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Thread: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
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    8-21
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    2,155

    BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    Finally put a downrigger on my tinny, and being new to the "old man" fishing, need some advice on what to get for lake trolling. Mostly local Okanagan fishing, but head up to Kinbasket and Koots regularly.

    Thoughts?

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Okanagan
    Posts
    122

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    Ford Fender, half nickel/brass is a staple in my gear, run 12-18" behind that with a wedding band tipped with worm. Most of the time around 75 to 100 feet back ( I use the old method of number of pulls from reel to first line guide vs number of cranks on the downrigger ) so if I set the ball around 30 feet down it's about 60-80 feet back. I run a 2-3 pound ball on mine as it's a small downrigger and then troll slow enough to get the cable running on 30-45 degree angle.

    If you're headed out to any particular lake feel free to shoot me a PM. If I've been there I can point your boat in the right direction.

    G.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    3,082

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    I use my river rod with a baitcaster and also a cheaper spey rod with a fly real that mimics a scaled down version of a ocean mooching setup. This may may sound funny but I have the most luck with lake trout and bull trout running a gold salmon flasher 15' behind the cannon ball with a glow hootchie or a spin and glow about 20-24" behind it. Troll slow and thank me when you bring in some big fish. I use 10lb cannonballs because I fish the ocean more often and it helps keep that ocean gear down at the depth you want.
    Im not pulling your leg either. I use this setup in stave lake, Pitt lake, Harrison and lac lehache. I'm sure it will work elsewhere. Good luck
    Last edited by Brew; 02-05-2017 at 08:58 PM.
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  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    South Vancouver Island
    Posts
    1,042

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    I like to use the baby sized Dodgers that are half nickel/half brass and trail a Rapala floating minnow 18"-24" behind. I have also converted some big ocean spoons like the Tom Macks to small flashers and they work great for Rainbow, Bull Trout and Kokanee as well.

    I alternate what I trail behind between Rapalas, flatfish, wedding rings, hotspots and sometimes a leader with a worm. They all work.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Hope
    Posts
    12,398

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    Another option is to run a dummy flasher, a flasher off the ball with no hook. Set your line 6 ft or so above that with an apex, flatfish, small spoon whatever. When it hits its just you and the fish and you can get by with a lighter rod. Disclaimer - I know about this from ocean fishing, but don't see why it wouldn't work in fresh water too. I'm going to try some big lake trolling this summer as well and will try this.
    its gonna take a life time to hunt and fish all this

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    1,324

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    I put a Scotty lake troller on my 12 ft tinny and I have since stopped using it. I was trolling along and the ball hit something on the bottom and I was worried for a while the boat was going to sink. If you can picture some waves lapping the rear of the boat and me stuck, Couldn't go forward and spun around. The down rigger line I was using was 200 lb steel cable. Whatever snagged the ball was a bugger to get unstuck. I promptly swapped that out for a line I could cut with a knife. This is the stuff. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/scott...19_570_005_525 Just something to consider. Now when I use the down rigger I make sure there are no waves.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Quesnel, BC
    Posts
    1,149

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    If I was you Colin, I would wait until the ice is off the lakes, and then try some of the above methods.
    Live to hunt, hunt to live!!!!!

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    B.C CANADA
    Posts
    4,804

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    Quote Originally Posted by swamper View Post
    If I was you Colin, I would wait until the ice is off the lakes, and then try some of the above methods.
    The big lake here never freezes ! I've been out a few times this week alone , 5" apex or lyman plug , 50ft behind boat down 80'to 100' The closer to the surface the more line you should let out .
    '

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    1,791

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    Sinking fly (lead ) line... 2 1/2 colours peeled off ... Leader the length of your fly rod your using at the time Vintage Dick nite spoon or a F4 flatfish in the black colour with the shinny speckles.... Works good.. Around the last two weeks of May ... Troll slow and make lots of turns

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Region 0-1
    Posts
    1,489

    Re: BC Lake trolling rod/reel setup

    reel: penn squall
    rod: almost anything...walmart specials work.
    line: new lightweight lead core line...maybe for the non downrigger side

    this is my set up for lakers.

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