Question on Trolling
k2muskie
Posted 11/2/2008 12:20 PM (#343426)
Subject: Question on Trolling




Posts: 138


Location: Utah		Okay with the fall and colder water temps out here in Utah...I believe in experimenting with tackle....So I'm wondering if any of you Musky fisherman have used lake trolls aka "pop gear, cowbells, beer cans, etc" to entice the bite of larger Muskies.

We've been able to find large fish suspending over open water and/or in with bait fish pods but only get the smaller Tiger Muskies to hit...30-32 inches. Suspending fish are anywhere from 15 feet to 45 feet of water. Nothing found in shallower water as Pineview has no submerged structure this time of year.

I want to experiment with lake trolls before it's dry dock for the boat and the ice fish'n for pan fish starts...We'd really like to get a larger Tiger in the fall...but have been really stumped on what the heck to do. We've read all articles and are doing everything...but only little ones seem to want to take the lure.

Anxiously awaiting input on this question of using "lake trolls" for Muskies.

Thanks in advance K2 for the advice fellow Musky anglers...
Baby Mallard
Posted 11/2/2008 12:31 PM (#343428 - in reply to #343426)
Subject: RE: Question on Trolling





Use larger crankbaits. A larger profile might trigger the bigger fish.

Edited by Baby Mallard 11/2/2008 12:32 PM
k2muskie
Posted 11/2/2008 12:42 PM (#343430 - in reply to #343428)
Subject: RE: Question on Trolling




Posts: 138


Location: Utah		We've used larger Baby Depth Raiders, Believers etc and still nothing...only a Carp on a Depth Raider and it actually bit the lure with it's large c**dom lips.
Baby Mallard
Posted 11/2/2008 12:44 PM (#343431 - in reply to #343430)
Subject: RE: Question on Trolling





Try a 10" Jake or a 13" Grandma.
muskynorth
Posted 11/2/2008 12:55 PM (#343434 - in reply to #343426)
Subject: RE: Question on Trolling




Posts: 61


Location: Sioux Lookout On Canada		Bigger profile bait and change your trolling speed by turning or slowing down. multiple passes over and around the baitfish is probably necessary.

I like the grandma and the ernies. Storm baits that are soft and life like have triggered fish in the past. 1000rpms works good around here. Maybe the fish has fed already so mark the spot and try later.
dougj
Posted 11/2/2008 1:38 PM (#343436 - in reply to #343426)
Subject: RE: Question on Trolling





Posts: 906


Location: Warroad, Mn

I have used "cowbells" for lakers in Whitefish Bay for many years and have caught hundreds. I'm using the "Giant" cowbell (about four feet long), with a cisco on behind.

In around 40 years of doing this I've never caught a muskie even though there's a good number of them in Whitefish. I'm not sure why, but for some reason the "Cowbells" don't seem to be very attractive to muskies. I've also only caught a few northern pike. All of my Cowbelling for trout is done fairly early in the spring, and in fairly shallow water (less than 30'), so you'd think I would be in the area of the lake where muskies roam.

However, don't want to discorage you, you never know how Utah muskies will react to "Cowbells", but my experience with them hasn't been good.

Doug Johnson



Edited by dougj 11/2/2008 1:39 PM