Hagg lake\trout trolling question

Arima17Ryan · 05-21-2005, 06:25 PM

Ok, so I've perfected my skills enough for fairly quick limits as the norm trolling Hagg lake, but I don't like my set up. I'm using a 2oz banana weight followed by a ford fender, bungee, and lure/bait of choice. It's working well for catching but I don't like the loss of feel with all that gear. I need the weight to get the ford fender down and every time I take the ford fender off my bite drops off. And then I need the bungee to keep the fish hooked to all that junk. Does anybody have another fish killing tactic they'd like to share that doesn't require all that gear? I've tried flat lining small rapalas and stuff but without any luck so far and I've tried downriggers but that's a real pain when the bite is on. I really want to flatline with my ultralight rod, but I never can seem to make it work... I think I need some expert help.

Thanks

Chromaflage · 05-21-2005, 06:44 PM

One thing you could do that is effective is replace the Ford Fenders with Flash-Lites. They are like large thin-twins. Super lightweight and very little resistance in the water as well as very effective attractors.

CrF

Coho Kid · 05-21-2005, 06:53 PM

I have only been out a few times this year to Hagg Lake, but I have been only using a large split shot on the rudder for the ford fenders. I have been using a bungee ahead of the wedding ring with bait of choice. I limited out in about 45 minutes yesterday.

Coho Kid

Last Cast King · 05-21-2005, 06:59 PM

I would second the vote for the Flash Lite flashers, they have much less drag and weight to them. I also have found that they require less weight to get them down to where I want them.
LCK

SlackBite · 05-21-2005, 07:00 PM

Arima,

Chromaflage has it right. Try changing out the Ford Fenders with Mack�s Flash Lites. They take a lot less weight to get down, spin at slower speeds, and they put back the feel of the fight you are looking for. I personally think they out produce the Ford Fender anyway.

SlackBite

Arima17Ryan · 05-21-2005, 07:25 PM

Boy, I guess that I'm going to have to try a flash lite. Thanks everyone.

Coho Kid, what color weddingring do you prefer? I tried a green w/silver blade tipped with worm today and didn't get a bump. I went back to spoons. Dick nites and triple teasers were the ticket for me today. Two limits in four hours but that's not accurate. We threw another limit or so back trying for bigger fish and really we fished only one rod. Once I got the one rod dialed in today I used it as base line and used the other rod to experiment with new things. I also tried some new-to-me areas in the lake which wasted a lot of time. Nothing I tried today could match the triple teaser for take downs.

SCR Steelheader · 05-21-2005, 07:45 PM

all i ever do is use just ford fenders and then about 3 feet of leader to a wedding ring with chartruse power bait, and troll that about 30 feet of the shore, i always get my limit.

Dr Strangelove · 05-21-2005, 10:20 PM

Try 12lb lead core line and either Flash-Lites or Luhr Jensen Kokanee trolls, the latter having small blades with even less drag than FL's. I really like the rainbow blades for overcast days, and blaze orange for deep running. Fish the shiney silvers as a go-to, and the golds for shallow running sunny days/clear water. The lead core line has no stretch, so either a bungee or limber glass rod is the ticket.

Another option is the Ford Fenders off the downrigger ball and the Falcon Diver clip to drop the leader down to within a foot of the blades (wherever you set the stopper). When the fish is on, the leader pops off the release, the diver shifts its internal weight, and returns to the surface for easy reattachment without having to bring up the ball.

The other really good metal blade chains are the Bolo #3's in a variety of colors, and the old reliable Dave Davis in hammered half gold/silver, the latter especially good for trout.

KZ4LIFE · 05-22-2005, 05:52 AM

Try a 4" or 6" Konezone made less than 10 miles away from Hagg Lake! USA where quality tackle is made.

kwik karl · 05-22-2005, 03:12 PM

I've started using the big "fish flash" attractors I use for salmon up there. They work just fine and the have almost zero drag on your line. They make all sort of different sizes, but I've only used the big ones and they have always worked for me. Just my 2cents.
KK

pescado mucho · 05-22-2005, 07:09 PM

I always use a scotty "lake-troll" mini downrigger. They are only $69 and you can fish with no lead!

I also use a shasta tackle shuttlehawk. This thing can be found at GiJoes. It allows you to fish the downrigger without taking the ball up and down between fish. The shuttlehawk kinda looks like a jetdiver with a downrigger clip on it. It goes over the downrigger cable, and dives when you clip you line to it. When you catch a fish and it unclips the line, the diver "flies" back up for the next time.

I always use a snubber and a small 4" kone zone. I have the best luck on either green konezone and snubber with a green or red wedding ring. Also use the red konezone and snubber as well.

trollin4trout · 05-23-2005, 07:03 AM

This early in the year when the fish are still on top, I use a microlight rod w/one split shot and and a needlefish at Haag Lake. Troll for 10 minutes then change colors until you find the one they want. Triple teasers, Dick Nites, Hotshots, Flatfish, Wedding Rings, flies -can all be fished the same way.

Some days they just won't hit a lure no matter how pretty they are! I then go to a split shot with one hook and a third of a worm. Make sure the one inch piece of worm hangs straight and is not curled up and spinning. This can be deadly and is simple to do.

When the water begins to warm up and the lake gets busier the fish will go deeper and the downrigger is a must. Watch the fishfinder to see what depth they're at, or start at 10 feet and go down at 10 foot increments until you find them.

No need for all that extra heavy gear, weights, poles to catch trout at Haag.

Mister G. · 05-23-2005, 08:47 AM

Ryan,

Here's another vote for the Shasta Tackle "Shuttlehawk" It's really nice not to have to crank the downrigger up each time you have a strike. With a really light action rod I have been able to get away with not using a snubber. That means just your lure on the line and nothing else. Haven't ever seen a Falcon Diver but it sounds like the principle is the same.

DB

oregonmuley · 05-23-2005, 08:57 AM

Another vote for the Flash Lites. I started using them about 3 years ago at Hagg Lake or North Fork or Detroit and hardly ever change to anything else. I fish a ultralite trout rod, maybe a 1/4oz. lead and it seems to work most days.
Frank

Arima17Ryan · 05-23-2005, 10:33 AM

Thanks again everyone. I just picked up a flashlite and will be giving it a shot soon.