Questions about trolling for trout RV

[iraevski]

hello everyone

I recently moved to Hunterdon county and have been looking into fishing Round Valley for trout. Previously I have done most of my fishing in small upstate NY lakes for bass and really need some help figuring out RV.

I have a small boat and a Canon downrigger. What baits/rigs would you guys recommend for trout in RV? any particular areas of the lake I should target? what depths usually work for you around this time of the year.

I would appreciate any input. Not asking for actual fishing spots, just general information about rigs, etc., to help me learn the lake.

IR

[Ratso]

Find the "Round Valley Trout Association" site and read it's posts for a start. Joining the association would also get you info that others would share.

[jimmythegreek]

The valley fishes differently just about everyday, depends alot on weather conditions IMO. What I do is start w known depths u see fish/bait at. I usually run 2 dowriggers and I stack one of them w two lines, close to bottom on the long line and 20-25 on a short setback for the stack. Ill run 2-4 planers targeting 10-20ft down w either rapalas/stickbaits using the appropriate weight/leads to get down to where I want. On the other downrigger I will actually work a single line and hug the bottom for lakers, always watching my depth on the bow sonar and adjusting to stay 5ft or so up off bottom. As I troll I will mark w chartplotter either pods of fish or bottom lakers and either make a wide turn and go thru them, or target them later when taking a break and jig the lakers. Also pay attention to depths of fish marked, if you see marks at a certain depth often adjust to that depth, lures are pretty basic. I mainly troll spoons using cowbell flashers, I like smaller rigs to keep resistance down while fighting fish. Kokanee type trolling gear is great for RV and ur basic rapalas/stickbaits work well too. You can also anchor up and downline/liveline shiner/herring and fish that way, or mix it up. Large trout are rare these days at RV, ur biggest fish are gonna be lakers on the bottom, some are very good fighters especially in shallower water, Ive got some in 90+ that fought pretty good too, and some are wet towels as Andy says lol

[Mikeps326]

This yr will be the first time trolling for me. After trolling in Canada almost non stop I have a question if I'm using a 3 way swivel trolling how do I know how deep my bait is?

[iraevski]

The valley fishes differently just about everyday, depends alot on weather conditions IMO. What I do is start w known depths u see fish/bait at. I usually run 2 dowriggers and I stack one of them w two lines, close to bottom on the long line and 20-25 on a short setback for the stack. Ill run 2-4 planers targeting 10-20ft down w either rapalas/stickbaits using the appropriate weight/leads to get down to where I want. On the other downrigger I will actually work a single line and hug the bottom for lakers, always watching my depth on the bow sonar and adjusting to stay 5ft or so up off bottom. As I troll I will mark w chartplotter either pods of fish or bottom lakers and either make a wide turn and go thru them, or target them later when taking a break and jig the lakers. Also pay attention to depths of fish marked, if you see marks at a certain depth often adjust to that depth, lures are pretty basic. I mainly troll spoons using cowbell flashers, I like smaller rigs to keep resistance down while fighting fish. Kokanee type trolling gear is great for RV and ur basic rapalas/stickbaits work well too. You can also anchor up and downline/liveline shiner/herring and fish that way, or mix it up. Large trout are rare these days at RV, ur biggest fish are gonna be lakers on the bottom, some are very good fighters especially in shallower water, Ive got some in 90+ that fought pretty good too, and some are wet towels as Andy says lol

thank you for the input, i really appreciate it. what size rapalas and spoons do you use? also how far behind the boat do you troll the lure with downrigger?

[iraevski]

also, what speed do you guys usually troll at?

[waynedane]

also, what speed do you guys usually troll at?

Sent you a pm.

[jimmythegreek]

This yr will be the first time trolling for me. After trolling in Canada almost non stop I have a question if I'm using a 3 way swivel trolling how do I know how deep my bait is?

I have no clue, I never troll that way unless Im trying to stay on bottom while drifting. If you use a line counter reel u can tell by the angle of your line, 3 way swivels are popular for using stickbaits in the river or drifting so u can get floating lures down near the bottom, u use a lighter drop line so if u snag u dont lose the xpensive lure. for all other trolling look up depth charts by precision trolling, best manual I ever bought, its the trolling bible to me

[jimmythegreek]

also, what speed do you guys usually troll at?

I use floro leaders and usually go minimum 50ft behind the ball, up to 100 if its clear skies and sun, many fish spook by the ball. If you run a stacker keep 15-20ft seperation minimum and a short lead, like 10-15 ft. run your rods like a Y with the long line to outside of boat and stack line above your engine so u dont cross lines w a strike. Clear lines if u have a partner in boat until u learn what your doing

I use size 5, 7, 9 sometimes jointed, I dont use them all that much, usually run at least one to see what they want. Spoonwise I like michigan stinger in the smaller size, also like needlefish. I use smaller cowbell trolls and sometimes a flasher, read up on the leads and how to use them, tons of info and youtube vids. The flasher is mainly to impart action in a hoochie or fly, flies work well somedays.

I troll 1.5 to 2.0 mainly, but have trolled even faster w success, generally I speed up if its bright skies and im not getting hit while marking fish

[Capt. Lou]

This yr will be the first time trolling for me. After trolling in Canada almost non stop I have a question if I'm using a 3 way swivel trolling how do I know how deep my bait is?

If UR using weight release swivel , I would use i color coded mono or braid . This way u can monitor depth , weight should be in unison with how deep UR going & what lures UR pulling toai maintainn proper scope !
Speed with 3 way rig always go by lures UR pulling .
If not using sinker release use then I can run line to DR release to fight fish on clean line .
Leads on lures about ten ft or less 8/10 mono ! If not using FF simply get LK chart & depth o meter temp gauge to establish thermo boundaries fish within u'll catch!
U can also stack three way rig to cover more area of good temps using more lines, probably have to increase sinker to maintain scope & proper depth !
This is no more than a modified SG rig which was widely used in finger lakes