How to fish lures deep in a lake

[johng]

Hello fellow anglers,

So I have heard that cutthroats like to hang out in deeper water in the lakes during the summer months.  There is a marshy type lake that I want to fish that holds cutts and am trying to figure out how to get my lures into deeper water.  I will have a raft but as this is the first time I will be deploying said backpacking raft I won't be getting too fancy and won't be trolling.

That being said how would you guys approach fishing lures deep (Panther Martins, Silver Spinners, etc) into deep water either from the raft or the bank?  I was thinking I could just get a heavier type lure but that means a bigger hook and these are trout and not salmon.... should I just change the hook out to like a #4 or something?

What about putting split shot a foot or two above the lure?  Would that help get it down to the deeper water?  This marshy lake / beaver pond isn't too deep I don't think.  I would venture to guess it is maybe 30 feet deep in the middle?   

Any tips would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Jg

[h20hunter]

I think they make a cheap clamp on style downrigger for small crafts like a canoe or little boat.....that may work out pretty well.

[h20hunter]

Like this little guy........

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=862610

[Curly]

Split shot should work.  Or, try fishing very early (as the sun is coming up) or very late in the day (at sunset) when the fish are more likely to be shallow.

[NRA4LIFE]

You could try some split shot and a slip bobber.  That's how I fish perch when they're deep.

[chester]

Cutthroat? RoosterTail with a slow retrieve 1/8 or 1/6 ounce.black,white, or watermelon. maybe one or two split shot about 18inches above the lure. always worked for me.

[Curly]

Another tip:  Try spooling up your reel with Flourocarbon line.  Since floro sinks, you will be able to get your lures deeper than if you use mono.

[jackmaster]

you can get weighted line, guys use it when they fish crecent lake, gotta get real deep there, and then you can still use your favorite lure, i still like the full nightcrawler with a bit of a tail below the hook, good luck to ya, your definatly limited with a raftyou can make a hand down rigger as well and use a 2lb ball, you just slip it right over the side the problem is pulling it in and trying to fight your fish with one hand, but it can be done... again good luck

[Button Nubbs]

Don't know how deep you have to get but maybe rig a couple oz of weight on a dropper?

[FC]

Something like a little lake-troller type downrigger or a small deep-six diver.

[wraithen]

I met a guy that wanted to keep powerbait at the bottom of a lake. It worked amazing for him. He put an egg sinker above a snap swivel and then used a 1 - 2' leader with just powerbait on the hook. Kept the powerbait right in front of the fish. Guy usually limited when everyone else got their first fish of the day.

[RadSav]

Run some spoons.  A lot of different retrieve/jig options with a spoon.  Can also use lead head jigs and small soft plastics.  They used to make a super small craw tube that should work great on cuts.  They aren't often picky taking crappy jigs, shad jigs, Super-Dupers, even rubber bodied caddis nymphs allowed to sink slowly and naturally.

[bearpaw]

I always liked using rubber core sinkers, they don't damage your line like split shot do and they are easy to take on and off.

[rasbo]

cast out and count till it hits bottom,if its 5,count 4 next time and retrieve just fast enough to keep the blade working and not hitting the bottom

[Curly]

Run some spoons.  A lot of different retrieve/jig options with a spoon.  Can also use lead head jigs and small soft plastics.  They used to make a super small craw tube that should work great on cuts.  They aren't often picky taking crappy jigs, shad jigs, Super-Dupers, even rubber bodied caddis nymphs allowed to sink slowly and naturally.

That's a good point.  He mentioned spinners, but spoons and jigs would likely be better for deeper presentations.  I'd definitely try super-dupers or http://www.acmetackle.com/kastmaster-fishing-lure.html# and I still think flourocarbon line would be a good idea, but you can get by with mono especially if you go with light line (probably 4lb test).