BC Fishn
Rainbow Trout apr/18
By Danny Coyne, BC Fishn
Most anglers are aware that paying attention to trolling speeds is critical in achieving a successful day of fishing. There are numerous factors to take into consideration when selecting your speeds, such as the lure you’re using, the species of fish you're targeting, and the time of year, to name a few. One trolling technique that remains consistent when targeting predator fish, such as Rainbow and Lake Trout, is to alter your speed.
Predator fish like to chase their prey! When a bait fish is trying to escape a predator, it doesn’t swim at one rate but rather they make quick bursts through the water. Think of casting a spoon or a crankbait and how we retrieve it. We don’t just keep reeling it in at one speed; we jerk the line and speed our retrieve up and down to create more lifelike action to the lure. The same idea applies to trolling. Many anglers experience very good results when using planer boards and there is a reason why. When the planer board surges in and out of the water with the waves, it transfers erratic burst-like action to the lure, which encourages a striking reaction from the trout.
Introduce this trolling technique regardless if you are long lining or fishing off a downrigger. Find a consistent speed that is making your lures work the most effectively. Then every couple of minutes adjust your throttle to mimic a bait fish bursting through the water trying to escape from a predator. When practicing this method, be sure to select lures that mimic a bait fish, such as plugs, spoons, Wiggle Hoochies and a variety of bucktail flies. I can guarantee you that this will increase your hook-up ratio and put more fish in your net.
Originally published here.
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