July 2019 Alwaki area Trout fishing

[Jay Thomas]

Hi Hodgey1,

Here's another few comments to take with a grain of salt.

Here's a web reference to size of drift socks required to match conditions and boat size - see https://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/drift-sock-chart

Here's another web reference that provides some drift sock basics - see https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/driftsocks-mastering-boat-control/154013

Even though I don't own my own boat, I purchased a 36 inch Lindy Wave Tamer drift sock many many moons ago to slow down my back trolling speeds in camp boats. When necessary, I simply deploy my drift sock off the bow. I probably back troll 90% of my time on the water when fishing walleye and I prefer to back troll at somewhere between 0.7 and 1.5 mph.

As for target trolling speeds for lake trout, I typically forward troll between 2 and 3 mph (trolling with magnum dipsy divers and lures).

At least 10 years ago, when I still used my portable downrigger, we would attach a Dave Davis H #1 spinner (3 big blades and 4 smaller blades) to our downrigger balls. Then, 5 to 6 feet above that, we would attach a 20 foot leader to whatever lure we were trolling. My fishing buddy, who introduced me to downrigging, instructed me that the best trolling speed was when the downrigger cable made a certain noise - no doubt based on his years of catching lake trout with this method. I learned to identify that downrigger cable sound to be successful. This was before I had a sonar unit that provided me GPS based speed. Consequently, I have no idea what our trolling speed was. Whatever the speed was, it worked. One afternoon, my buddy and I landed 6 lake trout in 90 minutes doing this.

Jay

[smitty55]

Hodgey for me when using those big trolls I strictly go by the action of the troll, I can tell by feel and look of the rod tip, just as it starts thumping from those 3 big blades is what I always aim for and it's always right around 1mph depending on wind and current so you will definitely need a pail, windsock or even a trolling plate to get your speed down slow enough.

Cheers

[Captain Hali]

Hodgey, consensus has the preferred speed at below 2 mph. I usually start at 2 and if no action slow it down gradually all the way to 1.2 mph. I have marked most fish at 45 to 50 FOW. As for drift socks, go to      https://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/drift-sock-chart. Different factors come into play.

[Hodgey1]

After some research, I think I’m going to add a trolling plate to my motor. They don’t seem to cost a lot and being able to dial in the right speed seems important. I was told that boat stands for “bring on another thousand” boy is that true. I have already hit that mark with the addition of the downriggers and some other misc things. I’m not complaining though...... Can’t wait to be sitting on it in July. 

[smitty55]

Great decision Hodgey, trolling plates do work well and are much less hassle than windsocks or pails etc. Easy to install and in some boats aids in getting on plane quicker. We installed one on my SIL 60hp and had no prob trolling for Greys. The most important thing to pound into your head is to make SURE to get into the habit of lifting the plate before taking off after a trolling run.  Also he ended up extending the release cable to make it easier to access.
One last thing. I highly recommend you use Nyloc nuts for installation. No lockwasher required but a larger SS flat washer will help distribute the force over a larger area.

Cheers

[Ozzy30]

Hey Hodgey I have seen some of the very new hummingbirds helix 9's be able to pick up the thermocline but what you are looking for is what depth you are marking the most fish at.  That is going to be the thermocline.  If you are looking for bait balls usually at Kipawa you need to find the warmer water which means shallower water or back bays up in Lac audoin.  For all the years I have been fishing lakers at Kipawa the average depth is 30-45 and that mostly keeps you out of trouble.  If you do want to catch consistantly bigger lakers you sometimes need to fool with the shoals though.  I am up at Alwaki at Canada Day this year if you're around look me up.

[Hodgey1]

I am up at Alwaki at Canada Day this year if you're around look me up.

Hey Oz, I met you and your family last July at Alwaki. I appreciate the tips. I will be at Alwaki the end of  July and again the beginning of September.

