodgers and flashers: Dodgers and flashers are large metal or plastic spoons that add flash and action to your lures. They can be swung back and forth or rotated to attract trout.
- Lake trolls: Lake trolls are strings of plastic spinners that create attraction through movement and flash. They can range from foot-long groups to 5' long arrangements of large metal blades.
- Weight and leader length: When using a bottom bouncer weight, select one that maintains a 45-degree line angle when trolling. Shorten leaders to 12" or less to entice finicky fish, and use longer leaders (up to 36") with Flash Lite Trolls.
Presentation Techniques:
- Trolling speed: Trout typically prefer faster trolling speeds of 1.5 to 2.0 mph. However, slower speeds may be more effective in cold water during winter. Adjust your speed based on the trout's response and let the fish determine the most enticing pace.
- Location and depth: Study lake contour maps to identify shallow points, shorelines, bays, and underwater structures. Trout like drop-offs, so troll parallel to any identified shoals. Use a depth finder to locate schools of baitfish, and troll around the outside of the school, as Lake Trout tend to wait underneath for weak or injured fish.
- Color selection: While white or combinations of white are popular for trout, experiment with different colors. Brown trout may prefer yellow and white, rainbows might go for pink and white, and brook trout seem to like solid white. Brighter colors or black with chartreuse can be effective in low light or stained water.
- Attractors: Pair your lures with attractors like Flash Lite Troll, Sling Blade, or Double D Dodgers to create extra movement and bring scattered fish to your lure.
- Line technique: When using light line, let out enough line to reach the desired depth without excessive line out. Hold the rod in one hand with the bail open, and let the line run through your palm. Once you have a straight troll, open and close your hand to let out a foot or two of line at a time, maintaining a rhythmic bounce.
Remember, successful trout trolling requires experimentation and patience. Adapt your rig and presentation until you find the winning combination for the day's conditions and trout behavior.
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Using the right line
When trolling for trout, selecting the right line is crucial. The type of line you choose will depend on various factors, including the water conditions, the species of trout you're targeting, and your personal preferences. Here are some important considerations to help you make the right choice:
Monofilament vs. Lead-core Line
The two most common types of lines used for trolling are monofilament (mono) and lead-core. Mono lines are traditional fishing lines made from a single strand of material, typically nylon. They are flexible, durable, and relatively affordable. Lead-core lines, on the other hand, are designed with a lead centre, making them denser and better for achieving greater depths. When trolling for trout, you can use either type of line, depending on the depth you want to reach. Lead-core lines are advantageous when you need to get your lure down deeper, faster.
Line Length and Depth
The length of your line will depend on the location and the species of trout you're targeting. For example, when fishing for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, or Cutthroat Trout, the length of both mono and lead-core lines can vary. To reach the desired depth, let out enough fishing line—usually between 30 and 100 feet. Remember that lead-core lines can achieve greater depths more quickly while still maintaining a good feel for the troll.
Line Speed and Presentation
Trolling speed plays a significant role in attracting trout. Trout are temperature-sensitive, so you may need to adjust your boat speed accordingly. Generally, faster speeds around 1.5 to 2.0 mph are recommended for trout, but you may need to slow down in cold water during winter. However, each day on the water is different, and trout may respond better to a slower, fluttering action on some occasions. Therefore, it's important to experiment with different speeds and presentations until you find what works best for the conditions.
Line Colour and Attractors
The colour of your line is also worth considering. While trout are predators that hunt for live organisms, they are also attracted to stationary, brightly coloured bait. Using attractors or flashers, such as dodgers, can add vibration and flash to your presentation, making your lures more enticing. Additionally, pairing your lures with attractors like Flash Lite® Troll, Sling Blade™, or Double D™ Dodgers can help bring scattered fish to your lure.
Line Weight and Action
When trolling with soft plastic lures, consider using a heavier weight at the bottom of your rig to keep the lure in place while still creating enticing movement. A longer rubber band attached to your mainline and dropshot weight will create a 'bungee' effect, providing incredible action without moving your bait too far along the bottom. Additionally, using a lighter action rod will allow you to feel the rubber band elongate, enhancing your sensitivity to bites or strikes.
In conclusion, selecting the right line for trolling trout involves considering factors such as line type, length, speed, colour, and weight. By choosing the appropriate line and making adjustments based on the conditions and trout behaviour, you'll increase your chances of success on the water.
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Finding the right location
When it comes to trolling for trout, finding the right location is key. Here are some tips to help you find the best spots:
First, do your research. Study contour maps of the lake to identify shallow points, shorelines, and bays, and the thermocline—the boundary zone where warm water sits on top of colder, oxygen-rich water. Native and established trout often cruise along this layer. Additionally, look for underwater structures, drop-offs, and areas with a good supply of baitfish, as these are likely hotspots for trout.
During the spawning season, trout will be closer to shore or towards the mouths of creeks they are preparing to migrate up. Trout also tend to be shallower early and late in the day, so trolling in an ""S" pattern during these times can be effective.
If you're targeting larger trout, try trolling around the edges of schools of baitfish in the middle of the lake. Lake Trout, for example, tend to sit right underneath these schools, waiting for weak or injured fish. During the summer, they concentrate in deep holes, so finding a spot where you catch one Lakers can be productive as they tend to stay in the same area all season.
For Speckled Trout in the winter, look for areas with a mud bottom, as mud heats up faster and retains warmth better than sand.
Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and adapt your approach. Trout fishing often requires trial and error, so keep trying different locations, speeds, depths, and lures until you find what works best for the conditions and the type of trout you're targeting.
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Frequently asked questions
Trolling is the best way to find and catch big trout in lakes. You can use a medium to light-action spinning or trolling rod and reel combo. It is also important to study lake contour maps to find shorelines, bays, and shallow points.
Lures that are similar in shape and colour to small fish and crustaceans work well. The Cha Cha Squidders, Pee Wee Wiggle Hoochie, Double Whammy Pro, Cripplure, or Hum Dinger are some examples.
Dodgers and flashers are large metal or plastic spoons that swing back and forth or rotate, adding flash and action to your lures.
Soft plastics can be used all year round and can catch all species of trout. You can use a 1/16-ounce ballhead jig inside a 2-inch tube. Berkley PowerBait Power Tubes can also be trimmed down to 2 inches.
Successful trout trolling depends on finding the right location. Research your chosen fishing spot to determine the depth, water temperature, and trout species available. Look for areas with a good supply of baitfish.
