Many anglers overlook trout trolling. Some people believe that mastering it is too challenging. Others say that trolling is only useful when targeting big fishes. But, trolling is one of the best ways to catch various deep-water fish, including trout. Therefore, learning the best trolling techniques can catch trout successfully.
So, what are the best techniques for trolling deep for trout? Trolling covers a larger area than other fishing tactics. For this reason, you need to work with multiple techniques to help you get started. You can set up the correct bait, the right rod, and determine the depth at which the trout are hiding. Basic practices like these should be able to be integrated into any technique you want.
Trout Downrigger is one of the most common trolling techniques used by anglers. It helps you quickly get your bait deep into the water, allowing you to spend more time fishing. However, this technique is not cost-efficient. Here are some of the best techniques you can use for trolling deep for trout.
Maintain the Sharpness of Your Hooks
The sharpness of the hook determines the effectiveness of even the best fishing lure. When a trout swipes at your bait, it only takes a second to get a decent hook set. So ensuring that you have a sharp hook when trolling deep for trout is a must! If the hook isn’t scratching the back of your fingernail, it needs to be sharpened.
You may sharpen the hook by passing it through a hook sharpener a few times. So, when the trout takes a strike, you’ll be able to get a good hook set.
Pay Attention to Color And Contrast
Color and contrast are something you should consider! Since there isn’t enough light in the water, dark colors produce attractive contrast. Due to the tiny light reflection, brass and copper attractors will out-produce standard silver. Using spoons with color combinations that include brass or glow can be effective.
Utilizing lures with dark or bright patches, such as plugs or spoons, will also stand out to a trout when you are trolling deep. Investing in these pieces of equipment can pay off generously!
Take Advantage of Sounds and Vibrations
In the bulk of fisheries, trout are a dominant species. They are particularly excellent at focusing on their prey and striking it. They achieve this using their lateral lines to detect low-frequency vibrations or movements. So, using lures that produce a tiny vibration (sound) can assist the trout in locating your lure.
Plugs with tiny vibrate tend to out fish spoons and other non-rattle lures. Using lures with spinner blades, like a wedding ring, is a technique to create an appealing vibration. These blades produce small sonic vibrations which urge trout to trace down your gear and strike when you are trolling trout in deeper water.
Troll at a Constant Pace
The trolling speed must be adjusted according to the circumstances. Trolling at a constant speed is more fruitful. Trout have to work extra hard to find their baits in deep water. When trolling at a constant pace, trout are less likely to abandon their search for your gear.
Find the most productive pace at which your lure’s motion performs best when you’re trolling deep for trout. When you begin to connect with trout, keep an eye on your trolling speed and stick to it. It’s a delicate balancing act between going too slow and too quickly.
Finding The Bottom
Letting outline go to the seabed is the most critical component of deep water trout trolling. It’s also crucial to pay attention to the depth of your lure while trolling. Unlike in clear water, the fish’s striking zone is decreased when the water is foggy. Finding the bottom ensures that your presentation is within the strike zone of the trout.
Trouts do not travel fast through the deep ocean pursuing forage in unclean water. However, they wait for an opportunistic prey to show themselves. Predator fish like Trout benefit from the deep-water conditions. The reason is it gives them an edge in taking down their victim.
Don’t Wait for Your Catch
Waiting for your catch is the most common error made by new anglers when they’re trolling deep for trout. They hook up with a catch and put the boat in neutral. Doing so is a certain way to hit a snag. Keep your boat going ahead at all times and battle the fish while doing so.
The same is true when laying lines and reeling in your spread at the end of the day. The deep-water pulls everything to the back of the boat, so it’s simpler to get lines unsnagged when moving.
Use a Surface Fish
Trout are more likely to linger near the surface as the water clarity decreases. It is because deep water acts as a filter for strong light. Whether the weather is sunny or gloomy, this is a great time to surface fish for trouts. As previously said, trout like to attack their prey by using poor water clarity.
Trolling your lures on the surface gives them a silhouette look, which makes them simple to spot. For this technique, dark-colored plugs with unpredictable vibrating movements are an ideal choice.
The Equipment You Could Use for Trolling Deep for Trout
The equipment used in attracting trout comes in varieties. And below are some of the commonly used equipment:
Dodger
The common trolling dodger has been around and catching trout for decades. For lake trout, dodgers are fished in a variety of ways. One of the most typical is to tie the dodger to the terminal end of a downrigger. Then, rod/reel combo filled with 20- to 25-pound test monofilament line.
Cowbells
Cowbells or water trolls are another aged trout trolling practice. These attractors are made up of a series of blades that revolve on clevises. And provide a lot of flash and vibration when they hit the water. Cowbells attract trout given the vibrations it sends off.
The Best Methods For Trolling Deep for Trout
Murky waters during deep fishing may prevent you from catching trouts. However, with an effective method, you may still be successful and satisfy limits. So below are some of the best methods for trolling deep for trout:
Trolling Deep for Trout with Flat Lining
Trolling for trout with a Flat Lining strategy is probably the easiest. It can be done from practically any vessel. That includes canoes and kayaks, and requires no special equipment. It’s particularly effective on tiny bodies of water or when trout are foraging. You can do this technique by following these steps:
- Hook a diving bait such as a deep-diving crankbait, spoon, or spinners to the line.
- Allow 25-50 feet of line to be let out while moving slowly.
- Wait for a bite with the rod in the holder.
- To find fish, you may set up lines at varying angles and depths.
Trolling Deep for Trout Planer Boards
This technique employs a mast, reel, and secondary line to deploy the planer boards. However, because there is no mass and the overall setup is lighter, it is a better choice for smaller vessels. The option to position lines wider apart, covering a broader search area, is a major benefit. You can follow this technique by doing these steps:
- Place the planer board in the water after attaching it to the mast cable.
- The cable should be fed out until the board is at the proper distance from the boat (15-25 yds.)
- With the drag set, drop the baited hook or lure into the water.
- Place the release clip on the fishing line and the cable ring in the water.
- Allow the ring to move out the cable until 2-3 feet from the board, then feed the fishing line.
The clips will loosen when a fish strikes, allowing the fishing line to fall behind the boat. Give the fishing line a slight pull if a tiny fish hits and the clip does not release.
Trolling Deep for Trout with Lead Core Line
Similar to flat-lining, this approach is put up and fished. The weighted line, on the other hand, allows you to fish further. The majority of lines are colored in 10-yard intervals and sink at a set rate (i.e., 5 ft per 10 yds. section). You can do this by:
- On a spool, thread the desired amount of lead line with backing.
- For a thicker lead line, you’ll need a larger Reel and spool.
- Attach the lure to the monofilament or fluorocarbon leader.
- Deploy at varied depths and distances straight from the back or side of the boat.
- It can also be used in conjunction with planer boards to provide more coverage.
Without the introduction of extra weight, the lead core line will sink. It will allow you to fish deeper and, if wanted, with smaller lures.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best technique in trolling trout for deep waters depends on many circumstances. This includes your gear, lures, and even pace. However, the techniques above will help level up your trolling and fishing game! And soon you will be able to catch large to giant trout!
