New to BFT, so if i have this posted in the wrong spot i apologize in advance,
usually have pretty good luck trolling flaming gorge with pop gear and wedding ring whenever we'd go,(lucerne marina is where we usually stay) but to be honest id usually just kinda wing it and not really know have a plan as to what im doing.
so i come here to ask the experts for some trolling tips, like where to try, how fast to set the speed ect
thanks guys!
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What are you fishing for?
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sorry about that,
mainly just trolling for trout, usually get a mix of both rainbows and kokanee taking the bait tho
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We've always had success with leaded line, pop gear, and a worm. 1.5-2 mph. Occasionally I'll through a rapala on the end instead of a worm... less strikes, but bigger fish.
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[#000000][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]You can try bottom bouncing along the shorelines where it is shallower with different lures and bait/crayfish you'll be surprised when you get the technique right. [fishin][/size][/font][/#000000]
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Welcome to the site Trubbs. There are a lot of methods and tackle you can use to catch kokanee and rainbows at the Gorge. What most members use and have success with are Kokanee Creek tackle spinner harnesses behind a dodger or Rocky Mountain tackle squids behind a dodger. They are both effective tackle trolled at 1.2 to 2.2 mph depending on the time of year. To find a good location, buy a map called "Fish-in-Map", they are sold at map shops and different sportsmans stores. Using down riggers are what most anglers use but lead core line will work as well, to get in deeper water. Early in the morning, it is possible to catch them with the long line method but it is a little tougher. Good luck, hope this helps.
WH2
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[quote wiperhunter2]Welcome to the site Trubbs. There are a lot of methods and tackle you can use to catch kokanee and rainbows at the Gorge. What most members use and have success with are Kokanee Creek tackle spinner harnesses behind a dodger or Rocky Mountain tackle squids behind a dodger. They are both effective tackle trolled at 1.2 to 2.2 mph depending on the time of year. To find a good location, buy a map called "Fish-in-Map", they are sold at map shops and different sportsmans stores. Using down riggers are what most anglers use but lead core line will work as well, to get in deeper water. Early in the morning, it is possible to catch them with the long line method but it is a little tougher. Good luck, hope this helps.
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i try to stay out of the shallow as much as poosible as our boat is a 32' cabin cruiser so its pretty big.
thanks for the tips guys, now ill have stuff to try, i wondered about the rapala but never have tried it.
i usually have just been using 80lb spiderwire braided line with a sinker at the top before the top gear starts.
we have 2 down rigers (manual crank, canon "lake troll" ones) but missing the balls. i plan to buy some new weights for it, just need to search on how heavy i need
and ive never used a DRigger before so i need to learn that method also.
thanks for the tip on the map, i will forsure pick on up, weather just needs to get a little warmer with less snow so i can start hitting the water!
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There are one or two guys on the site that sell DR balls but all you need to keep in mind is that the heavier the ball the closer it runs behind the boat, the lighter the ball the distance grows as the swing back is farther. deeper was is usually better for the kokes but the bows are closer to the shore. What kind of rig are you using the 80lb spiderwire on?
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One thing I liked about moving to the DR setup - I could put the POP gear on the ball, and leave just a dodger/lure on the line. Lots less to "fight" that ain't fish when the do pop the line. Have tried mixes of divers too - the downrigger would run behind, while I could dial the diver to run away from the boat.
Then there's the side-planers, but tough if you're looking to target deep waters. Between the squids, spoons, and dodgers - you've got good options. For Kokes - a rubber snubber can be a good friend too. Soft mouths.
I do enjoy the wedding ring setups. Beads, blades, and some flash. Lots of color options. Trout dig 'em all!
Need to get out and do more trolling. Maybe it's time for a trip to the Pig!!!
dont know how to multi-quote messages on this board like other forums so bare with me fellas
i got a few buddies that work at various tire shops so i think im just gona buy 2 used ones off my buddies and buy a mold to go about trying out my own.
as for the spiderwire question.
i run it just on a regular rod/reel (ugly stick) only reason i run it, is because my dad has always ran it because he always hated snapping lines, so naturally thats just what ive always went with.
id like it to stay kinda further back, with like a 6 or 8lb ball i think?
but not 100% sure, thats why im here asking for tips haha.
i more like catching/fishing for trout then i do kokanee but catching anything is always more fun then nothing.
any more details on how you were running the pop gear of the ball and bait of the normal line?
like i said, iv never used a Drigger before so I'm defiantly a greenhorn but ready to learn as much as i can.
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[quote TRUBBS]dont know how to multi-quote messages on this board like other forums so bare with me fellas
[#ff0000]If your doing a quote of one person, it is easy, just hit the quote button and go into the quote and answer or ask the questions or statement you want to make. Like I'm doing here but I high light my answer with a color like red so you can tell the different in your statement and mine. If you are doing two quotes, it is a little harder because you will need to edit your post or open up a second browser to make it work.[/#ff0000]
i got a few buddies that work at various tire shops so i think im just gona buy 2 used ones off my buddies and buy a mold to go about trying out my own.
[#ff0000]It depends on where you live and how much you enjoy doing things like that your self but be careful, pouring lead can be dangerous because the lead can burn you real bad. You can buy them for $10-$12, depending on the size of the ball.
