[bigred805]

Thanks in advance to anyone who may be more knowledgeable in trolling for trout and stream/river fishing. I will be heading to lake crowley for the season opener to try to get a cutthroat or maybe even a brown trout. My only real trolling experience is flatlining on my local lake for stocked rainbows. I would like to know more about using leadcore with a dodger/ nightcrawler set up or any other information that you think would help.


Thanks again

BigRed

[The Orion]

hmm, i dont have much experience with those species or in those locations.. Ive only river fished for trout once before and that wasnt exactly a success. hope you find the help youre looking for, i myself would be courious to see what advice is offered

[bigunindaboat]

Leadcore and a Dodger will get you fish, my neighbor kills them on this set up. Don't be afraid to run a spoon or a wee-tad behind that dodger. I like long leaders coming off the dodger if the lure has its own action.

Not sure you will even need the leadcore early morning/evening. Some of my best days have been sunrise/sunset on New Melones. Just top lining a rapala or a dodger/wedding ring combo.

If you're after big predatory browns you'll have to work hard, ignore fun, and pull big rapalas/Trophy sticks/ect. at a fast pace.

I could go on forever about trolling sierra/foothill lakes, as I've been doing it for 27 years that I can remember.

Stream fishing sierra trout is cake. If you can find wax worms, use that as bait, if not I like baby nightcrawlers, #12 red gamakatsu octopus hook, 1-2 bb split shot about a foot above that just kills the fish for me. Panther martins/roostertails can work great, and most of my big fish come off a yellow/white or pearl 1.5" crappie jig fished fast, after sinking deep.

Just got back from the pub, I'll chime in more later if you need more help.

BUIDB

[bigred805]

Hey thanks for the information bigun! I had planned to try flatlining rapalas early already but now I will for sure.
I have a couple more questions mostly about line and leader length. How much line needs to be between the leadcore and the dodger? Also what size dodger should I have? Or maybe ill need 2 sizes?
And finally on my stream set up what size line do you use? I feel like I would be a little more comfortable with 6 but a lot of people seem to swear by 4 pound

Once again thanks for the help I can't wait to get out there and put some of this to use.

[bigunindaboat]

You can tie the leadcore right to the dodger. Dodger size is 4/0 (the standard used for kokes and trout in the foothill lakes) and I'd go with 6 and take 4lb test for leaders if need be.

Good luck

BUIDB

[maki909]

if your talking about fishing owens river since your fishng crowley lake then I would throw small kastmasters and flies if you know how to fly fish. I always do well on flys at owen river. If your going to use bait then I prefer salmon eggs on a size 10 mosquito hook, and if im throwing lures i use 4 and 6 lb test. but when i throw bait I dont go heavier than 2 lb floro. All you need to do is play the fish just a little more.

p.s. do they still stalk cutthrouts in crowley? because last i heard they stopped stocking cutties in all of those lakes around Mammoth area.

[bigred805]

Awesome info thanks a lot guys I knew someone here would know what to do. I had thought about trying to pick up fly fishing for something to do but I think ill just fish an ultralight in the river with 6 pound main line and maybe 4 pound floro leader.
And as for stocking cutt throat I don't believe they do anymore do to budget but there are still some hangover fish in there.

Thanks again the trip is still a month away so ill have plenty of time to think about this lol. Ill make a report when all is said and done.

[pierfisher007]

[bigred805]

Yes pierfisher007 you can use this in a lake but unfortunately you can't troll a dodger from shore . Shore fishing is easy just rig up a carolina rig with powerbait or inflated crawler and wait for the rod to go bendo! And yes lots of people troll from their kayaks...but I'm sure there's a little more work/ skill involved in it. I'm sure being able to maintain a constant speed would be pretty important.

[pierfisher007]