04-29-2012, 06:24 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Pretty hard to offer realistic advice when we don't know what water you will be fishing, what the depths are and what the fish patterns are throughout the year. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sounds like you will be going during the warm part of the summer, when lake trout are typically quite deep. You need to get info on the lake you will be fishing to find the deep spots and make sure you can safely reach and fish them from a tube. On some lakes the deep summer spots are dangerously far offshore...if a wind should come up.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]No matter where lakers are found, one of the best ways to fish them is with tube jigs...vertical presentation...with or without a piece of fish meat for sweetener. Again, do some research on the lake you choose and you should get some clues.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the key requirements is a good sonar. You need to be able to find the fish and ideally to watch them in "real time"...along with your jig...to know how they are reacting to your lures and presentation. Otherwise you are fishing blind and won't even know when you are in the right zone. Catching big lake trout in waters that are hit hard by knowledgeable anglers is very tough if you are not properly prepared.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The pike are another matter. They should be just offshore along breaklines near shallow water...where they have finished spawning. Now they will be actively feeding. Look for brush or rocks...or other structure. Pike are ambush predators and when you drag a big crankbait, spinner or swimbait by their lair they rush out to grab it. Be sure to use a short length of wire or you will donate lures to the toothy critter fund. Just like fishing for smallies in Deer Creek only you use bigger lures and catch bigger fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck and have fun. Look forward to your report...and some pictures.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sounds like you will be going during the warm part of the summer, when lake trout are typically quite deep. You need to get info on the lake you will be fishing to find the deep spots and make sure you can safely reach and fish them from a tube. On some lakes the deep summer spots are dangerously far offshore...if a wind should come up.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]No matter where lakers are found, one of the best ways to fish them is with tube jigs...vertical presentation...with or without a piece of fish meat for sweetener. Again, do some research on the lake you choose and you should get some clues.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the key requirements is a good sonar. You need to be able to find the fish and ideally to watch them in "real time"...along with your jig...to know how they are reacting to your lures and presentation. Otherwise you are fishing blind and won't even know when you are in the right zone. Catching big lake trout in waters that are hit hard by knowledgeable anglers is very tough if you are not properly prepared.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The pike are another matter. They should be just offshore along breaklines near shallow water...where they have finished spawning. Now they will be actively feeding. Look for brush or rocks...or other structure. Pike are ambush predators and when you drag a big crankbait, spinner or swimbait by their lair they rush out to grab it. Be sure to use a short length of wire or you will donate lures to the toothy critter fund. Just like fishing for smallies in Deer Creek only you use bigger lures and catch bigger fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck and have fun. Look forward to your report...and some pictures.[/#0000ff]
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