Category Archives: Trout & Kokanee

Set a Drift for Spooky Trout

Posted on August 21, 2012 • 6 Comments

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I have issues with downriggers….

Sure, they’re great tools for fishing lakes in the Dog Days of Summer, when the trout and salmon are holding down deep. They allow you to present your lures at precise depths and then get back to that same section of the water column easily. Handy devices to be sure, but I also think there’s an inherent flaw in the system…

Think about it:

You see some fish on your meter, take note of their depth and then drop your gear down to that zone. Sometimes it’s as easy as that. But other times, you may see fish on the screen all day long and have to scratch and claw for a bite. In those cases, we’ll often blame the moon phase, barometric pressure, wind direction or a combination thereof.

But it may be something completely different. Let’s take a look at what’s really happening down there…… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Trout & Kokanee

Hot Technique: Trolling brined baitfish for trout & landlocked salmon

Posted on April 3, 2012 • 2 Comments

Threadfin shad ready to go...all brined up in Atlas-Mike's Brite & Tight

When trolling for landlocked salmon and trout, you can catch plenty of fish on hardware like spoons, hootchies and plugs, but to take your game to the next level, try dragging brined-up baitfish!

Thereadfin shad, minnows, small plug-cut herring and anchovies all work well for his method and, when pulled through the water, a properly rigged bait gives off tons of flash…plus you have the added benefit of an offering that smells like the real thing too…because it is!

Here’s how to do it…… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Techniques, Trout & Kokanee

Underwater View of Trout Trolling: See what you’re missing!

Posted on February 7, 2012 • 8 Comments


Ok trollers pay close attention: You think you know what’s going on down around your downrigger? Think again! I shot this video last summer and fall while chasing rainbows, king salmon and kokanee in various lakes around Nor Cal. Interesting stuff…

Filed Under: Trout & Kokanee, Underwater Video

Getting to know California’s Landlocked Salmon

Posted on June 9, 2011 • 10 Comments

Do you know your landlocks??

While California’s ocean salmon stocks were down in the dumps the past few years, it was an entirely different story inland. Thanks to the efforts of the DFG and organizations like Project Kokanee and Kokanee Power, landlocked salmon are thriving in more Golden State waters than ever before. Of course, they’ll never be able to outgrow or taste better than their ocean-going cousins, but these pint-sized inland salmon provide anglers with plenty of good action throughout the year.

While there are similarities between the three, each species has its own attractive qualities – and unique fishing techniques attributed to it. Let’s take a closer look at California’s Inland Salmon Slam and get to know landlocked kings, kokanee and coho a little better. … Continue Reading

Filed Under: Techniques, Trout & Kokanee

Bass Baits for Fall Trout

Posted on October 17, 2009 • 7 Comments

Fat RainbowIn autumn, when the weather and water temperatures start cooling, big trout begin to shake off their summer lethargy and become active. The dropping water temperatures get the fish salivating like Pavlov’s dogs and they move in close to shore to feast before the onset of winter.

 That’s exactly what makes the upcoming several weeks the most productive time of year to hook a monster.
… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Trout & Kokanee

Fly Fishing with a Spinning Rod

Posted on July 12, 2009 • 32 Comments

Trout and bobber

Fly fishing with spinning gear may sound a bit funky at first, but it’s one deadly trout technique! And what’s really cool is you can take just about any popular fly fishing technique — be it floating dries, indicator nymphing or stripping leeches and streamers — and you can get it done with spinning tackle. In some cases, you can do it in a much more efficient and accurate fashion, too!

That’s right, you can do just as well – or better – tossing little wads of feathers and glue on light spinning gear. Welcome to the brave new world of fluff chucking with the short rod. Come on in, I’ll show you around… … Continue Reading

Filed Under: Trout & Kokanee

Mackinaw Jigging 101

Posted on May 10, 2009 • 5 Comments

Mack Limits.jpgWireline trolling with heavy tackle has long been the staple for mackinaw anglers in deep water lakes like Tahoe, and while it’s extremely effective, the technique isn’t always the most exciting way to catch fish. I much prefer jigging on light bass gear.

Not only do you get to feel the grab, but you also get a lot more spot out of the fish.

Rigging Up

Another cool thing about jigging is you don’t need a lot of sophisticated gear (besides good electronics). I like to fish with 6 1/2- to 7-foot rods rated for 10- to 17-pound line. You need enough backbone to be able to set the hook in deep water, but a sensitive tip so you can feel the bite — which, by the way, often come as the lure is falling. My favorite sticks are GLoomis’ MBR 843 or MBR 783, paired up with a Shimano Curado 200 DHSV reel, which has a 7:1 retrieve rate, which makes cranking up from 100+ feet all the faster.

I run 20-pound Power Pro on my reels — braid is a must when fishing deep because of its sensitivity and lack of stretch. Of course, you need a leader between the braided line and the lure like a 4-foot section of 14-pound Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon.
… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Trout & Kokanee

The Top 5 Trout Lures you’ve never heard of

Posted on August 22, 2008 • 8 Comments

BEZERKER Trout LureSo, anybody can go slay a mess o’ trout on a Rooster Tail, Kastmaster, Mepps or Panther Martin. Big deal! But how many of you can say you’ve caught a big brownie on a Bezerker like the one above?

Apparently, there are scads of trout lures out there besides the household names that can catch fish. Here’s my Top 5 list of the best you probably didn’t even know existed…
… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Trout & Kokanee