3 Can't-Miss Trolling Rigs for Summer Trout

Longer and warmer summer days lead to rivers running hot and low. When that happens and the bite shuts down in your favorite trout stream, load up a canoe, kayak or car topper and head to the nearest lake or pond that harbors a solid trout population.

As the mercury climbs, trout are forced to head deeper for the well-oxygenated water they need to thrive. While this begins to narrow the search, it does come with a few nuances. In the summertime, most Eastern lakes and reservoirs are split into three distinct layers. The top layer consists of extremely warm water and is uninhabitable by trout, while the bottom layer has the coolest water but is devoid of quality oxygen. This leaves the middle layer, also known as the thermocline, where the water is cool, oxygen levels are high and forage is plentiful. This is where the bulk of trout can be found, but it also happens to be the smallest of the three layers. However, the thermocline can be found with the use of basic sonar, which typically involves simply identifying where the most bait and active fish are being marked. While other gamefish such as pike and bass have a higher tolerance for warm water, it is common to find gamefish of all in the thermocline. To master this part of the water column, focus on three trolling tactics to cover water and put trout in the boat.

HARD BAITS

The easiest way to get down to the ever-productive thermocline is to use baits that are made to dive to appropriate depths. With most thermoclines existing around 10 to 20 feet down in main-lake basins, diving crankbaits and stick baits are reliable options. A time-tested presentation is the classic model F03 Original Floating Rapala. This bait measures a very trout-friendly 1 1/2 inches long and dives to 4 feet when trolled. To make the lure dive deeper, add a few pieces of small split shot directly above the bait. This addition will not inhibit the lure’s action and will ensure that it stays in productive water. Another popular option is the Berkley Hit Stick in the 1 3/8-inch size.

To gear up for this trolling tactic, opt for medium- to medium-light spinning or casting rods paired with mid-size reels spooled with 6- to 10-pound monofilament. Great locations to key on are drop-offs, extended points and offshore reefs and humps. Begin by simply letting out enough line until your bait is running at an appropriate depth—50 to 75 feet of line is often a good place to start. Let out more line periodically until you begin getting consistent action. For paddlers, focus on maintaining a consistent speed, though you might need to experiment with speeding up and slowing down until the fish cooperate.

LEAD CORE

Throughout the history of trout fishing, the spoon has likely accounted for more successful fishing trips than any other presentation. The difficulty with trolling spoons is that they require assistance to get down to the depths where trout can be found in the summer. The easiest way to achieve this is by using lead-core line, which is a Dacron line with a thin thread of lead running through the middle that causes the line to sink. Most lead core comes marked in 10-yard increments designated by different colors to let anglers know how much line they have out at a given time. It is standard for lead core to sink about 5 feet per color, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of where the bait is running in the water column.

Rod and reel options are limited to conventional combos, as lead core cannot be used with spinning tackle. Pick trolling-specific reels with line counters for added precision. The Okuma Cold Water Line Counter is a value-packed option that will not break the bank, while the Okuma Classic Pro GLT Trolling Rod is a tough rod to beat. When it comes to spoons, there are many quality options on the market. My personal favorite is the Luhr-Jensen Krocodile, which comes in multiple sizes and colors, and its unique action appeals to all species of gamefish. When trolling with lead core, begin by letting out enough colors until your bait is running at the desired depth. From there, be sure to troll in “S” curves. This pattern adds a ton of erratic action to your spoon and is a simple way to cover more contours.

FLATLINE

In fishing, there are seldom hard-and-fast rules, and such is the case with summer trout. While the bulk of fish can be found in and around the thermocline, early mornings and evenings offer the subtle dips of temperature necessary to allow trout to creep up into the top of the water column to feed. These periods give anglers the chance to simply flatline troll. Any manner of popular trout baits can be effective. The Acme Little Cleo Spoon is a great option, as the action is erratic but not too aggressive. Other top choices include small spinners such as the Panther Martin.

Some anglers take the natural route and slow-troll whole nightcrawlers by threading them on a tandem-hook rig comprising two long-shank Aberdeen hooks with a small split shot positioned above the nightcrawler to get it below the surface. Flatline trolling is the most basic of all trolling tactics. Many anglers use this opportunity to utilize ultralight spinning gear to ensure a great light-tackle experience.

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• This article was featured in the June-July issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe.

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