Trolling for Spring salmon and trout

MAXUM · 01-31-2018, 05:52 PM

Top guns are great and they don't have to be kept alive. I use them exclusively and they can kill it just like any other bait when the bite is on. Like anything else, figuring out the right color to use on any given day is the challenge but will say that some color patterns I have generally do well all the time regardless of the cloud cover, time of day or water temps.

Personally I think it's more a matter of personal preference than it is one being better than the other. More important to know where the fish are.

The one piece of gear I do think is helpful to have is downriggers (which I don't have). It is kinda nice to know where your bait is versus guessing.

FamFire · 02-06-2018, 10:12 AM

Downriggers I have. We're set up on a 20 ft CC with a 150HP and a 15HP 4 stroke for trolling. Upgraded the electronics last year to the Humminbird Helix 10. I have a couple of Top Guns from AJ's - gold and gold bikini. Love to hear what colors you're "killing it" with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Top guns are great and they don't have to be kept alive. I use them exclusively and they can kill it just like any other bait when the bite is on. Like anything else, figuring out the right color to use on any given day is the challenge but will say that some color patterns I have generally do well all the time regardless of the cloud cover, time of day or water temps.

Personally I think it's more a matter of personal preference than it is one being better than the other. More important to know where the fish are.

The one piece of gear I do think is helpful to have is downriggers (which I don't have). It is kinda nice to know where your bait is versus guessing.

MikeF-NH · 02-06-2018, 12:55 PM

FF, In general most won't provide specifics on "where" and "on what" on a public forum because the immediate response is the entire Internet shows up on that spot pulling the same lure and it takes years some times to rebuild. Folks on other sites found that out several years back...especially for a specific fishery like Winni salmon and lakers.

Having said that, in effort to promote local business, I will say that AJ is very willing to talk to anyone about "what they are hitting right now" which is better (more current information anyway). He might also give some general "where" spots but honestly - fish move around. where they are today, last year and next month will all change. You can simply cruise with that 150 and "see" where the people are trolling. Once you find spot(s)...don't marry one spot...find several and try at different times of day. Generally good spots are crowded (which I prefer to avoid even if my catch rate drops a bit). If fishing these spots, be respectful of others. Give plenty of room and plan your course so you don't have to cross bows (and trash your spread) or sterns and trash their spread. People can get emotional but we all share the resource so I always try to be respectful. If I find people are not being respectful...I pull up my gear and go somewhere else where I can relax and enjoy the sport.

Good luck.

MAXUM · 02-11-2018, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FamFire

Downriggers I have. We're set up on a 20 ft CC with a 150HP and a 15HP 4 stroke for trolling. Upgraded the electronics last year to the Humminbird Helix 10. I have a couple of Top Guns from AJ's - gold and gold bikini. Love to hear what colors you're "killing it" with.

Trout tend to like blue with silver

Salmon like the orange or red with silver or copper. Rainbows like it too.

One other thing to keep in mind, bright lures on sunny days, less color on cloudy days.

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01-31-2018, 05:52 PM	#1
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	Top guns are great and they don't have to be kept alive. I use them exclusively and they can kill it just like any other bait when the bite is on. Like anything else, figuring out the right color to use on any given day is the challenge but will say that some color patterns I have generally do well all the time regardless of the cloud cover, time of day or water temps. Personally I think it's more a matter of personal preference than it is one being better than the other. More important to know where the fish are. The one piece of gear I do think is helpful to have is downriggers (which I don't have). It is kinda nice to know where your bait is versus guessing.

02-06-2018, 12:55 PM	#3
MikeF-NH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 318 Thanks: 2 Thanked 120 Times in 80 Posts	FF, In general most won't provide specifics on "where" and "on what" on a public forum because the immediate response is the entire Internet shows up on that spot pulling the same lure and it takes years some times to rebuild. Folks on other sites found that out several years back...especially for a specific fishery like Winni salmon and lakers. Having said that, in effort to promote local business, I will say that AJ is very willing to talk to anyone about "what they are hitting right now" which is better (more current information anyway). He might also give some general "where" spots but honestly - fish move around. where they are today, last year and next month will all change. You can simply cruise with that 150 and "see" where the people are trolling. Once you find spot(s)...don't marry one spot...find several and try at different times of day. Generally good spots are crowded (which I prefer to avoid even if my catch rate drops a bit). If fishing these spots, be respectful of others. Give plenty of room and plan your course so you don't have to cross bows (and trash your spread) or sterns and trash their spread. People can get emotional but we all share the resource so I always try to be respectful. If I find people are not being respectful...I pull up my gear and go somewhere else where I can relax and enjoy the sport. Good luck.