How to Troll for Lake Trout

Today we're out here in Lake Ontario flat-line trolling for lake trout. I'm using the silver/blue American Smelt model crank bait. We're out here in 30' of water, and the crankbait dives about 20' which seems to be the hot-zone for catching trout today!
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As always until next time, good luck and good fishin'!
How to Troll for Lake Trout
/ thundermistlures

[@rjl1303]

Another great video. I love your respect and appreciation for the fish. You handle them with care and it’s obvious you enjoy the sport.

[@codypgc2997]

Love your videos. Every time I sit down to watch one I watch more. I appreciate the tips

[@thundermistlures]

so glad you are enjoying our video and good luck on the water :)

[@SteveSaysByePearlHurlbutt]

lake trout are beautiful fish, both for catching and eating. I'll have to get fishing over the summer.

[@thundermistlures]

....sounds good and hope you have a great time fishing for lakers :)

[@dlmsarge8329]

I started trolling for Lake Trout using leadcore line behind my hobie PA12 in July 2022. I fish lakes around Barry's Bay , Ont. The leadcore setup takes a bit of management in a kayak but you can fish to 40 or 50ft of depth for summer trout and it's very rewarding to score a good fish!!

[@rollastoney]

Not a huge one...almost twice the size of any fish I have ever caught 😂 I would love to catch a fish that size

[@dirtydan1764]

Well he is on lake ontario. The lake trout in the great lakes are huge.

[@thundermistlures]

:)

[@daltonj15]

Are they wild trout it's huge bigger than I ever got

[@tuscanollie1242]

Lol I was thinking the same thing

[@veerman15]

trout are the few species on my fishing bucket list. Great video.

[@thundermistlures]

....great species to have on your bucket list and hope you get to that list soon :)

[@Nick-xn5os]

I went out a few days ago on Lake Ontario to troll. We got one rainbow on a spoon, and lost a monster on a thunder stick. Trolling is the way to go, keep up the good videos Ivo!

[@thundermistlures]

Sounds like a great day on the water....got-to love Lake Ontario :)

[@JohnFarnham-dn4fo]

Love feeling the action of this rod on my recent fishing trip to coast catching redfish, this was the rod of my choice among many nice rods I own.

[@rogerdudra178]

Seeing those lakers coming out of Ontario sure speaks well for the fishery.

[@nissassagame]

Keep up the great videos sir. Many of the tips you provide have netted me a few extra fish.

[@thundermistlures]

...you just made my day :) So glad you are enjoying our videos and thanks for the great feedback

[@fourwheelerproductions4183]

S

[@jerryc3093]

I like the way he goes to neutral to fight the fish. I do the same thing. There is nothing fun about bouncing a fish across the top of the water because the boat speed is negating the fight.

[@dlmsarge8329]

So true !! And yet few people seem to acknowledge this.

[@longpointfishmaster947]

its also to put less load on the hook because if it stays down you are fighting the water current as well. to much load and you rip the hook out or break the line

[@mnmike6884]

Always thought maintaining some boat speed after hooking up prevented big fish from heading to the bottom where they refuse to budge.

[@AaronHendu]

Looks like another great day out on the water! Great video as always Ivo!

[@thundermistlures]

It sure was a lot of fun Aaron and thanks for taking time to write :)

[@AaronHendu]

And thanks Ivo and crew for taking the time to share with us your fishing knowledge and adventures! I've said it before, but you all seem like genuinely good dudes! I'd be happy to be on the water with any of the crew! I do most of my fishing alone...perhaps I should share my adventures on KZbin as well so I can share those moments too!

[@thundermistlures]

Glad you enjoyed this lake trout episode Aaron and good luck on the water :)

[@whitetail54]

Nice video Thanks for sharing, I have used the same lures and techniques you use and I have had real good luck Thanks.

[@frankmnowickl9010]

thanks for the video always enjoy them just got my last order in now I just have to get my butt out fishing.thanks again

[@thundermistlures]

...glad your order arrived Frank and hope you are able to get out soon :) Good luck out there

[@davidsimt]

Nice video. I enjoyed the action and your commentary.

[@thundermistlures]

thank you for that feedback - really appreciate it :)

[@wildontario2185]

Great tips. Its not about the size. Its all about the action !!!

[@thundermistlures]

...that's so true :) Good luck on the water

[@hitman1234ful]

Alot of relax. 😁

[@nanokcasts9187]

I’m sold on the smelt

[@blandry021]

I noticed at 11.51 when u clean the weeds off your smelt, your not using a swivel on your snap, is this always the way u fish the smelt?

