Lures for Lake Trout

Saturday, 12 May 2007

To be able to successfully catch lake trout, you would need to try getting a lure near and active fish. This can be a difficult task because most fish stay really deep down the water bottom, or if not, they can also be located around drop-offs, ridges, rock piles and other lake structures.

You are required to send the downrigger ball to varying depths, trying to keep the lure some three feet away from the bottom. This can be impossible at times, and you will occasionally snag, which means you are not going deep enough.

If you are using lures for lake trout, it is a must for you to pay attention to details. First of all, it is important for you to control the depth of your lure with great precision. A few feet may actually spell the difference between landing a large trophy fish and leaving the lake long-faced and empty-handed.

One of the best lures is that which resembles any small kokanee, the primary food for the lake trout. A favorite among many lake trout anglers is a broken back Rapala of varying colors albeit black and silver colors are the preferred ones. During the fall season when the kokanee spawn, the Rapalas of orange bodies and golden bellies are as effective. Other lures that can be very effective for lake trout are spoons and big flatfish.

A crank bait that is deep-diving is somewhat an effective lure at times. However, if you are to encounter a nervous fish, the downrigger ball of the crank bait may only scare them away.

Anglers with downriggers that are operated by hand may opt to utilize a diving lure that will allow them not to be raised up and lower the downrigger ball on a continuous fashion. You must measure the depth of your lure at trolling speed, and at the same time try positioning the ball in such a way that the lure will touch the bottom. A diving lure normally bounces off the bottom of the waters without snagging.

Always keep your fishing hooks razor-sharp, sharpening them when you experience some snagging. Another good advice is to smear some odorous jelly on the top of your lure as this will help attract more hits. Flavors such as crayfish and anchovy are excellent.

Jigging is the one of the better means of fishing for lake trout on icy waters. It is imperative to stay over the fish and be able to vertically jig. Likewise, you must avoid slacking the line, or you will not feel any hits. Try doing small jigging actions. This can be done by lightly popping your wrist. You must be aware that lake trout are quite a lazy species and would not want the trouble of chasing a lure.

Large 3-inch Big gitzits on jig heads are effective, especially those that glow in the dark. Choose appropriate colors such as brown and orange. Also, the gitzit’s tentacles should not stick together and must move freely to be more attractive to the lake trout.

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