What's in your trout arsenal?

[Derek]

Besides live bait, what do you use for trout?  Lures? Spinning or baitcasting gear?  Line? 
(for reservoir trout fishing)

Thanks

Derek

[phishahn]

Hey, I use Okuma baitrunner reels, 8'6" steelhead rods, 10lb. trilene green xl w/8lb flurocarbon leader (seagar), bright colored #1 Gamagatsu hooks or smaller depending on bait size. I use a weight holder w/snap and keel weights that slides on the main line. Also, have 1 rod rigged for a bobber with a technique developed to adjust depths w/o line stoppers, and 1 rigged for a flat line. The bait-runner reels eliminate the need for strike guards. I also have downeaster rod holders as well as tite-locks. The rest is all general stuff.

[VinnyH]

Derek,
I think we're gonna have to take phishahn out on the luxury liner on Kensico next season. You write everything down and I'll videotape his every move. 

Best Always,
Vinny

[KenH]

Phishan

Would you mind explaing how the Okuma baitrunner reels work?
I've been using the old trusty triggerguards for decades literally
and as you know, the line feeds out freely in the bail open position.

All the sites showing the Okuma baitrunner reels say that the lever at the
back allows for "free spooling". Does that mean that when the line is taken out
the spool spins with the bail in the closed position?
If so, does the line really feed out free of resistance as much as an open bail?

Thanks very much. I've yet to even see one of these reels in person to check
this out for myself.

Ken H

[KenH]

Derek

In the reservoirs shore-based trout fishermen almost invariably use spoons,
mostly the Luhr Jensen Krocodiles and other very similar models. That's about
all I've ever had luck on but could be because that's all I use. Shore fishermen
need a good weight casting lureto reach trout in early spring and late fall and
the spoon is ideal. Many of us do the cast, let drop and flutter, bring up, drop again routine to get that "injured sawbelly" action. While spinners have worked for me on small stream trout I've never done well with them on the reservoirs.
I'm looking to try out some minnow-type plugs next spring.

KenH

[phishahn]

Hey guys, fishing in the luxury liner would be a treat and something that will get done next year. I would love to get on the Kensico to apply our tactics. As far as baitrunners are concerened, your correct, the bail is closed and the tension is adjusted by the angler, it can get as loose as you want w/o peeling off, they are very,very effective, and relatively cheap, just bought 2 for my partner from Cabela's for about 40 bucks each, and they don't hold too much line, about 170yds of 10lb. Looking forward in getting out next year on your pond and of course you guys venture northwest to Roundout early in the season and we'll pound Pepacton May (late) and hit it real hard June/July, da-phish.

[Derek]

Thanks for the responses guys

What size spoon do you recommend?  Do you use a wire leader? what size? 

How deep are the trout at this time of year?

[phishahn]

Hey Derek, not areas of my expertise. I would say the colder the water the smaller your spoons, As far as where are the trout this time of year? Who knows, water temp. will dictate that, and actually the colder it gets the more things will slow down in the lakes. It's time to go steelie fishing in the rivers, put your lake stuff down for the winter nap, take off all the old line and take inventory of what's needed for '08. I know I will be seriously contemplating a drift sock for the next season, anyone out there have any advice or experience with them? Thanks, Da-phish.

[KenH]

Derek

Spoon size mostly 1/4 to 5/8 oz. Once in a while I'll see someone whipping
a 1/2 oz waaaay out there. No wire leader.
Normally in December right up to the Ice closing up the waters the trout are
fairly close to shore or in shallows. That's because usually the shallower water
warms up quicker. I've seen 24 inch class Brown trout cruising not more than 2 ft from the edge of the water in January up at Croton Falls. Last year we had a warm winter so I caught 4 lakers in Kensico up to Dec 23rd. One of the guys at the Cross River Sportman bait shop took a 6lb Brown up there on Jan 6th. I saw the photo. The Lakers usually are also in shallow water 10-20ft but near the bottom unlike the Browns.
But this year the weather just really crumbled starting from Dec 1st and it's been hard to find good weather days all month. I still think the water is colder than last year especially since we haven't had much sun to warm it up.
When the water gets really cold the fish get sluggish and live bait is far more effective than casting spoons. Not to mention that your guides are going to freeze up from casting and retrieving. But when it's really cold even live bait won't do the trick because the trout will mouth your bait, run with it and just drop it. The way this December has been I'm not sure I'll even have one more chance to try this year before putting the gear away till spring.

 

[Derek]

Thanks for clarifying everything.  I fished underneath the rt 22 bridge today and threw 1/4oz - 1/2oz spoons for a couple hours.  I had constant trouble with my outfits freezing up and my 10/2 braid kept getting knots (first time I tried this size braid...)  I have one more spot I want to try and then I may just wait for the ice to come and go ice fishing.  Good to know you can still catch nice ones in dec/jan

[Tom]

Derek,
Just wanted to ket you know that while ice fishing is allowed on several reservoirs (including Cross River and Titicus to name two), Kensico is considered too dangerious for ice fishing. I believe it is due to the currents and the possibility of thin ice mixed with thick ice. Good luck and be careful out there.
Tom

[Derek]

Thanks Tom I'll keep that in mind

[KenH]

Derek

Coming up RT22 northbound, which side is better to park?
I presume before crossing the bridge?
Can you get down nto the water from either side of the bridge itself?
Thanks