[@thundermistlures]

Yes - as the lure does not spin (it just wobbles form side to side) I just use a single snap in order to maximize action - here's a video I did that will help explain further :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2WQmYqHbd6Cj80

[@blandry021]

Thanks for the info, I always wondered about that

[@Straderthanyou]

Awesome video as always and awesome fish! Can you do a video on catching walleye from shore?

[@thundermistlures]

....if we get a chance to, we will :)

[@reelproreelpro9332]

Healthy and Straight out of the HATCHERY !!

[@thundermistlures]

Thanks for writing in :)

[@dustinss1]

Hi, its October 5th now, I've been trying to troll in this 20-30ft range for lake trout near Jordan Harbor out on Lake Ontario. At this time of year what depth do you suggest trolling at. I haven't been able to catch anything yet, I can hardly even find any on my fish finder? I plan to keep trying thanksgiving weekend. Thanks

[@thundermistlures]

The lakers will move in closer, but not till the water gets colder - season is closed , so December is your best option

[@thomasbrooklyn1820]

Thanks for the video and the tips. Would it be a good idea to wear a pfd, especially when the water is so cold (47F)?

[@thundermistlures]

PFD is definitly a good idea....I am wearing a "Survival Suit"...it's a one piece PFD - very safe :)

[@govsux1]

True if he was by himself he probably would have.

[@jeffersonlucianofranza3454]

WONDERFUL FISH CONGRATULATIONS FROM BRAZIL...............

[@thundermistlures]

Great to hear from you in Brazil Jefferson and thanks for taking time to write :)

[@jsyangyu]

Nice video. In which month while trolling 20 to 30 fow? Which month move to deeper?

[@thundermistlures]

you can find them at 20 - 30 fow in this area from Dec - May, after that, they move into deep water :)

[@jakepeterson3755]

This guys awesome

[@thundermistlures]

Thanks for the great feedback and good luck on the water :)

[@kfs4869]

What kind of tackle would suggest for flat line fishing? Rod type and rod spec (length, strength, etc...) and reel and reel type?

[@thundermistlures]

a 7 1/2 or 8 foot rod with a slow tip, preferable not graphite...glass is better - as for a reel, be sure to get one that has the line capacity you want and that it has instant anti-reverse and a good drag system :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6uYfaqAiJh6ZtE kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIKoq2l7eMZ1idE

[@maxtadros283]

Hi, its great that you reply to all comments, quick question, i'm on lake Ontario, (Mississauga / area ,, how far off the shore do we go in ? i feel when you start going on , i'm just lost in the water - or is it the water depth ?is there any special spots to fish ? its August now - any suggestions ? will be great, i'm still a newbie to great lakes

[@thundermistlures]

Hi Max....depth is the key for lake trout - make your way out to 80 feet - 120 feet range and fish close to the bottom - the salmon will be in the same are, but suspended - good luck :)

[@adventuresofanexpat]

Nice lakers!!

[@thundermistlures]

Glad you enjoyed this lake trout episode :)

[@michelleparsons4394]

i have went out a few times with no success, what speed should i troll at and how much line do i let out? currently trolling at 5km/h and letting out 250 yards of line.

[@thundermistlures]

Hi Michelle....the lake trout will be deeper now, and 250 yards is a bit much (that's 2 1/2 football fields), so suggest going back about 100 feet behind the boat and if you are fishing Lake Ontario right now, try 80 feet to 100 feet deep and 5 km per hour is a good speed - good luck on the water :)

[@cajunkorea]

Wow! Just Incredible lake trout. I’m trout fishing in Nova Scotia in smaller lakes. Trolling with a 12’ aluminum. What depth of water is best? I usually use a 1 1/2” lucky strike spinner with worm. And troll the shoreline. I feel if I used your rig I would hit bottom a lot with it. Any thought would be greatly appreciated

[@thundermistlures]

In this episode, I was fishing 20 - 30 FOW, but in the summer, they go to depts of 100 feet and more :)

[@wrath231]

How much line do you let out to make sure your smelt lure at the right depth?

[@thundermistlures]

I like to let out about 100 - 120 ft of line :)

[@godslake7576]

what would you recommend for deep lake trolling for lake trout early june?

[@thundermistlures]

...look for lake trout to be starting to go deep as June goes on (such as 80 feet and deeper) but in very early June, you can still catch them right from shore in the Niagara River :)

[@dlmsarge8329]

Leadcore works to get down to 40 or 50ft , I troll it behind my kayak on Ontario back lakes. I've had some success in July and Aug 2022.

