My Top Three Lake Trout Trolling Setups
There are many other options that I plan to discuss in future articles. The following six rod spread
accounts for the vast majority of Lake Trout that hit my net each spring.
1. Downriggers
Downriggers handle the majority of my activity. An Okuma Convector 30
spooled with 17 or 20 lb mono and a good medium/medium light weight, slow-moderate action rod works fantastic on the
downriggers. I tie a Dreamweaver Ball Bearing Snap Swivel on the end of the line where I plan to
attach an attractor, and sometimes I downsize the snap swivel when I intend to run smaller spoons.
When I’m fishing, I’ll generally let out between 15 and 30 feet of line, then clip my line into the
downrigger release and send it to the bottom. When I say bottom, I mean bottom. It’s not uncommon
for me to intentionally drop my downrigger balls in the mud to entice my otherwise lazy quarry into
activity. This can be risky business. Take caution when attacking the bottom of the lake. You never
know what might catch your downrigger weight. For me, it’s worth the risk, but it could make for an
expensive date if you aren’t on your game.
Most of my lines are targeting the deepest few feet of the water column when I’m in Laker Country,
but I’m not afraid to park some lines higher in the water column to keep any suspended critters
honest.
2. Inside Dipsy Divers
Next in line are my inside dipsey diver rods. Another Okuma Convector 30
reel this time spooled
with braided steel or PowerPro Braid accompanied by an 8-9 foot dipsy rod
is the tool of choice in
this position. Dreamweaver Deeper Divers set at a 1 or 1 1/2 setting generally sit in this position with
a mix of either spoons or smaller more streamlined attractors and floating spinner rigs.
By more
streamlined, I mean they travel through the water with less effort. These lend themselves better to
being pulled behind a dipsey diver than some of the larger and more active attractors like cowbells.
Most of the time, these lines are slightly higher in the water column than my downriggers, but I’m
talking inches, not feet here. All of my gear is normally in the same wheelhouse unless I’m
consistently marking fish that are higher in the water column or otherwise hunting for the right depth
and active fish.
Often their bellies are glued to the bottom and I’m running my gear right through their living room,
between the couch and the TV.
3. Outside Diver Rods
The last major contributor to my small boat spring Lake Trout program are my outside diver rods.
Another Convector with either PowerPro Braid or braided steel and a longer 10 foot dipsey rod is my
choice here to ensure ample rod tip separation between my inside and outside dipsy rods. Another
pair of Dreamweaver Deeper Divers set on a 3 or 3 1/2 are generally trailed by spoons that round out
my six rod spread.
You’ll have days where spoons are winning, and you’ll have days that attractors are winning. It pays
to be flexible in your approach, let the fish tell you what they want that day, and don’t try to force a
program on them because it’s what you’re used to running. I set a time limit for my setups, and retire
unproductive colors, spoons, sizes, etc. with little hesitation when other rods are consistently taking
fish.
The diagram below illustrates what my typical six rod spread tends to look like:
