Spot locking and vertically jigging lake trout might be the funnest way to catch lake trout.
With lithium 36 volt battery systems and spot locking features that keep improving with each new generation of trolling motors, anglers no longer need to troll with down riggers, wire or snap weights to catch lake trout.
In this video, we find lake trout in 30-40 feet of water on Cranberry Lake in northern Manitoba fishing out of Viking Lodge. We focused on deep points and found lake trout relating to large boulders. We spot locked over fish we could see with 2D sonar and used Active Target in down view to watch fish.
We used a rattle bait from Northland Fishing Tackle called a Ripping Shad. Tube jigs along with jigs and paddle tails or flukes also work well. Just make sure the hooks and split rings are heavy enough. We tied direct to 10-14 lb. braid but have used 20 lb. braid on water where trout over 40 inches are more common.
From an entertainment aspect, this is a great way to target lake trout and we have done this style of fishing out to 90 feet when current and wind allows.
Grab the Gear:
Rippin Shad: jasonmitchello...
Line Counter Reel: jasonmitchello...
Ebisu Rod: jasonmitchello...