Comprehensive Guide to Kayak Trout Trolling
What are the Effective Lure Setups for Kayak Trout Trolling?
Types of Lures and Rigging Techniques:
- Spoons and Plugs: Little Cleo spoons, Rapalas, and Kastmasters are highly effective for trout trolling. These lures can be used with or without additional weights to achieve the desired depth.
- Rigging: For spoons, use a leader of 3-4 feet with split shot to adjust the depth. For plugs, attach them directly to the line or use a short leader.
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Recommended Brands: Little Cleo, Rapala, and Kastmaster are popular choices.
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Flies and Beads: Using flies like Wooly Buggers or Blob Flies with a red bead and wiggle fin can be very effective. These setups are often used with a short leader and split shot.
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Rigging: Attach the fly to a 3-foot leader, followed by a red bead and wiggle fin. Use split shot to adjust the depth.
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Live Bait: Trolling live shiners, such as common or golden shiners, can be very effective, especially in deeper waters. Use a small to medium-sized hook and a fluorocarbon leader.
- Rigging: Attach the shiner to a small hook connected to an 8-pound test fluorocarbon leader via a small barrel swivel.
Recommended Gear:
– Rods: Use a 6- to 7-foot rod rated for 6- to 10-pound line. Ultra-light spinning rods can also be effective for smaller trout.
– Reels: Daiwa Sealine B with Line Counter or similar reels that allow for precise depth control.
– Line: 12- to 18-pound test braided line or lead-core line for deeper trolling.
How to Control the Depth of Trolled Bait?
Methods and Tools:
- Weights and Sinkers: Use split shot, trolling sinkers (1/8 to 3/4 oz), or banana weights to adjust the depth of your lure.
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Downriggers: For more precise depth control, a portable downrigger system can be used. This involves attaching a weighted ball to a leader that clips onto the running line, allowing the bait to be held at a specific depth.
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Line Length: Longer lines will generally result in deeper depths. Adjust the line length based on the desired depth and the type of lure used.
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Lead-Core Line: Using lead-core line can help achieve deeper depths without the need for heavy weights. More lead core in the water will drop the lure deeper.
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Rod Tip Elevation: Adjusting the rod tip elevation can temporarily raise or lower the lure in the water column, which is useful for avoiding shallow areas or structure.
What are the Recommended Trolling Speeds for Kayak Trout Trolling?
Speed Ranges and Effects on Trout Behavior:
- General Speed Range: For most trout trolling, speeds between 1 and 3.5 mph are effective. This range allows the lure to swim naturally and attracts trout without spooking them.
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Variable Speeds: Varying the speed, such as paddling faster for a few minutes and then slower, can help trigger more strikes. Trout often key in on specific speeds, so noting the speed at which you get bites and repeating it can be beneficial.
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Early Morning and Late Evening: Trout are often more active during these times, and slower speeds (around 0.5 to 1 mph) can be more effective.
What are the Ideal Kayaking Spots and Launch Locations for Trout Trolling?
Known Locations and Local Regulations:
- Mountain Lakes: Look for steep cliffs, feeder creeks, and drops in mountain lakes. These areas often indicate structure below the water that can attract trout.
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High Sierra Lakes: These lakes are known for their trout populations and can be accessed via kayak. Ensure you have the necessary permits and follow local regulations.
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Local Regulations: Always check local fishing regulations for specific lakes or areas. Permits may be required, and there may be restrictions on the types of gear and bait you can use.
How to Optimize the Kayak Trout Trolling Experience?
Ideal Distance Between Lures and Quantity of Lures:
- Distance Between Lures: To avoid tangles, use a staggered setup where the rear rods have heavier lures and the front rods have lighter lures. This setup allows you to cover different depths without tangling lines.
- Quantity of Lures: Typically, 2-4 lines are used from a kayak. This allows you to cover different depths and increases your chances of catching fish.
Cost Estimates for Necessary Gear:
- Basic Setup: A basic setup including a rod, reel, line, and lures can cost between $100 to $300.
- Advanced Setup: Adding a downrigger system or lead-core line can increase the cost to $500 or more, depending on the quality and brand of the gear.
Reference Links
- Controlling Lure Depth while Trolling From a Kayak by John Veil – [Fishtalk Magazine]
- How To Troll From A Kayak And Catch More Fish by Kayak Angler Magazine – [Kayak Angler Magazine]
- Yak It Up: Trolling for Trout by The Fisherman – [The Fisherman]