Trolling for lakers without downriggers

[Mr.Twister]

Thanks for all the replies guys, just got back today. No lakers, tried bouncing off the bottom with the heavy lead weight and the 3 way swivel. I tried smelt, crawlers, spoons, and rapalas didn't get any takers though. The last few days it was really windy and choppy so I stayed in the more protected areas and caught a ton of 2 - 3 lb smallmouth real good fighters up there. I had a good time but I still want to get a laker.

Thanks again for all the replies I keep my eye on ebay for downriggers.

[troutman]

Mr. Twister, don’t give up with your technique it’s the most effective way to fish for lake trout. The 3 way swivel you are using is not a good idea because the swivel will brake with constant pounding with the sinker on the bottom. A trolling triangle is the way to go. You can’t get them anymore because they don’t make them. I make them myself. Use wire to pound the bottom not lead core. Use a heavy dropper lead for your sinker. I use 30lb monel. Downriggers are not good for fishing the bottom if you have a lake with depths that are changing all the time. The down rig ball will hang up. Lake trout are good eating if you take the small ones. The bigger ones I release back to the lake.

[Thestanimal]

A laker is great if you make a chowder out of them.  That's what i'm doing with the 2
i caught today.

[hunters08]

Why?

They taste like crap and fight like an old boot.

Glad you had fun though.
Good luck.
Mac

i AGREE 100 %

[troutman]

Lake trout are good eating. Smoked lake trout is out of this world. I like to bake the smaller ones and smoke the ones from 22 to 24 inches. The bigger ones go back in the lake. I won’t take out a lake trout 25 to 30 inches. These fish are the breeders. A walleye from Lake Erie is fishy tasting. A Seneca Lake trout is much better eating than any fish that comes out of the great lakes.