Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: johng on July 11, 2012, 11:12:21 AM

Title: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: johng on July 11, 2012, 11:12:21 AM: 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? :dunno:

Any tips would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Jg
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: h20hunter on July 11, 2012, 11:18:49 AM: 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.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: h20hunter on July 11, 2012, 11:20:26 AM: Like this little guy........

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=862610 (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=862610)
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: Curly on July 11, 2012, 11:20:55 AM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 11, 2012, 11:23:59 AM: You could try some split shot and a slip bobber. That's how I fish perch when they're deep.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: chester on July 11, 2012, 11:36:48 AM: 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.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: Curly on July 11, 2012, 11:49:59 AM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: jackmaster on July 11, 2012, 12:23:08 PM: 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
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: Button Nubbs on July 11, 2012, 12:43:18 PM: Don't know how deep you have to get but maybe rig a couple oz of weight on a dropper?
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: FC on July 11, 2012, 01:09:27 PM: Something like a little lake-troller type downrigger or a small deep-six diver.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: wraithen on July 11, 2012, 02:15:11 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: RadSav on July 11, 2012, 02:40:23 PM: 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.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: bearpaw on July 11, 2012, 02:46:10 PM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: rasbo on July 11, 2012, 02:56:58 PM: 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
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: Curly on July 11, 2012, 03:49:49 PM: Quote from: RadSav on July 11, 2012, 02:40:23 PM
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# (http://Kastmasters) 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).
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: MtnMuley on July 11, 2012, 04:09:04 PM: Run a dropshot set up. Instead of tying on the hook, tie on the Panther Martin/etc. That will get you down quick and allow you to fish vertically as well. :twocents:
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: johng on July 11, 2012, 04:13:20 PM: Wow! Thanks for all the great responses! :tup:

Now I just need to figure out which method(s) to try. :)
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: 206 on July 11, 2012, 07:08:54 PM: Smoke lake kokes and baker socks with 2 oz lead - 4' leader - dodger - and short leader to hooks.

2oz gets down 30' easy if trolling slow. I drag a drift sock for that.

Step up to 3 oz if need deeper, but braid and the right gear will be a great asset.

forgot to mention: Only one electric downrigger on my boat for ME, but my wife has out fished me many times using the above. Pinks 30' down in the salt too.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: Kola16 on July 11, 2012, 11:48:53 PM: Do you have to use a lure? Why not just drop a crawler to the bottom :dunno:
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: 206 on July 12, 2012, 05:22:15 PM: 3 labs and thats all you got? Hot dogs ain't good either.
Title: Re: How to fish lures deep in a lake
Post by: Kola16 on July 12, 2012, 07:46:45 PM: Quote from: 206 on July 12, 2012, 05:22:15 PM
3 labs and thats all you got? Hot dogs ain't good either.

:chuckle: Only Kola is mine (on the left). The yellow lab (Buddy) belongs to a friend of mine, and he is way to out of shape to be my dog (110 lbs.). Caboose is the chocolate lab, and it is a dog that is missing part of it's brain (my cousin's dog). But.......I love them all so they all are on there...............back to the topic.