Non-Fly trout?

Northern

Northern

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So, my sister is coming out in September to kayak fish some basin lakes with me - but she doesn't fly fish.
We grew up fishing, but there were no trout around, just warmwater fish. (So we're fine on the bass front!)

So, my question to you native PNWers: what would be the best spin lures for trout in those lakes, both casting and trolling?
Just standard Mepps spinner types?
Jigs and curly tails?
(Not looking for powerbait type options)

Thanks for any advice!
 
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I was waiting for the black rooster tail post. Pretty hard to beat.

If you do some trolling I think the little (F2) frog colored Flatfish is pretty hard to beat. Just change out the trebles for a single. Might even be able to buy them with a single.
When I took my kids in the boat I would set them up with these and they usually out-fished me! Have fun!

1753209266438.png
 
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skyriver said:
If you do some trolling I think the little (F2) frog colored Flatfish is pretty hard to beat. Just change out the trebles for a single. Might even be able to buy them with a single.
When I took my kids in the boat I would set them up with these and they usually out-fished me! Have fun!
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Flatfish is my non-fly go-to for trout for the kids also (trolling only). I prefer the F4 size. Confidence colors are Silver and Red (w/yellow eyes). I remove the treble hook and add a swivel...then attach a Siwash hook to the swivel. If you are going way too fast it can cause the lure to spin. It will also spin if the lure is not tuned correctly. When you are trolling at the right speed the tip of your rod should be lightly wiggling...if not wiggling that's usually and indication that something is wrong. Fish it about 3-10' below the surface.
 
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skyriver said:
I was waiting for the black rooster tail post. Pretty hard to beat.

If you do some trolling I think the little (F2) frog colored Flatfish is pretty hard to beat. Just change out the trebles for a single. Might even be able to buy them with a single.
When I took my kids in the boat I would set them up with these and they usually out-fished me! Have fun!

View attachment 161044
Click to expand...
I actually have a few of these (although they're the midwest version - a "Lazy Ike") that I used to fish on a fly rod, already converted to single hook. I'll hunt them down!
These days I tie a foam copycat fly version (a wiggle bug) in all kinds of sizes and configurations. It's one of my most productive flies for multiple species, so this recommendation makes a ton of sense.
Thanks!
 
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Northern said:
I actually have a few of these (although they're the midwest version - a "Lazy Ike") that I used to fish on a fly rod, already converted to single hook. I'll hunt them down!
These days I tie a foam copycat fly version (a wiggle bug) in all kinds of sizes and configurations. It's one of my most productive flies for multiple species, so this recommendation makes a ton of sense.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I may or may not have trolled one on my fly rod several times. 🤫
 
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Northern said:
Thanks for all the ideas, gents!

I might have to take at least one day to fish spin gear myself, just to see how success rate compares to fly stuff 😁
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Years ago my BFs in-laws owned the property on Lone lake next to that giant monstrosity that never had sidding on it.
One memorial day weekend we went and camped all 3 days there, my friend only liked to fish pop gear with worms.
Being a trophy lake that wasn't alowed and he didn't know what to use. Me on the other hand, noticing a bloom going off put on a black wolly bugger and caught about a hundred fish every day just trolling around with my 5wt and floating line.

I think he only caught 5 fish all weekend, I was even calling them when I'd seem on the fish finder and say " see theres a mark, it should bite about now " and whammo fish on. non stop laughter from me, he didn't appreciate it and finally asked if I had any more WB he could try :ROFLMAO:

1 split shot about 2' up from the WB gave enough drag to pull out some line for him to finally get a few fish.

Ah, memories!
 
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Northern said:
Thanks for all the ideas, gents!

I might have to take at least one day to fish spin gear myself, just to see how success rate compares to fly stuff 😁
Click to expand...
You'll catch fish that way for sure, but you might be surprised. It depends on where you're fishing, but in most places, I'll take a fly rod over a gear setup for trout every time. When you start getting into bigger quarry like salmon and steelhead (and fishing bigger water) the gear can start to "shine" a little brighter (longer casts and better depth control).

Like others have mentioned, the "bridge" to fly fishing is fishing flies behind trolling weights or on top with a clear casting bobber, and that can be absolutely deadly. I also happen to be confident that a mini leech fished below a bobber would catch a bunch of trout, too. Maybe you'll make a convert out of your friend!
 
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I converted from gear to fly fishing after I trolled a Carey Special and I caught more fish that way. This was on a very windy Fish Lake over 40 years ago. I never looked back and have had no regrets either.

Luv my Carey Specials.
 
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Stonedfish said:
Flatfish
Triple teasers
Kastmasters
Krocodile spoons
Dick Nites

A keel weight with a bugger or leech pattern behind it will work for trolling as well.
Have fun.
SF
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Boom. Didn't read the other posts but only thing I'd add, the KM and Kroc are "universal" weighted spoons (I'm a Kastmaster only guy for this reason, it does everything). Also I know the TT had a weighted version once upon a time, they still might. Dick Nite might have same, I don't remember, but most popular thin bladed spoon ever. The Flatfish trolls like a dream.

In the end everything works. Here and now I'd again just have the KM but would grab the Kroc spoon next if out of KM's.

...or maybe a Daredevil in the traditional red and white 🤔

Have fun!!
 
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Only needed 1 in a couple sizes back in the day: gold Thomas Lure with red spots. Particularly irresistible to Browns.
 
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Northern said:
So, my sister is coming out in September to kayak fish some basin lakes with me - but she doesn't fly fish.
We grew up fishing, but there were no trout around, just warmwater fish. (So we're fine on the bass front!)

So, my question to you native PNWers: what would be the best spin lures for trout in those lakes, both casting and trolling?
Just standard Mepps spinner types?
Jigs and curly tails?
(Not looking for powerbait type options)

Thanks for any advice!
Click to expand...
Trolling. These tiny hotshot 70 plugs were always simple and effective. Dress the replacement single hook w rabbit strip or marabou. This tail can calm down the action a bit, which is good.

The green back is my preferred pattern.

IMG_9555.jpeg

Casting.
Kastmaster in gold.
Phoebe in silver or gold.

Jay

Ps thanks for starting this thread, I have someone in mind to take fishing who does not Flycast, and had forgotten what I used to do, mostly w kids, in the past. The thin wire circle hook, de barbed and bent to my preferences, used to help keep fish on the barbless hooks.

Pss you can troll them out from a fly rod.
 
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