Trolling for Trout (Lake Camanche)

I'm going to take you to a Motherlode lake in California early spring and show how to troll using topline and downriggers for rainbow trout. My technique for toplining that I learned a long time ago has three main elements:
(1) How far is the setback?
(2) What speed do I troll?
(3) What kind of lures do I like to troll for the best hookup rate?
This is the first of a two part series on Trolling for Trout:
1. Episode 1: How To Troll for Trout - California Motherlode Lakes - • Trolling for Trout (La...
2. Episode 2: How to Double Stack Downrigger for Controlled Depth Fishing & Determine Setback Trolling for Trout; Tackle for Trolling - • Controlled Depth Troll...
Do you wonder where to start fishing and which areas to try first? I’ll discuss how to locate fish on your fish finder and putting the lure in the right depth using the downrigger. Once you learn the basics of trout trolling, you’ll have your limits in no time and a blast reeling them in!
* PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR LIST OF RECOMMENDED GEAR *
Please like and comment on my KZbin video - really appreciate all your help!
SUBSCRIBE to learn more about fishing and hunting - thank you!
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THANKS FOR WATCHING!
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#trout #trolling #camanche #pardee #fishingtechnique #fishfinder #dexterknife #oroville #almanor #livescope #activetarget #livetarget #downscan #sidescan #lowrance #humminbird #garmin #fishing #bass #hdslive #fishfinder #electronics #fishingelectronics #gloomis #shimano #cannon #downriggers # scotty #seps #releases, #weights #Lexa #G Loomis rods #Okuma #Yozuri #Camanche #Lamiglass #rapala #speedyshiner

[@m.j.greathouse456]

My friend put on a clinic one day long time ago in lake Parade. Trolling a Rapla..next to of all the nice boats using down rigging.

[@ronburks3062]

Thank you for the information. As always you provide needed tips. With the cost of everything to make a trip your you tube channel saves me time and money

[@m.j.greathouse456]

Got One Rite Now! You R Cool 2 Me Alan. I do this now at the lakes. Soon as I see them breaking on the top of the water. 100 120 feet back small fly or small minnow lure any color. Luv What U Two Do D. n. A.

[@jsamkin9233]

Thank you for another awesome video!!!

[@AlanFong]

Thanks for watching!

[@elefantdude]

Great information! Thanks for sharing, Alan :-)

[@AlanFong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fatherdaughterpowerg3895]

Great video! I like all the tips you provided i.e. stacking, finding, speed, bending lure.

[@AlanFong]

Awesome, thank you!

[@830pc209]

Great instructional video!

[@AlanFong]

Hope it helps

[@fishingaddict5638]

That's a lot of great tips Alan. Something I've never done is always have a pole on top line while fishing deep with a down rigger, but good to know.

[@AlanFong]

Just different ways to fish the water columns after seeing fish on the graph! Glad it helps

[@GladFishingDad]

I love the gold and silver Thomas spoon 100 to 120 ft back and forget about it. Kind of feels like a bonus catch when it hits.

[@quylu9861]

Looks fun 🤩

[@AlanFong]

any kind fishing is fun lol

[@quylu9861]

@@AlanFong I was out there on Sunday at liberty area, no stripe bass only 3 little ding

[@lipprippers]

Very cool Alan. That was a fun episode. C You at FW

[@AlanFong]

OK and did you see my great net job? I only knocked off four that day lol

[@lipprippers]

@@AlanFong yes I did lol

[@mendleskibassin1304]

Great video! Hope to use these tips at Amador for the tournament this weekend!

[@AlanFong]

Good luck! yes it works there too!

[@IRLfishing]

Great video

[@AlanFong]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ronaldnewell4043]

Good vid Good fish

[@AlanFong]

Thanks 👍

[@GladFishingDad]

I saw that payback! you two must love fishing more than catching 😂 fish on

[@AlanFong]

You got that right! And Denise is more crazy about fishing than me! And I thought I was nuts! Just love the challenge and sport

[@asatre]

Thanks for another great episode Alan! a Really enjoy all you have been sharing with us on YT! I was curious about the bent hook on your speedy shiner, was there a different episode that explained why you do that? Keep the great reports and tip video's coming! Look forward to them each week and inspires me to fish more each weekend!

[@fishingaddict5638]

I think it was the fish that bent the hook.

[@AlanFong]

Glad you enjoyed it but the bent hook was from putting to much pressure on that big trout. Those were gamakatsu trebles and the stock hook I think I would of lost that fish! Now the best time of the year to go catch any species of fish!

[@AlanFong]

your right lol

[@asatre]

@@AlanFong Hah, OK never mind me then. I've not caught a fish so big as to bend the hooks yet, but be trying every chance I get!

[@johnkinslow3483]

Thanks for the tips Alan. Nice stringer of trout. Do you change out the standard hook furnished on the speedy shiners with another brand/size? Noticed the straightened out one. Might need to do a video on proper netting techniques one of these days. Can't say I've never knock a fish off! Thanks again.

[@AlanFong]

I always change out my hooks on all my lures because I want the sharpest hook available so I can land more fish! On speedy shiners I use gamakatsu sz 6 red trebles. My producer said she found out what I'm no good at lol NETTING I told her because I don't get much practice! I knocked off four trout that day!

[@manuelbermudez2298]

Great video .... packed with information....What are the best months to fish there? Are the summer months good for trout?

[@AlanFong]

Usually depending on the rain fall Feb thru June is the best time. There still catching a lot of trout there now but you need to use DR and fish in 35-55 ft

[@Bub61fd]

Alan do you think sometime you can show what the Lowrance shows in relation to the bait/ thanks

[@AlanFong]

Pretty soon I'm going to do sonar videos explaining how to use and adjust. My bass boat is down but being fixed as we speak!