[@AaronHendu]

Flat-line trolling can be done from just about any boat too, I have lots of success in a canoe for pike!

[@thundermistlures]

Sounds like fun trolling from your canoe :)

[@reeceerlbacher183]

So close to 70k subcribers!

[@thundermistlures]

Thanks to people like you Reece, we will be at 70K soon :)

[@blandry021]

Is there a depth chart for those American smelts body baits? Flat lining, with 100' of line out, how deep is the American smelt?

[@thundermistlures]

there are many variables, but generally, it will dive 20 feet with 100 - 120 ft. out :)

[@greygraham5361]

What type of line do you use? Is it braid or mono? Do you recommend a type of reel/rod? Do you thing using a small metal leader is good?

[@thundermistlures]

I would avoid using a metal leader for trout as they may be spooked by it and it is not really needed ...i prefer to use fluorocarbon line or mono when I am trolling. A slow to medium action rod is good and a reel with a good drag system and instant anti-reverse is the way to go :)

[@evanwindom3265]

Any recommendations for catching lakers that are down deeper?

[@thundermistlures]

You can use a down rigger to get right to the bottom or you can vertically jig for them....I like jigging best :)

[@DavidAlxnder]

How do you get the lure to sink so deep? mine just stays on the surface....I'm on Lake Michigan with a kayak...

[@thundermistlures]

...keep your rod tip point down and only let out about 100 feet of line....troll slow at 2 - 3 MPH - good luck :) PS< be sure to use a snap or a snap/swivel to attach your lure

[@dennismiklas6349]

Make sure you lure has a nice big lip. The bigger the lip the deeper it swims.

[@SeasonsAndSloan]

Now I've never caught a lake trout before (or even fished for them for that matter) so I'm a little clueless. What method could you recommend for late July Ontario Trout?

[@thundermistlures]

The lake trout will be in deeper water in July - so fish in 80 feet deep and deeper in Lake Ontario :)

[@dlmsarge8329]

I just started using a leadcore setup for Lake Trout around Barry's Bay Ont. I troll spoons and hard baits behind my hobie PA12 kayak. I can down get to 40 or 50ft depth and have had some success in July / Aug 2022.

[@dirtydan1764]

Nice. It would be cool if you also did some videos on brook trout.

[@thundermistlures]

...if we get a chance to we will someday :)

[@greygraham5361]

Great video man. And if you don’t have pole holders on your boat do you think I should get one of the clamp on pole holders?

[@thundermistlures]

clamp on ones are o.k., but best to have the kind you can mount on your boat :)

[@greygraham5361]

Thundermist Lures thanks for the info

[@mirore5525]

What thickness of fluorocarbon do you use for lake trout? Especially when you are not sure what exactly will happen rainbows or browns

[@CookingwiththeCoias]

I use a minimum of 12 lb but when fishing for those huge Lakers, I prefer 14 lb fluorocarbon

[@bostoncurtis9559]

Do you always use a bait caster when you troll and how do you like it?

[@thundermistlures]

When we use heavier mono or fluoro, we prefer to use a bait-caster style reel, but otheriwse ,we are happy to use spinning reels as well :)

[@rafabonati7757]

Will Canadian Post work to get delivery of the Thundermist lures in the US now with the border closed?

[@thundermistlures]

Yes - regular mail delivery from Canada to the USA is going fine, but it's slower than normal (UPS moves much quicker) :)

[@dailodai9586]

i guess he's caught much bigger trout. cause when he caught the 8 pounder he say not that big lol. that would be a trophy fish in my local lake

[@whyisthereaholeinmybutt4274]

Nice job! Would you ever do a video in the future with catching bowfin?!

[@thundermistlures]

....here's a bowfin episode we did in the past - hope you enjoy it :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnjcdHVvaJJ5edk

[@whyisthereaholeinmybutt4274]

Thundermist Lures perfect! Thank you so much! And keep up the good work! And your videos are the highlight of my day!

[@donnadixon8991]

thanks ivo...good quality fishing videos....catfish 58........

[@thundermistlures]

Glad you enjoyed this lake trout episode John and good luck on the water :)

[@donnadixon8991]

thank you sir..and god bless.........catfish 58

[@greygraham5361]

What type of line do you use? Is it braid or mono?

[@thundermistlures]

Fluoro or mono while trolling :)

[@geraldtompkins2239]

what pound test are you using on your reel?

[@thundermistlures]

it was most likley 15 or 20 lb test :)

[@dw6505]

He says in the video 20 lbs florocarbon

[@paulfennell01]

What pound test line? Are you using a flouro leader?

