HOW – TO
HOW – TO
12 MARCH 17- 31, 2017 VOL. 36 • ISS. 07
Tips For The Trout Caster
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High Sierra Guru
Chris Hammond is an expert trout angler that really knows the ropes when it comes to plugging for trout. Chris nailed this incredible rainbow while tossing a Luhr Jensen Krocodile spoon from the shoreline of Stampede Reservoir. When the conditions are right, the shore caster can catch just as many trout as a troller.
^Heavy Metal! Heavy aerodynamic spoons are the number one weapon of shore bound trout pluggers because they can be cast long distances and they sink quickly. Here we see a selection of Kastmasters. In terms of spoon colors, author Cal Kellogg likes to start out with baitfish hues, only moving to the bright stuff when the baitfish imitations fail to produce.
^Yo-Zuri provides a number of different plugs that are highly effective for trout. Here we see a selection of Yo-Zuri L Minnows. These minnows are fairly heavy and sink once they hit the water. These baits have a chunky body and a wide intense wobble that really throws off flash and vibration.
^You don’ t want to overlook spinners when it’ s time to cast for trout. Here we see a selection of Vibric Rooster Tails. These lures cast well and can be buzzed just beneath the surface or counted down in much the same way you’ d fish a spoon. Don’ t be afraid to add some twitches and pauses to your retrieve.
The primary forage for trout in many of the West Coast’ s lakes and reservoirs are open water baitfish in the form of threadfin shad and Japanese pond smelt.
When trout are actively feeding, and chasing bait, very good results can be achieved while fishing lures. While lures can catch some trout at any time of the day and under almost any conditions, the best action typically occurs during low light periods such as early and late in the day or when the sky is overcast. One of the big cues for a bank angler to tie on a lure is when trout can be seen jumping, splashing and pursuing minnows.
The best lures for shore anglers that want to imitate minnows are without a doubt wobbling spoons. There are a ton of different spoons on the market, unfortunately for the bank fishing enthusiast many of them were designed exclusively for trolling and are too light for casting.
My all-time favorite casting spoons are Cripplures and Kastmasters. The Cripplure has a unique side to side rolling action that virtually screams injured baitfish. The Kastmaster flies through the air like a bullet, hence the name. When the Kastmaster hits the water it has a traditional side to side kicking action.
The Cripplure only comes in one size. The Kastmaster comes in a wide range of sizes I’ ve found the ⅛ and ¼ ounce model to be the most effective, but I usually have a few ½ ouncers kicking around too.
As good as Kastmasters and Cripplures are there some other spoons you might want to consider adding to your selection. I’ ve had a good deal of success tossing large ½ ounce Hum Dingers from shore. These lures perform best with a fairly brisk retrieve.
presents PLUGGING TIPS FOR SPRING TROUT!
If the trout seem to be a bit lethargic and slow to react Little Cleo Spoons are a great choice. They have a large profile humpback design that gives them a very seductive wiggling action at slow speeds.
Fishing spoons is pretty straight forward, but there are some special kinks that can be incorporated into your repertoire that will result in a few bonus trout every year.
The first thing to think about is your lure to line connection. Kastmasters come with a split ring attached. Other spoons simply have a hole in them. If you tie a tight knot directly to that hole, it will kill a lot of the lure’ s action. You’ ll still catch fish, but if you employ a connection that allows the lure a free range of movement you’ ll catch more.
You can tie on your spoons via a loop knot. I’ ve done it and at times continue to do it, but tying the knot is a pain. It’ s a skill I think you should have in reserve for emergencies, but overall you’ ll be best served by picking up a small
FISH SNIFFER HOW – TO by Cal Kellogg selection of high quality light wire lock snaps. Lock snaps, not snap swivels … while I don’ t think the appearance of a snap scares the trout, I still don’ t like to add to the snap’ s profile by adding a swivel.
Trollers score with spoons and other lures by covering as much ground as they can. The shore caster also needs to cover as much water as possible, but with a very different philosophy. When trollers talk about covering water they are usually referring to distance. For the bank plugger covering water mean covering the available water thoroughly.
The first rule of plugging from the bank is to fan cast. This means that you don’ t want to stand on the bank casting methodically to the same spot. Facing the lake, you have