How to Ice Fish Lake Trout With Light Rods
Many fishermen who target lake trout during the winter do so with heavy rods and reels, heavy line and jigging spoons or hooks tipped with large, dead minnows. But that is not the only way to go about catching them. Some anglers -- especially those who enjoy the challenge of catching big fish on light equipment -- use light-action rods and small jigs tipped with 2-inch grubs or minnows. Some days, lake trout may even prefer the smaller presentation.
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Instructions
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Spool the rod and reel with 4-pound test fishing line. Tie on a 1/16-ounce jig to the end of the fishing line with a Palomar knot (see Resources). Thread a 2-inch grub onto the jig, or hook a small minnow just behind its dorsal fin.
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Set the drag loosely. The drag on the reel will be controlled by a knob on the top or the bottom of the reel. Turn the knob clockwise as far as you can, then turn it counterclockwise and loosen the drag until a firm tug on the line causes the spool to release line.
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Drill a hole over about 15 feet of water. Drop the jig to the bottom. Lift it several inches off the bottom, and then let it fall back to the bottom on slack line. Repeat this motion for 15 to 20 minutes. If you have not caught anything, drill additional holes in water ranging to about 40 feet in depth. Lake trout are active all winter along the bottom, so your best bet is to move around until you find fish.
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Set the hook when you feel a bite. Many bites will occur as the jig is dropping. You may feel the bite, or you may find there is a fish biting your jig when you jig it off the bottom. Either way, set the hook with a firm, upward motion.
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Adjust the drag as necessary while fighting the fish. If you hook a large fish, it may be necessary to loosen your drag and allow the fish to tire itself out. If your drag is too tight and the fish makes a hard run, it could break your line.
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References
Resources
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