[@thundermistlures]

Hi Paul - on that day, I would have been using 15 or 17 lb fluorocarbon (not braid) :)

[@noahcallahan2112]

Just a quick question, what brand is your rod that you use?

[@thundermistlures]

I use a variety of brands - in this episode, it was Lews brand :)

[@noahcallahan2112]

Thundermist Lures Thanks

[@kyleharris3328]

What knot do you use to tie your lure?

[@thundermistlures]

I like the palomar knot or the single uni knot :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/sILYXpuDhrV5ftk

[@robertcope2465]

What type of line are you using?

[@thundermistlures]

seaguar fluorocarbon

[@fouraces1949]

Whats behind you in the water? @.58

[@thundermistlures]

...it's just a big tree branch :)

[@geraldtompkins7209]

how many colors do these come in

[@thundermistlures]

...six colors (Silver, Gold, Natural< Silver/Chartreuse, Silver/Purple, Silver/blue) Good luck out there Gerald :)

[@minnowstomonsters8462]

How does a fellow Ontarian get out in the boat with you 😆

[@dustyfindsnemo410]

i do pyramid lake cutthroat trout and i have seen the huge lake trout teeth and i can easily say that the cutty has the same size teeth as a 20lb laker whipe the cutty is a 10lb

[@thundermistlures]

...interesting...thanks for the feedback :)

[@ne8r]

Would love to see how much time passes between strikes.

[@thundermistlures]

If you go here in April or December, the bites are pretty quick :)

[@joshbostwick5043]

What is your rod and reel set up

[@thundermistlures]

the rod was a lews cranking stik and the reel a diawa :)

[@mikebaron5829]

Where can we buy those lures?

[@thundermistlures]

....biggest stores would be Disks or gander outdoor - otherwise, if you can not find them locally, you can get them from tackledirect.com, amazon or of course direct from thundermist Lure Company on line as well :)

[@mikebaron5829]

@@thundermistlures Thanks for posting the great videos!!!! I will be ordering your lures from your online store....they obviously work, and the fact that you demonstrate them here is fantastic!

[@carterwichelns4574]

How long did it take to catch these fish

[@thundermistlures]

..although I can not recall exactly, it would not have been that long as there is a great b=lake trout bite on lake ontario :)

[@kaseynorris2476]

Can anybody tell me what lure to use for trout?

[@thundermistlures]

Hi Kasey....you can use spoons, spinners & crankbaits - or, other artificial options are yarn fly, beads, jigs...plenty of options - good luck out there :)

[@bradywebster3493]

How do you go so slow on a 150 hp

[@thundermistlures]

.....it's a Honda :) :) :) Also, to slow your troll down, you can troll into the wind, as that will help a bit, or, another option is to put a drift sock out off the nose of your boat (or back of the boat) - it will make the boat harder to handle, but will definitely slow you down :)

[@nevadasean]

No dodger?

[@JackSmith-gf1qr]

What size does the trout according with the law needs to be so you could keep it, I like to eat fish?...

[@thundermistlures]

rules vary by state or province - here in Ontario on the lower Niagara, there is no size limit - only possession limits :)

[@reesevoorhees3040]

Can you do a tour of your new boat.

[@thundermistlures]

....here's the video I did announcing and showing the new boat :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3vOkmlrmZ6YjZo

[@thecount1001]

great simple technique, though i'm surprised that treble hooks are still allowed. 2 single barbless hooks are the most ethical and easiest to use by far. less fish injury, easy to manage and unhook.

[@screechowl9605]

From the thumbnail???????????

[@w.davismerritt7901]

Please get a bigger rubber net. Keep the fish in the water. Bring a second angler if you are shooting video. Set an example. You have a platform, use it to promote good catch and release technique. Our sport needs it.

[@thundermistlures]

Thanks for your feedback W. Davis and for taking time to write - good luck on the water :)

[@seancunningham1244]

W. Davis Merritt lol chill dude

[@jboulet07]

These guys who show a catch on the first cast or condense the hours and hours of trolling to 1 minute, bamm got a fish, are not being honest!

[@secondhandmaple]

Ivo, would you buy a new net ??? FFS Cheap bugger

[@thundermistlures]

LOL......I love my net :) :) :)

[@magic2066]

it looks l u have no experience how to net a fish

[@thundermistlures]

Thanks for the feedback Joe :)

[@jackedsports4114]

Thundermist Lures you're so nice haha, I didn't expect that nice of a reply on that.

[@bike4peaceRTW]

That is NOT the way to properly catch and release!!!!