[/#ff0000]as for the spiderwire question.
i run it just on a regular rod/reel (ugly stick) only reason i run it, is because my dad has always ran it because he always hated snapping lines, so naturally thats just what ive always went with.
[#ff0000]The reason why I was asking, is because I've seen people use 80 lb braid on down riggers to replace the cable. IMO that is way too heavy to fish with on your reel for rainbows. If you want to run braid you would be fine with 20 lb test because it is only the dia of 8 lb. In clear water the larger dia line would not be good because the fish can see it.
[/#ff0000]id like it to stay kinda further back, with like a 6 or 8lb ball i think?
[#ff0000]I guess that is ok but it depends on your fish finder, if you go too far back you might loose the image of the ball on your finder, you want to be able to see it, so you can tell if you get too close to the bottom and you can see if fish are coming through at the depth you are fishing. 8 to 10 lb would be ok as long as your not going too fast and too close to the bottom.
[/#ff0000]but not 100% sure, thats why im here asking for tips haha.
i more like catching/fishing for trout then i do kokanee but catching anything is always more fun then nothing.
[#ff0000] You can troll and catch rainbows off shore but in general, bow catching is better close to shore. How do you feel about catching smaller Lake trout? In the 2 to 3 lb range.[/#ff0000]
any more details on how you were running the pop gear of the ball and bait of the normal line?
like i said, iv never used a Drigger before so I'm defiantly a greenhorn but ready to learn as much as i can.
[#ff0000]I think Yote was talking about connecting the pop gear(PG) to the downrigger(DR) ball, then putting the DR release behind the PG.[/#ff0000]
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I just use mono for the Kokes. I don't use snubbers until the fall but would if I used braid (for Kokes). I use Shimano Rods to troll with as well, Kokes don't take it off the ball hard a lot of the time. I used to use ugly sticks but would be trolling around with a Kokanee sometimes, also miss a lot more because they just aren't that sensitive. I was shocked at the difference when I bought the Shimano rods. No I'm not a pro staffer or affiliated with Shimano. Hope this year is as goo as last year was.
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I use 10 lb weights. I want to know as closely as possible to the exact depth I'm fishing.
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I too am heading to Flaming Gorge next week. Plan on fishing the south end. I have a downrigger but no fishfinder(yet).
Any ideas on depths to try for Lake Trout? Time of day? Close to the side or mid-Channel? Are rainbow Rapalas a good lure? With a dodger? What about spoons tipped with freezer-burned salmon?
I went last year and caught a lot of trout trolling the surface around rocky points. Hopefully something larger this year.
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Hard to troll a downrigger deep near the bottom (where the macks bite!) without a sonar. You'll crash your downrigger ball into the rocks and get snagged constantly unless you can watch it. Lakers are shallow, deep, and all in between now. Makes it nice because you can find 'em anywhere. Mornings are best. Lure doesn't really matter, but how you present it does, whether trolling or jigging. You don't need to tip any lure with anything. Just get it in their face, or zoom it over the top of them.
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I second Jim's comments, without a finder I'd troll for bows up higher if ya want to catch fish. Later J
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yeah i know the single quote, just wasnt sure if this board had a "multi-quote" option like a few other forums i freguent do
as for making my own balls, im certified in welding, and enjoy fab work as well as mechanical work (mainly diesels but i enjoy all mechanical work) and have pretty much all i would need to make my own balls
i didnt know about the fallowing/tracking it, that is good to know, so with that i mind i think id be better off running the 10 Lb ball so i can keep an eye on it.
thanks for the heads up on the line, i guess i better go get some 20lb spiderwire and respool the reels.
now that poles are mentioned, i think i need to change them up, the girlfriend last year actually had fish on and they just swam with the line for hours without us knowing tell we reeled in to check/rebait her hook.
i heard that ugly stick has a new "trolling version" pole out now that supposedly is good? anyone know anything about this?
what Shimano poles are good for trolling?
i dont mind catching the smaller fish, But i honestly would like to get the bigger ones, but at the same time id rather catch a bunch of smaller ones consistently through out the whole day rather then spend all day on the water just to catch 1 big fish.
what are the best kind of rapala's to use up at the gorge?
i really do appreciate all the input and tips. Being only 20 years old, i still got alot of ground to cover and knowledge to gain but I'm eager to learn it all
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You can try to gather all the information from all the forums in the world. Beg, plead, and borrow as much information from all your friends. But once you get on the lake and start wandering aimlessly in pursuit of large lake trout, it is a very helpless feeling when you can't find or catch anything. Kokanee aren't hard to catch and neither are stocked Rainbow, anybody can do it.
When my sink plugs up, I call a plumber. When my truck breaks down, I call a mechanic. When I need a house remodel, I call a Carpenter. When I want to catch Large Lake Trout, I call a Guide that fishes it 200 days a year and has fished it for 30 years. You'll learn more in one trip than you will in 50 trips wandering aimlessly by yourself. I make it a point to book a trip with Captain Jim Williams at least once a year and I have no regrets. Cheap information!!
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You probably ought to tell him that TarponJim is your guide of choice if he's new he won't know. Later J
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although a guided fishing trip would be nice.
i dont really have the coin to afford one and im not a "trophy hunter' when it comes to fishing,im just out to relax from life and have a good time
with the hopes of catching a monster someday
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