Big lures are easier for fish to scrutinize, and big fish have had lots of experience with stuff that’s just not quite right hanging on an angler’s line. Super aggressive jigging also doesn’t work well most of the time. Fish will come in and have a look, but usually won’t bite, especially on a super-sized lure. Even bigger trout spend a lot of time eating small baitfish. Smaller lures trigger trout more effectively than larger lures. You can also jig a smaller lure a lot more aggressively (attracting maneuver) than a large lure and not offend the trout’s often somewhat delicate feeding sensibilities.
We’ve often written about the effectiveness of smaller bass-style plastics like a 3/8-ounce jighead dressed with a 4-inch plastic tube lure, fished on clear 8- or 10-pound-test monofilament, presented with a medium-action jigging rod about 36 inches long. Drop the bait to the level of the fish—almost always in water between about 20 and 50 feet deep. Lift it easily a couple feet and let it fall. Jiggle the bait a little. Add another twitch or two. Then lift-fall again. Switch depths freely, because trout can see a long ways in most of these waters. The idea’s to get their attention, then trigger them when they come in close for a look. A lot of our biggest fish are caught about 20 feet down, over or along the edge of drop-offs or along the face of steep rock shorelines. Twenty feet down, though, also is a key depth for fish over deeper water.
Plastic tactics have been deadly everywhere I’ve fished, almost always outproducing traditional lures in the areas we’re fishing. In waters where bait can be used, you might tip this affair with a small minnow or minnow head, just something to slightly sweeten the bait. But don’t get carried away with the tipping thing. Again, too big most often is counterproductive.
When conditions get really difficult, lighten up even more. Ice with no snow cover usually pushes fish deeper and gives them an even better look at a lure when they get close. When fish get really tentative, when they get in close, try 6-pound line, a 1/4-ounce jighead, and a 3-inch tube. Sometimes 3-inch curlytail plastics work, too.
A note about monofilament lines, which differ a lot these days. The best monofilaments for these conditions are classic tough lines like Berkley XT, Stren High Impact, or Ande Premium. These lines have slightly more diameter and test slightly higher in break strength than comparative limp lines of the same test (like Berkley XL, for example).
Is it possible to land huge fish on light lines? Of course. I have no doubt that if the hook hadn’t popped free from the huge fish I mentioned earlier, I would have had a great shot at landing that fish. (The toughest part of the ordeal is controlling a big fish at the hole, especially if the ice is thick.) Granted, it might have taken awhile, but if you keep the pressure on, they’ll give. This kind of confidence comes with experience. Get a good drag set right—just enough to give grudgingly as the fish surges off, and even big trout wear down.
While you’re busy fighting that huge fish, take time to note your surroundings. Lake trout live in spectacular country.
