Flat-Line trolling refers to trolling without a dowrigger. One can flat-line troll directly off the boat OR using planer boards to spread the coverage area.
Why would anyone flat-line troll you may ask? Well, I do it primarily because I’m not in a position to buy downrigger$ and all the special gear that entails (lead balls, line releases, trolling rods, trolling reels, etc…). Buy another great reason to flat-line troll is that it actually works to catch almost any fish in Round Valley.
In the Spring when the Lake Trout emerge from their wintery depths, they are feeding up high and downriggers are not needed. Lake Trout can be found in the top 10 feet of water (look for 48 to 52 degree water temps), skirting the shoreline, devouring anything that moves.
Tackle and Lures: Use the rod, reel, and lures you would normally use to TROLL for trout. Feed out at least 50yards of line to get the lures down and away from your boat. I’ve had success trolling big Daredevil spoons (shiny spoons when sunny, colored spoons when cloudy), Crippled Herring, and Kastmasters as well as live herring behind a 1oz barrel sinker. Be sure to use a fluorocarbon leader, the number of strikes you will get with vs without is high. Hook the herring under the chin and out a nostril. I use #6 Gamakatsu Octopus circle hooks for this setup.
In the Summer Lake Trout go deeper and the Browns and Rainbows hover above the thermocline. These areas require a downrigger to troll through effectively. Having said that, I’ve found that very early in the morning, right around the break of dawn, one can flat line troll live herring and catch Rainbow Trout (I’ve never caught a brown this way). At midday, this same technique can be used to catch Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass. Troll in 30 to 60 feet of water ANYWHERE on Round Valley and you will catch a Bass!
Tackle and Lures: Use the rod, reel, and lures you would normally use to DRIFT for trout. Feed out at least 50yards of line to get the lures down and away from your boat. I’ve had greatest success trolling live herring behind a 1oz barrel sinker. Be sure to use a fluorocarbon leader, the number of strikes you will get with vs without is high. Hook the herring under the chin and out a nostril. I use #6 Gamakatsu Octopus circle hooks for this setup.
Trolling Speed: If you are using your outboard, just throw it into gear and let it idle. If you are using your eletctric trolling motor, you’ll have to vary your speed depending on wind conditions. Do esses with the boat as you go. When you get into fish, circle around and do figure 8′s in the area.
-That’s it. Hope this helps!
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About what time during the fall, or water temp, do the trout at Round Valley start moving back into the shallower depths? When they do, do you still “flat-line” troll…but with less weight?
It definitely depends on water temp most. Like before, the fish will seek out that 48 to 52 degree water.
You can detect it on a good quality fishfinder or you can use a waterproof thermometer from a pool store. Use just enough weight to get down. I use 8lb test mono on my main line and have never used more than a 1 oz barrel sinker to troll. Let out more line to go deep.