I'm heading out of Sawbill up to Cherokee and maybe Frost or Long Island areas this year in early August. We have never targeted Lake Trout this late in the year, and I know they'll all be deeper, for the most part.

We'll likely be trolling deep, heavy blue/silver spoons and cranks when we find with thermocline they are in, as well as doing some deep snap-jigging with heavy jigs and white plastics.

Question: Should I bring any bait or just stick with spoons/cranks/plastics?

Any other tips or info on those lakes and areas would be much appreciated.

You shouldn't need bait. Sounds like you're on the right track with the lures and jigs. Just be careful with these fish. They are fragile and cannot handle hot water very well. Releasing them into upper 70's water temps is not a good idea and usually lethal.

Go with light-weight spoons... more action and flutter.

Bring any fish to the surface slowly. Leave them deep (>20 feet down) until you see bubbles surfacing. If you bring them up too quickly, their air bladder expands and they will be unable to swim away. If this happens, squeeze them gently against the side of the boat to burp them.

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it.

bobbernumber3: "Go with light-weight spoons... more action and flutter.


Bring any fish to the surface slowly. Leave them deep (>20 feet down) until you see bubbles surfacing. If you bring them up too quickly, their air bladder expands and they will be unable to swim away. If this happens, squeeze them gently against the side of the boat to burp them."

Is there any tips to getting those lightweight spoons down deep? Especially if I'm trying to troll them?

philhartman5886: "Is there any tips to getting those lightweight spoons down deep? Especially if I'm trying to troll them?"

4 oz keel sinker. The first time I saw this on Ottertrack, I wondered what those people were doing with their rods bent in half...



I have had luck with this, dropping it right to the bottom, closing the bail, and starting to paddle. Lakers will hit as the lure moves up thru the water.

philhartman5886: "

bobbernumber3: "Go with light-weight spoons... more action and flutter.



Bring any fish to the surface slowly. Leave them deep (>20 feet down) until you see bubbles surfacing. If you bring them up too quickly, their air bladder expands and they will be unable to swim away. If this happens, squeeze them gently against the side of the boat to burp them."

Is there any tips to getting those lightweight spoons down deep? Especially if I'm trying to troll them?"

Wolf rig - see below. I’d use 2 or 4 lb test for the line with the weight. This works well for spoons, crank baits, rapalas, etc.




Or you can use a rubber band to tie the weight to the line a few feet up from the lure. It may move some but it works ok and you can take it off/put it on easy.