Trolling lead core vs using live bait

[Colella]

I only use live bait and was thinking about getting into trolling. I wish there were a way to determine the percentage of big trout landed using each method. For those of you that do both, what would you say your % is about? 80% on live, 20% on the troll?

I was looking through the southern NY fishing book, looking at all of those monster trout and asking myself this question.

[Tom]

Colella,
Interesting question that I don't have an answer for. I look at trolling vs live bait as two different techniques, each of which is effective at different times. I know many fisherman are trolling now but in my own experience live bait freelining and jigging are outfishing trolling in this cold reservoir water. I like to use trolling with lead core when the water temps heat up and the lead core is the only way to get a flutter spoon down to the thermoclyne. In the summer I sometimes troll with spoons and sometimes with sawbellies.
Tom

[KenH]

I think there's really no way to actually compare them as reliable data would be pretty much impossible to
obtain. As Tom said, they are two different methods and each will be more productive than the other at times but probably with no consistent results to make an absolute judgement. Some people like to troll, others like to bait fish, and we could even break those down into various categories as well. And there are several other methods that come to mind. Whether one sticks to one method or varies the methods is up to the individual. I think the only thing for certain is that we are all striving to maximize results regardless of the method used.
 

[Colella]

Yeah I think your both right. I know it would be tough to really get an idea of how many monsters fell for the troll. That Southern NY book has a bunch of trout over 10 lbs. I wish it said how they were caught.

The only way to get some what of an answer would be to ask one of the guys that are featured as "the king" of the reservoirs in the Jack Stewart book. I'm sure those guys keep logs and could determine how many 10+ lbers were caught using what method at what time of year.

For instance, last year some one in the book caught 2 trout @ 13lbs each (laker and brown) on 4/1 in the same reservoir. That is very impressive and I don't know but my experience with shinners leads me to believe he must have been trolling. I would say 90% of the big trout in the book were caught before July 1 and most were caught in April and May. Saw bellies are not available until mid April at the earliest. That leads me to believe allot came by trolling.

Sorry for rambling but this is the kind of stuff that goes through my head every day. lol So sad

[KenH]

>For instance, last year some one in the book caught 2 trout @ 13lbs each (laker and brown) on 4/1 in >the same reservoir. That is very impressive and I don't know but my experience with shinners leads me >to believe he must have been trolling.

What if was trolling a shiner? 

[Colella]

What if was trolling a shiner? 

Now your just messing with my head. Isn't fishing supposed to be relaxing lol

I guess the key to landing a monster is just to put the time in.

[KenH]

I found this photo quite inspirational.
http://nyfisherman.net/kensicoreservoir.html

[Colella]

I found this photo quite inspirational.
http://nyfisherman.net/kensicoreservoir.html

See. Trolling. I have to add the technique to my arsenal this year.

I have actually stared at pics like that for a solid 2 minutes straight. If you open the Southern NY book, on the inside front cover there is a pic of this kid, rob hewlett I think, holding a 19 lb Brown he caught out of Rondout. That is my inspiration and I have stared at that pic for some time and still open the book just to look at that fish! So jealous!

[jimmy1]

Colella,
I wouldn't get crazy about those pictures. Just be happy with your own success. Those fish are usually dead when they are weighed in, and could have came from anywhere. Start obsessing about big fish and it becomes less enjoyable ,and more of a chore. The big one usually comes when least expected.

[phishahn]

Colella,
I wouldn't get crazy about those pictures. Just be happy with your own success. Those fish are usually dead when they are weighed in, and could have came from anywhere. Start obsessing about big fish and it becomes less enjoyable ,and more of a chore. The big one usually comes when least expected.

Jimmy, with all due respect, I couldn't disagree more. Of course the fish are dead when weighed in.Obession with big browns is a disease, to me, the only thing that matters is getting the edge on a wary,old monster. Otherwise, I'll just be poser and stand there elbow to elbow with the other idiots catching  the stupid stocked trout.

[Colella]

Colella,
I wouldn't get crazy about those pictures. Just be happy with your own success. Those fish are usually dead when they are weighed in, and could have came from anywhere. Start obsessing about big fish and it becomes less enjoyable ,and more of a chore. The big one usually comes when least expected.

Jimmy, with all due respect, I couldn't disagree more. Of course the fish are dead when weighed in.Obsession with big browns is a disease, to me, the only thing that matters is getting the edge on a wary,old monster. Otherwise, I'll just be poser and stand there elbow to elbow with the other idiots catching the stupid stocked trout.

Jimmy, I have been told this before. I think everyone who loves fishing have there own reasons why they do. Most fisherman would probably agree with each other on the reasons they love fishing. I love to fish for trout because there is always a possibility to hook into a monster in the double digits. That is my objective every time I am on the water. I understand it will not happen 99% of the time and I have fun reeling in every fish I catch. I am never disappointed but always hunting and trying to fool the that fish of a lifetime. Even when I get skunked I have a good time. I love this sport!!

[jimmy1]

Ok, I wasn't questioning anyone's commitment. Stockie's? That's a bit drastic. Just making a point about something I went through a few years ago.

[Colella]

I know I hear ya. And i understand where your coming from. If it ever starts to become more like a choir then I'll start thinking differently. Until then, the hunt continues......

[KenH]

I tend to agree with what jimmy said. On the other hand there are a hell of alot
of worse things a person could become obsessed with other than catching a big
fish.

[arkpov56]

I re-read this thread looking for more info on trolling lead core for browns and found captivating discussion on the eternal question: "why do we fish?"  As there is no simple answer to this I'd like to return to the beginning and ask: "how do we fish?" instead.

I put a lot of effort this year to get a spot on Cross River, bought and equipped another boat and even got a leadcore setup with Cabela's DepthMaster II trolling reel.  And now I find myself still fishing lakers on Kensiko just because I know how to catch lakers in Kensico.  I hesitate to finally start learning CR because I am not sure how to troll leadcore.  I did try it on big K and got… another laker .

I'd really appreciate if such trolling pros like Tom, Phishahn and others shared their experiences in mastering trolling techniques.  For example:  I know that every color puts the bait 5' down.  Is it every color off the reel or in the water?  What speed do I need to maintain to achieve the proper depth?  How do you guys, for God's sake, manage to get this heavy line out in the first place without entangling it on the reel, especially when alone on the boat?  How long should my fluro leader be?  Bellies vs Sutter spoons: when and why?
If someone can give some advise on these questions it may get me started.  Any info on the topic would be of real value.

Thanks,
Ark.