Lake Trout

[moonshine]

i know i cant convince anyone that jigging isnt the way to go but if it works for you, so be it. i have tried it without any luck, except in the winter. its hard to keep the boat in one spot to jig properly unless there is no wind. then in the case of no wind the lake trout spook very easy. the best kept secret for lakers is to use fish seekers. most times they out fish downriggers. i've used them in Muskrat and the big Rideau, even in the small lakes. check out the link. they are also available at BassPro

http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products ... ?grp=m15-4

[RJ]

i know i cant convince anyone that jigging isnt the way to go but if it works for you, so be it. i have tried it without any luck, except in the winter. its hard to keep the boat in one spot to jig properly unless there is no wind. then in the case of no wind the lake trout spook very easy. the best kept secret for lakers is to use fish seekers. most times they out fish downriggers. i've used them in Muskrat and the big Rideau, even in the small lakes. check out the link. they are also available at BassPro

http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products ... ?grp=m15-4

I'd bet my boat that I know someone that would smoke ANY troller on opening day with a jigging rod in his hand. Just sayin', but to each their own.

RJ

[cprince]

I'd bet my boat that I know someone that would smoke ANY troller on opening day with a jigging rod in his hand. Just sayin', but to each their own.

RJ

I am going to guess that you have fished with this person... if so... I would imagine that they don't just drop their jig at random.

So... do they drop them on the arches that show up in the fish finder screen?

Specific structure?

What do they jig with? Spoons that match the forage fish? Tubes of some kind?

How deep to they get it... and how do they get it there?

I appreciate any info RJ. I am gearing up to try and get my trout on. Trying to figure out what I need to buy.

How about C&R trout from the deep...? Anything to watch out for to ensure that they are healthy when released?

the best kept secret for lakers is to use fish seekers.

That is awesome! It looks like a cross between a dipsy diver and a jet... what do you put at the other end of that? I says no deep diving crankers...

Thanks guys!

Craig

[RJ]

Most times yes in random areas....but yes if you mark a fish for sure drop on it......more often than not you can get it to go....

Any jigging spoon will do....wind will dictate how heavy of a spoon you'll need.....I like to start a 1 oz.

Most times I fish the bottom at any depth..

Another option is Drop-shotting...I know one FH'er has really been enjoying himself with this technique this summer....

http://rjnbirdeesoutdooradventures.blog ... akers.html

For releasing them from deep water....lakers have no issues with coming up from deep water......but with the water temps being what they are right now if you dont plan on keeping it, keep it in the water....no photo and get it unhooked and back down asap.....otherwise you'll be cleaning fish.

[plncrzy]

I have fished trophy waters in Northern Sask/Alberta for Lakers.

In one lake, the only way to catch the big-uns ... was to drop the biggest/heaviest white jig... right down tot he bottom and drag it across the bottom as the boat drifted in the breeze, other lakes, ... the fish were caught the ususal way, trolling spoons.

A few years back, I saw a couple campers at Merchant Lake in Algonquin catching lakers one after the other by jigging ... it seemed to be the best practice there.

I think it depends on the lake and the fish. ... lets fasce it, lakers are one finicky fish... they turn on-off like a switch and I beleive that when their feeding... almost anything will catch them inckluding white jiggs, when their not feeding, if you can catch them... then your one good fisherman.

[Camper2009]

I haven't fished for lakers up north in the summer for quite a few years, but if you are trolling you will need to get down deep (downriggers, divers, longlining with leadccore or wire).

Every August for our family vacation for 15 plus years, we fished Lake Kipawa in Quebec, my dad always went for lakers using downriggers, but jigging in deep wayer with large white or silver jigs, or jigging spoons such as Swedish Pimples or Hopkins smoothie produced fish as well.

Williams wobblers and other trolling spoons will definitely work, but unless you have a plan to get those lures near bottom all you will be doing is "washing lures".

Lakers will definitely "eat" plastics, they are finding lots of plastic baits in the stomachs of lakers on Charleston Lake.

Come on moonshine let us in on your secret.

Best of luck Camper2009.

JimW

Thanks Jim! Great info! I will repost after the trip and ket everyone know what worked!
Aug 7 is trip date! Lake Temagami

[Camper2009]

The depth is very dependent on which lake you will be fishing. Some lakes that are spring fed will have a higher thermocline. Many Highland (eg Algonquin lakes) will have Lakers cruising only 35ft this time of year. Riverfed and slow drain lakes are warmer, thermocline will be 45-65ft.

Without downriggers, my first choice would be early morning flat water - jigging.
The downside of jigging is that you have to be on top of the fish. If you don't have sonar, then you'll have your work cut out for you. Find a deep shoal in about 80 FOW, ideally near a steep shoreline.

Drop the lure to the bottom, lift 5', jig 30 times then raise 10' and repeat. As you work your way up from the bottom, keep track of the depth where you get your first hit.

As for lure choice, bring a few heavy spoons (1/2oz) for jigging and some thin flutter (eg Mooselook) for trolling. Don't go too heavy or you'll lose the flutter on the drop. Silver on sunny days, gold on cloudy.

An alternative to jigging is trolling with a 3-way swivel setup. You can do this with paddles from a canoe - just Google 3-way swivel lake trout and you'll get all the info you need.

Have a good trip!

GREAT info! Thanks!

[Daner]

# 1 gang troll about 45 to 55 feet deep. You need to add 3 feet of leader line to the troll. Then put on a Toronto Wobbler, West River or Five of Diamonds.
If you are using lead core, put out 5 to 7 colors. If you are using a down rigger and mono be careful as it will drop an additional 7 feet or so. Bounce bottom if you can but be careful to not get hung up! Early in the morning and late evening try underwater shoals, islands and drop offs near the shore.
The key here is to find the bait-fish!!! They are schooled together and the Trout are not far away!
Best of luck and if you are successful enjoy the treat.