I will have to try running my riggers shallower. When running at 30’-45’ what total depth of water would you typically target? Also, What are your thoughts on trolling Hunters lake for lakers?

[smitty55]

Also, What are your thoughts on trolling Hunters lake for lakers?

Hodgey that run near the top end of Hunters that I showed you is one of my favourite runs, it has never let me down. As a bonus it's often out of the wind and the average size was real good. Run your riggers there at 25 -30 fow over 60 -80 ft and you'll be fine.

Cheers

[Hodgey1]

Also, What are your thoughts on trolling Hunters lake for lakers?

Hodgey that run near the top end of Hunters that I showed you is one of my favourite runs, it has never let me down. As a bonus it's often out of the wind and the average size was real good. Run your riggers there at 25 -30 fow over 60 -80 ft and you'll be fine.

Cheers

Smitty, i have your maps printed out and in my boat from last season. I am going to try the gang trolls you suggested also this season. Thanks for always being there to help!

[Hodgey1]

Great decision Hodgey, trolling plates do work well and are much less hassle than windsocks or pails etc.

It’s installed, Was pretty simple to do also.

[Hodgey1]

Look what Father’s Day brought.

[T-Bone]

Starting to worry me Hodgey...sometimes good 'ol intuition is better than applying technology to figure something out. May have to get you a hat with a propeller on it. Think of how many times you've pulled up a a spot that "looked good" and you caught fish. This has happened for us on Kipawa PLENTY of times.

I suppose in this case though it's not a bad thing as even the best toe-in-the-water is not a very accurate temperature reading....   

So, how does that work??? You just let it down 5-feet at a time...reel it up quickly to get the reading? Would seem to me the temp would be altered by the retrieval up through warmer waters near the surface.

[Jay Thomas]

Obviously, someone is looking after your optimal requirements for fishing. Another item for the tackle box. Have fun!

Jay

[Ozzy30]

Sorry Hodgey for not getting back sooner, hard with the new job to get on as much as I used to.  I have fished lake hunter.  Over by the island I have caught lakers.  I would usually fish anywhere from 60-120 ftw average.  We are heading back up Canada Day week like we usually do.  I'll let you know how and where we did well .  Have a couple great trips

[Hodgey1]

Starting to worry me Hodgey...sometimes good 'ol intuition is better than applying technology to figure something out. May have to get you a hat with a propeller on it. Think of how many times you've pulled up a a spot that "looked good" and you caught fish. This has happened for us on Kipawa PLENTY of times.

I suppose in this case though it's not a bad thing as even the best toe-in-the-water is not a very accurate temperature reading....   

So, how does that work??? You just let it down 5-feet at a time...reel it up quickly to get the reading? Would seem to me the temp would be altered by the retrieval up through warmer waters near the surface.

Ouch T....... Propeller hat, dang.

  intuition = guessing/trial and error  is best suited for when at home and not when time is as precious as it is in Kipawa.

I have been told by many of the experts here and elsewhere, that the thermocline is where to find good lake trout fishing. I am also being told that a good fishfinder will show you where the thermocline is, apparently mine is not a good one. I’ve made multiple adjustments over and over, and still  do you not see what I am told I should see.

So, this little baby “Fishawk”  takes all of the guesswork out. Why would a guy want to do that??? You slowly let it down attached to a downrigger, then slowly retrieve and bring to the surface. It documents the water temperature in the entire water column in 5 foot increments.

My hope this year, and keyword being hope,  is to improve upon the limited success we had last year lake trout fishing. Being able to switch up, the daily ritual between getting up early for the early walleye bite and alternating with getting up when I want and trolling for lake trout. I have found that schedule to be extremely enjoyable. Not to mention this year I will have my older brother with me who has never been to Canada fishing.  I am wanting his trip to be a great one and for this trip to become a regular thing for he and I, as we don’t get to see each other much being 1000 miles apart.

So, that’s my story. Go Fishawk- Go!