My paddling trips before I started to fish were generally rushed outings. I would race through them trying to beat my last time or get to some landmark in so many strokes. Everything changed when I started to fish at the same time. I slowed down and started to explore. I discovered the true nature of paddling. I still get plenty of excercise and I have the thrill of hooking fish at the same time.
Lake trolling can be as simple or complicated as you want to make it. You can use from 1 to 3 rods at a time, carry a ton of gear or very little. I define the amount of gear that I bring as to whether it is a paddling trip or a fishing trip. Then I have my expectations in place.
Once you are at the water some simple observations will help you get started. What kind of light is there – is it low light, overcast or bright sun? Is the water clear or murky? How much wave action is there – is it flat calm, slightly rippled or small waves? Each of these observations will help you select the right fishing strategy. This Quick Start Guide will help you.
A clear, sunny and calm day will call for a different lure selection than an overcast day with some chop on the water. Lures and terminal tackle are affected by these conditions. It is important to match the finish and color of your lure and terminal tackle to the conditions you are faced with.
The brighter, clearer and calmer the conditions the duller or darker the finish needs to be. A bright silver lure on a clear and calm day will be like a headlight shining in the fishes eye. They will shy away from this. Go shinier and brighter as the conditions darken and visibility or water clarity degrade.
Color is transmitted through water depending on it’s wavelength. Red is more visible at the surface on a clear day, where violet is visible at depth. As wave action increases the colors will be visible at less depth. The same is true with sun or shade. The brighter the day the deeper the same color will be visible.
How to fish deep will help you get to the right depth as well. Trout are in their comfort zone at 55-65 degrees. As the temperature moves further from this range they will become increasingly lethargic. Cooler water slows there metabolism so it is important to troll slowly. Warmer water will have the fish seeking underground springs or seeps as well as staying closer to inlets and outlets where the water is moving.
Fishing while you paddle can be a great experience. A little observation before you start will make it even more enjoyable.
For more information get our free Quick Start Guideto lake fishing. It is a pocket sized guide that will help choose the right lure. It also has lots of tips. All the resources you need and more can be found at The Fishing Geek