[@m.j.greathouse456]

You Did A Scott MacLaughlin with that Net…. 🐟 Alan MacLaughlin

[@AlanFong]

????? I admit I'm not good with a net from lack of practice lol

[@chrisbarton5136]

Thanks so much for all the tips Allen! Do you have any tips for getting troll speed down using the main motor? My 150 merc only gets down to ~3mph and my 80lbs Terrova is only really good for super slow troll like less than 1.5mph without killing the battery. so I've got a hige gap between 1.5 and 3. I've read about protroller tabs, trolling bags/buckets etc, wondering what you would advise short of a kicker?

[@AlanFong]

Really hard to get a 150hp especially a two stroke motor to troll less than 3 mph plus they load up. Kicker sounds like the only solution. You should be able to get an 80# electric motor to troll 1.5mph easy. Look into getting two lithium 12V 100 amh and you should get a days fishing in.

[@chrisbarton5136]

@@AlanFong Thanks for the reply Allen, makes sense. The work you put into the videos is great and a huge help and motivator to get out on the water.

[@sacju6517]

Do you ever use scent on lures? Like when the bite is tough. Thanks Alan

[@AlanFong]

Yes I do when bite tough I use pro cure gel on lures can't hurt? On the trout video I used thread fin shad gel

[@aProudOG]

What is a good strategy for netting trout? A bit different than netting stripers, salmon, or halibut? Does length of net handle make a difference for trout? Technique worth discussing with other anglers in the boat before first fish is hooked?

[@AlanFong]

For kokanee and trout I use the nets with extended handle to reach out n net them. When trolling I don't stop the boat as I have many lines out so I keep trolling so when they get to boat they jump around and get off. Long handle nets you have better chance lol I admit I need more practice as my friends always say I can't net!

[@aProudOG]

@@AlanFong I’ve been on both sides of a bad net job and have concluded it’s a combination of art and science. For trout and kokanee, a long handle net helps satisfy the science part.

[@cvcaliboy87]

I was wondering what rods do you use? I’ve just got into trout fishing with riggers. ( always been a bass fisher. So all my gear is meant for delta bass )

[@AlanFong]

Your bass rods are way to heavy. But you can use a light drop shot rod for downrigging for trout or koks. Best rods are like 7 to 8 ft with a parabolic bend to them. Kokanee rods in ultra light work the best. Rods are very light so you can load them up in the downriggers.

[@shawnfinato9227]

I’m having a problem with my line pulling out of the line release clip. I am using a Scotty down rigger. I think I’m using too light a line. What diameter or lb test do you recommend?

[@AlanFong]

For trout n koks I use 8# test floro or mono no braid. N depends on what your trolling but with lure for trout n a dodger for koks I use the small seps line releases.

[@dougtill5675]

How long after being planted until the fish are acclimated to the water and taste best? Can you tell when you catch one if it will be prime eating? Thanks for sharing such great information with us.

[@AlanFong]

Usually when trout are planted in winter or early spring, the water is in the fifties and the fish taste good as their released. After the water warms up and fish survive the year their called holdovers and they say there better eating.

[@dougtill5675]

@@AlanFong Thanks so much. I have heard wild-caught fish are healthier than farm-raised fish. A fish that is just planted is farm-raised. I like to fish at put-and-grow lakes or fish for kokanee because by the time those fish are caught, they are wild. I was wondering how long a farmed fish has to live in a lake to develop all the superior health-benefits of a wild-caught fish. I do want to fish in a way that will increase my odds of catching holdovers instead of recent planters.

[@AlanFong]

Holdovers are what I usually go troll for as they grow there tails back. But I know people who catch trout that are just released and the meat is very red in color. I only troll for trout in the fall - winter as they move up into the top of the water colum. I like speed trolling on the surface with rapalas or speedy shinners especially at Berryessa.

[@dougtill5675]

@@AlanFong Thanks so much Alan. I will have to stock up on those from your store. I hope to get out this fall to do that. How fast is speed trolling? Do you need more setback for that? Do the higher elevation lakes have different timing than the low lakes for effective speed trolling?

[@dougtill5675]

Hi Alan. I was in the store today and saw on the package of Optimizer spoons the trolling speed was 3 - 7 mph. Do they really troll well that fast? Do any other lures run well up to 7 mph? That is a good speed for me to row my boat. I'd love to troll super fast while I search for fish and then stop and drop jigs, spoons, or bait or even cast and retrieve if they are on the surface or maybe bobber fishing. Would that be a decent strategy? I'd love to see a video on still or drift fishing for trout or kokanee. Which areas would you target for this strategy during different seasons of the year?

[@jameskramer5614]

Have you ever troll gulp night crawlers in a natural crawler color for trout

[@AlanFong]

NO I haven't not yet

[@EvangelistaKeith]

What size speedy shiners do you troll with?

[@AlanFong]

I use the small ones for trout

[@robertlenz1209]

What motherload res?

[@AlanFong]

Camanche

[@Rollin-With-Kirk]

Yup Terrible Net Man!! Make sure I never hook a PB with Alan on Net duty!! hahaha Yeh Yeh I know I gotta go fishing in order for catching!!

[@AlanFong]

You got that right! Ever think I'm doing this on purpose? Everyone wants to eat all the fish so maybe I'm knocking them off to release them???????????????

[@Rollin-With-Kirk]

You're the Best!! 🤪😜@@AlanFong