Flaming Gorge Big Lake Trout on Glide Bait 2020

Don Allphin experiments with an 8-inch glide bait to catch early spring lake trout in the shallows -- 10 feet or less. Don Allphin catches an 18.50-pound mackinaw after throwing the rainbow trout glide bait for just five minutes. Don uses Quantum reels, Sunline Fluorcarbon line with Sunline 50-pound braid. The lure is an A.B.C. Suicide Glide. Don saw several lake trout estimated to be between 20 and 30-pounds cruising the shallows in Flaming Gorge in the mouth of the main canyon. the thumbnail photo is of the angler (unnamed) that caught the 14.50-pound lake trout shown in the video as the second fish.

[@atothedub27]

Great video Don, Nice Laker! Catching lake trout at the gorge has been on my bucket list. That awesome you were able to get some on a glide bait! Thanks for sharing.

[@kevindeemer5607]

Awesome video! Jeez! Only a 10 pounder!😂

[@doafish]

Thanks

[@f5guy102]

Very cool! Interesting idea, and it looks like loads of fun! I'll have to try it out the next time I'm up there. Thanks!

[@jimshelton1437]

Nice, I'm jealous! That looks like so much fun can't wait to get out there and fish flaming gorge for the 1st time.

[@adamnielson1050]

Nice fish, and way to go helping Dace with his fish!

[@adambarber175]

Nice fish Don!

[@MUNKSTUBEJIGS]

I snagged a 8 inch kokanee glide bait up near Anvil flats. Took it home and researched it. Ended up being a 60 dollar lure. So I bought a few more. They work very well!

[@doafish]

Nice work. I think a lot of lakers can be taken on the glide baits. I can't wait to give them a try this early spring.

[@MountainStateAngler]

Great video! Is this after ice off?

[@doafish]

Yes, as soon as you can get a boat in the water, the lake trout begin to chase rainbows very near the surface. This is one of the only times you can actually "sight fish" for large lake trout. However, three or four other times during the year they are shallow too. 1. When they stock other fish in the lake. 2. When they chase the kokanee as they get ready to spawn. 3.When natural "humps" attract schools of fish (rainbows, cutthroats, suckers, kokanees, and even smaller lake trout). 4. After the spawn in late November through December.

[@michaellanderos704]

Enjoyed your video Don. What month was it? I lived in Rock Springs for a year back in the mid '70s but was no into fishing at the time. Now I want to return and fish Flaming Gorge.

[@doafish]

Michael, That video was shot in March, but lake trout go shallow in several months each year. March through May is the best time but November and December after the spawn is also a great time to find them shallow. Glad to have you back on the Gorge.

[@fishin_with_ethankerkmann6147]

Beautiful fish Don! Do you know what glide bait that is?

[@doafish]

That is a great question. The actual lure was an A.B.T. Suicide Glide in the 10 inch size. I have a bunch of glide baits and for the money, I really enjoy throwing the River 2 Sea glide baits in several sizes. But, that particular glide bait was responsible for my PB spotted bass at 7 pounds 3 ounces. It is an awesome lure but even now it is tough for me to throw an 80-dollar lure when I have many that cost under $50.

[@jonbateman3587]

Great catch. That is fun! What is the largest lake trout you have pulled out of Flaming Gorge?

[@doafish]

My largest lake trout was 33 pounds, caught on a 4 inch tube jig in 48 feet of water and 8 pound test line.

[@jonbateman3587]

@@doafish that is amazing. I havent broke the 30lb mark..... yet Hoping to do so one day. I have a couple in the 20's. What do you think is the best method to getting a big laker, jigging or trolling?

[@doafish]

I think jigging gets the larger ones, however, recently trolling has been more productive for some. I haven't gone after large lake trout now for over a month, but will return to jigging for them in the next few weeks.

[@jonbateman3587]

@@doafish what would you recommend trolling for a lure for a big one? We have tried flatfish and brought in a couple in the high teens.

[@doafish]

Jon, Flat fish would well. I would personally use a J-13 broken backed Rapala in trout colors or darker colors.

[@NoResults-NoCharge]

Hello! I'm new to lake fishing and have become addicted to chasing lake trout...hence why I clicked on the video. I have a bit of an odd question....what makes you chose a bass boat to use on a lake like the Gorge? As mentioned...I'm new to all this. I bought a little 16.5' Crestliner SportFish last year. The wife and I like it but I think we would enjoy more room. We've never been down to the Gorge yet but plan to and have heard it can get nasty...quickly. Started looking at Cabin sale boats like a Duckworth...have looked at Lund boats as well. Any input you care to share would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[@doafish]

Scott, I use a bass boat because I am a professional bass angler and so it is the boat I use in bass tournaments. It has live wells, and is set up for total access to the water from anywhere in the boat. I do not recommend a bass boat for the Gorge simply because if you are new to this or other lakes that has big wind potential, a V-hull with a windshield at least 19 feet long would be a goo upgrade from your current boat. The key to fish like I do is to have a front electric trolling motor so you can fish coves, bays, and open water. So many times, lake trout anglers are really stuck with just trolling instead of casting and retrieving. Thanks for watching and I hope that helps.

[@NoResults-NoCharge]

@@doafish I prefer jigging and have invested significant $$$ in fishfinders and my Min Kota, with the plan to transfer them to a new boat at some point. My wife and I don't enjoy trolling...we'd rather catch fish than just reel them in after they catch themselves. I know people think I'm strange but I prefer to "hunt" fish!

[@doafish]

@@NoResults-NoCharge That is exactly how I feel. There are some great walleye boats that have deeper hulls but still allow the mobility that I have in my bass boat.

[@NoResults-NoCharge]

@@doafish Which would you get if you were in the market for that type of boat?

[@doafish]

@@NoResults-NoCharge Lund, Tracker, ranger, and maybe Triton should all make a walleye boat with a V-hull

[@roytallericoGunner]

Why release it? They want that size out of the lake

[@R3C0NF1GUR1NG]

Looking at getting out to flaming gorge this weekend in my dads 16ft aluminum boat. Does the water get pretty rough out there day to day? Also we’re you on the utah or Wyoming side?

[@RodM-ah64dr]

Yah it can

[@doafish]

2020. Not 2023. And it weighed 18 pounds. I NEVER keep a fish that large. The DWR wants fish kept if they are under 25 inches. Large lake trout are Not unlimited.