Lake Trout

[BrianSnat]

I live a short distance from two reservoirs famous for their lake trout fishing, as well as other trout species.   I don't have a downrigger so last year I tried deepwater jigging.  Problem is that if there is a breeze the boat drifts too fast to keep the jig on the bottom and these waters usually have a breeze.

 

Early this year I went out with my normal fishing tackle and trolled using 1 oz sinkers on a three way swivel to get the lures down.  Nothing.  I noticed that many of the laker fishermen use lead core line with trolling rods, and planer boards to get as many lines as possible into the water. 

 

So I went out and bought two trolling rod and reel outfits, filled them with lead core line and bought two planer boards, giving me 4 lines in the water.  Still nothing. 

 

Then I noticed that I was often putting the boat in (10 - 11 am) when many of the trout fishermen were finishing up, so today I was on the water 4:30 am and trolled until 9 am.  Still nothing.  Not sure where to go next but I'll keep trying.  Any tips appreciated.

[Crestliner2008]

Try vertical jigging with 3/4 oz. blade baits. If the drift is too fast, get a drift sock or a 5-gal. bucket hung off the stern.

[BrianSnat]

Try vertical jigging with 3/4 oz. blade baits. If the drift is too fast, get a drift sock or a 5-gal. bucket hung off the stern.

 

 

That was what I was doing last year (Binsky blade bait).  The drift sock is a good idea though. It should help keep the jig vertical if the wind isn't too strong. A lot of the fishermen here also drift live herring on a 1 oz slip sinker. Tried that too to no avail.

[Dwight Hottle]

Sent you a pm.