the line will go completely slack as the fish chases down the lure and violently pushes it forward before turning and going a different direction . I have had fish damn near yank the rod out of my hand while using these things .

Color selection has been critical when using little Kwikfish more than any other lure . By far , the Frog color has been the best on Rainbow Trout . Pearl and Gold have also been very good for me , and each lake and species of trout has had a definite color that works best . I have paid the “ iron cost ” in finding out what works best at each body of water by countless hours of experimentation .

The big key to using these little plugs is teaming them with a rod , reel and line combo that can effectively cast and retrieve such a light little lure . I prefer a 7 ’ spinning rod rated for 4-8lb line and a 1000 size spinning reel . Braided mainline is an absolute must . I prefer 8lb braid that has the diameter of 2lb mono .

The thin diameter of braid is the only way to cast these lures that are wind resistant and virtually weightless . Plus , the thin line allows the plug to dive to its maximum depth of about 4 feet . These lures are perfect for retrieving over a weed bed in shallow bay or a spring creek . You will also need a Fluorocarbon leader in the 8-12 pound range .

I connect the braid to the Fluorocarbon with a little tiny Spro barrel swivel . The hooks on a stock Kwikfish stink , and to really make them consistently hook and hold big fish another split ring must be added in addition to a high quality hook . I prefer Gamakatsu trebles on these plugs . The additional split ring reduces torque on the hook , and keeps the lure from pulling the hook out of the fish ’ s mouth while fighting the fish .

¼ Ounce or Less Kastmaster If I only could have one lure in my tackle kit , it would definitely be a Kastmaster . I have caught everything from stripers to my personal best 10.75 pound full finned holdover rainbow on this lure . They work dynamite in saltwater or at 10,000 ft . in a crystal clear lake where Golden trout live . Just change the size of the lure for whatever species you are targeting .

The almost 10.75 pound rainbow I caught on a ¼ ounce Kastmaster mistook it for a dying minnow on a jigged retrieve right at dusk . That fish had seen a lot of lures in her day , but she couldn ’ t resist a dying fluttering minnow in low light conditions . She swallowed that spoon to the back of her throat .

When the bite is dead slow , and the fish just aren ’ t feeding , I have found that a jigged Kastmaster will often draw a reaction strike when nothing else works . I like to cast the spoon out and let it flutter down . A good “ rip ” on the rod will cause the spoon to surge forward . Then let the spoon free fall down . The fluttering fall is what the big fish can ’ t resist . Just retrieving the lure at a steady speed will draw strikes , but the flutter is irresistible .

Lyman ’ s Lures I have heard that there has been an interruption in the supply of Lyman Lures coming down from Canada . That ’ s a real shame as these lures are by far the best lure to troll off a downrigger for all varieties of trout . These lures catch big , smart old trout . That ’ s all there is to it .

My friend , Jeff Morris , just landed a 28 pound mackinaw the other day ago at Donner Lake on one of these plugs . The key to the Lyman Lure ’ s action is a darting side to side motion . It covers more

SUTTER MARINE IS YOUR DEALER FOR water behind a downrigger ball than any other lure . Whereas the classic minnow plug will track in a more or less straight line , the Lyman will dart side to side and back in forth in a 3 ’ radius .

The Lyman is truly a dynamic lure . The 4 ” version in a kokanee paint color is the typical weapon of choice for browns and mackinaw in most Sierra Lakes . Meanwhile , a smaller 2-3 ” version in the gold “ Showgirl ” color is selection anywhere that Tui Chubs are the main forage . These lures have routinely surprised me by showing me just how big the trout get in a given lake . I have caught fish on these things that have seemed out

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This huge Nevada State rainbow smashed a frog pattern Kwikfish . Photo by MIKE MCNIELLY , Fish Sniffer Staff .

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