Downrigger Basics for Lake Trout

Outfitter Mike Howe walks you through a basic downrigger set up for trolling Lake Trout on Flathead Lake Montana. Shot with a Mavic Air drone

[@SuperPahoo]

I was on the south end of the lake until 2010. Hundreds if not thousands of hours fishing solely on downriggers on the Flathead unless jigging for whitefish during their bite. Thank you for this, Mike. I learned a few things I didn't know, and I thought the bird's-eye from the drone was just exactly what it took to show a world class setup and process for trolling Macs. Very kind of you to share your professional expertise with us this way. Much appreciated.

[@hanneliediedericks3025]

I have used the electric and 1050 riggers for many years. kzbin.infoUgkxbjBedIFSQ6Y6rp8DrCC_aoWMZI8GUpmH I bought these lake trollers for my 15’ Grumman sport boat and they worked almost perfectly for fishing lake trout. The only negative is that they seemed sticky on the retrieval, so I removed the spool and greased the underside of the stainless steel plate with some lip balm (the only thing I could think to use that I had on the boat with me). Then they worked much more smoothly. I don’t recommend using these down riggers if you’re planning on fishing deeper than 50’ as you’ll spend more time cranking than you will fishing.

[@gregorylaine]

Awesome vid dope drone view learned a lot thanks

[@pepajelito1979]

*We tried this out finally yesterday and it worked awesome! **enjoyable.fishing** recommend it’s we put it on our 16 foot aluminum boat and trolled with it. We didn’t catch anything but it was still fun and worked awesome! Can’t wait to use this baby again and hopefully reel in a big ole fish! Very easy to install and set up.*

[@dobimike3745]

Drone worked. Very good information. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@user-xi7ru3gw1x]

Great video thank you sir!

[@waynef.8158]

Anyone else completely mesmerized by the kicker motor just going back n forth for no reason

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

It is steering the boat on a very precise course there Wayne...called an "Auto Pilot"

[@rexbreyer8401]

Garmin Tr-1 great device. Makes running a boat even better when you are trolling.

[@beebob1279]

Interesting. Thanks

[@BrianUnAK]

Nice Raider boat!

[@rippatrick1]

would be good to see the hinges and gear up close vs. from a distance

[@benjaminaxselholm]

Wonder if theres a audio filter to take out the drone noise?

[@justonemorecast]

Watch out there's a swarm of bees right above your boat.

[@bluegill2030]

When you get a fish on, do you stop moving forward and reel them in? Or do you just keep going?? I’m new to this and need all the information I can get

[@beef-_-gun6431]

Keep going. Keeps tension on the line.

[@brucemorris8725]

That noise 🖐🏽😬

[@gregorylaine]

Why does you kicker move all over do you have it set like that or just no one at wheel?

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

Hi Gregory, I have a TR-1 Auto pilot that makes constant corrections to maintain course. On the day of the video it was set a little too "active", but the more it is moving the more accurate a course it maintains. Thanks for the question and comments, stay tuned, I have several new videos in the making!

[@joelstanhope7231]

What are you using for your kicker steering control ?

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

Old TR-1 Gold auto pilot, still can be found, but Garmin is now promoting its Reactor systems

[@michiganwoodsman2199]

Is he talking over that drone?

[@evanwindom3265]

It seems like setting the release is too important not to include some close-up video of that setup. You can talk about creating loops and putting them on the hinge, but if people can't see what that looks like, they lose the benefit of the video. That, to me, is the most important element of your setup so it's a shame I couldn't see it. Otherwise, it's a nice video. I especially like the way you explain the "why" around what you're doing. Thanks!

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

I had a drone available that day, so did what I could do with the equipment and time I had. I will try and do an update soon. Thanks for watching and for the input.

[@spcvicar3240]

You said you don't like it to release... How would you tell if you had a bite?

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

We run our releases off an 18" tether of 200# test, so we are not connected hard to the ball.. Very easy to see even the lightest of bites. Watch the video "Rae Ann and Mikes..." and you will see several bites and hook ups. GREAT question, thanks for watching.

[@beef-_-gun6431]

You use maple breakfast sausages for real lol that's awesome

[@zactapia565]

Can confirm it is probably one of if not the most used bait in flathead lake

[@istanjim6195]

Why does it sound like a horn is blowing while the guy is trying to explain what he is doing?

[@gordonmohr2268]

"maple flavoured breakfast sausage"..............well, you got my attention!.....you using it cooked or raw?

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

Welcome to the channel Gordon! We use it raw in the Brads Super Baits, but anglers that jig drop links into boiling water for just a second to toughen the skin so it stays on the hook better...Good luck!

[@gordonmohr2268]

@@AAbleFishingCharters this is strange. I saw a video a few years ago of guys jigging with raw chicken strips for lakers. seemed to work well.

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

@@gordonmohr2268 They are meat eaters! I have cleaned lakers with chicken and turkey bones in their bellies, obviously from on lake diners tossing the scraps overboard.

[@zactapia565]

I know some guys cook them a little bit "to get the grease flowing" is how a buddy put it but I always fish them raw on set lines casted from shore or through the ice

[@maxcorder2211]

Gordon Mohr Johnsonville breakfast sausage. Maple flavored.

[@davemitchell7270]

Can’t watch this sound is torture

[@drunkmike6364]

might want to ditch the drone while talking

[@VISNIS33]

Good looking boat and probably the information is good too but why don’t you show up close how to do this how much you like he’s just showing off and plus this annoying sound of his drone what the flip this is not professional

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

Never claimed to be professional videographer...in fact quite the opposite. If I had a three man camera crew I could do some close ups and overcome the horrible audio...Like Gary, I am real sorry for wasting your time

[@garygreen7540]

Photography is worthless. Verbal instructions don't do anything for new users of downrigger. Show the connections up close. Watts of my time.

[@AAbleFishingCharters]

Well by Golly Gary, I'm real sorry I took several hours of my own time to film and edit, to try and fill a void that exists for downrigger rigging, just so you could be disappointed...sorry for "watting" your time...