By Author John Olsen
Summer is on us, and it's a great time to troll for trout. I grew up trolling all over the West, and there are some of the most fantastic trout lakes right in your backyard. Sometimes I take for granted everything I learned from my dad and grandpa about fishing and trolling. Here are some tips about what to do and what to avoid with summer trolling for tout.
Trout are temperature-sensitive fish, and they like it cooler than most game fish. The best temperature for trout is 45-65 degrees. Any lower and they become lethargic and slow their metabolism. Much more than 65 degrees, and they will overheat and may die under stress. They also stop eating in warm temps. During the day's heat, they will go down to the water column with the right temperature. If you have a sonar, it's easy to find what depth that is. Without you'll need to troll at different depths to find your fish.
In early mornings before the sun hits the water, and later evenings, after it's cooled off, trout will come to the shallows to feed on small fish, insects, and whatever they can find. This is the best time to troll for trout.
The top 5 best lures to use for trolling are the tried and true of the West.
5. Black and white Dardevel: this is a great spoon. It can be trolled on a downrigger in the heat of the day or with a couple of ounces of lead 20" above the spoon, and use a swivel snap to avoid tangling.
2-2.5 MPH is perfect for this spoon. Size can vary, but often, the bigger is better for larger trout. This is a favorite color for Cutthroat Trout.
4. Pop Gear and Worm- this setup is best used with a downrigger. You want to use pop-gear or a flasher (some fishermen prefer one over the other. I go flasher myself), then 18-22" of leader with a swivel snap with a treble hook and a worm. This setup is very effective for rainbow trout.
3. Silver or brass Spoon (Hammered)- fished the same way as the black and white daredevil, it can be very effective on planter trout. This can be used on top with 2-3 oz of weight or a downrigger. If using a downrigger, I will use a flasher about 18" above the spoon.
2. Luhr Jensen Super Duper- this lure comes in many colors and sizes, and some colors are better at different depths and on various lakes. It also can be used on top or with a downrigger. If you're using a downrigger or in murky water, you will want a more muted color like green; otherwise, bright colors will work great. You can also use a flasher when using a Super Duper on a downrigger.
1. Rapala CD-5,7. Rapala is a great lure, and the Count Down will work without weight trolling right on top. It's also great on a downrigger set.
At dusk and dawn in summer, large trout like Cuts and Browns will chase schools of small fish near the sure. Trolling in shallow water with a Rapala is a great way to hook up large trout.
Honorable Mention- The Flatfish is an extraordinary Lake trout lure. It must be trolled much slower than other lures (around 1-1.5 MPH) and is used mainly on downriggers. Flatfish are an older lure and have lost their luster for many fishermen, but I find it a must-have when trolling for Lake trout.
Color- the color of the lure you choose will vary by the lake, water color, depth, and sunlight. The general rule is the clearer the water, the brighter the lure. Use bright colors in clear water and clear sunny days. Use your darker colors in cloudy water or cloudy days; darker colors are best at deeper depths. Color becomes muted at deep depths.
Trolling speed can vary, but a good rule is 2-2.5 MPH. When trolling in the shallows, go in a zig-zag path. This will give various speeds and looks for your lures and help you find where the fish are.
When fishing shallower, you can use planer boards to get out and away from the boat; however, in most places, trout are less wary of boats than other fish species.
Be mindful of other boaters and shore fishermen. Don't impede their fishing while doing yours.
Some of the Trout in the Westen US include Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Cutthroat Trout, Tiger Trout, and Lake trout. However, lake trout are not true trout but Char.
Most are fantastic to eat; however, large lake trout tend to be less tasty, but some people enjoy Lakers.
As always, check your fishing and boating regulations for your lake and explore. Nothing is as good as experiencing when it comes to learning about trout.
Grilled Trout Recipe
Ingredients:
Olive oil
Salt and ground pepper
Parsley sprigs
Lemon wedges
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
Directions:
First- Mix Butter, Lemon zest, Lemon Juice, and Italian Parsley together in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using.
Second- Heat grill to high. Brush trout on both sides with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, skin-side down, until slightly charred and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully turn each fish over and continue cooking until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Remove from the grill and top each with 2 tablespoons Lemon-Parsley Butter. Garnish with parsley sprigs and lemon wedges, and serve.
Enjoy!
Author John Olsen
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