Tips from Chet

Freshwater Trolling the EGB

There are several basic trolling techniques:

Outriggers,
downriggers,
flat line, and
lead line.

The EGB works great with any of these techniques.

The EGB comes in two basic configurations: Spoons and Spinners. Spoons are preferred for trolling because when properly fished they do not roll over, thus preventing line twist.

Trolling with EGB Spoons

Remember to keep the hardware to a minimum and do not use an additional swivel with the EGB spoon. Tie directly to the French swivel already attached to the spoon. It is smaller than a snap swivel and works great.

When the proper trolling speed is used the spoon will offer maximum results by flipping from side to side. As is flips it does not roll over and will flash it’s sides thus imitating the action of a baitfish. If the speed is increased too much the spoon will roll, this action would be similar to a trout with whirling disease -- not a natural effect. This roll over action may twist line and will usually result with an empty stringer. Optimally the best speed for trolling the EGB spoon from a properly equipped boat would be medium to slow. If you are dealing with a larger motor (over 15 h.p.) you may need to use a trolling plate or some other drag device to slow you down enough to be effective.

Prior to putting in drop your EGB in the water and drag it alongside the boat in plain view while you are at trolling speed. This will enable you to get a good look at the lure and check the action. You can try this technique with various sizes of the EGB spoons and flutter spoons. While the action will be similar on all the spoons you can notice subtle differences between each size. Chose the EGB that most fits your desired presentation. Smaller sizes are preferred in the spring with the larger lures producing well in the fall.

When trolling for smaller fish in the 9 thru 12” size range I will use the size 0, 1 or 2. For fish in the 12" to 16” range my choices are sizes 1, 2 and 3. For 16” and 18” fish, sizes 2 and 3 are my favorites. When fishing waters that contain 18” to 24” trout, I would recommend the size 3 and 4 EGB. When fishing for the really big ones, try size 4 and above.

Walleye, trout, mackinaw, Kokanee salmon, striper, and wiper are my favorite fish to troll for. The majority of the time I use two techniques when trolling: Flatline and Downrigger.

Flatline Trolling

Flatline trolling is the most common. It is simply tying your lure or pop gear rig (personally I do not fish with pop gear -- it drags the line too much and is not needed with the EGB) directly to your monofilament and drag this directly behind the boat.

For over 95% of this type of trolling I will fish a very long line (75 yards or more) and will navigate the shoreline. I use my sonar and cruise my boat in a zigzag pattern so as to drag my EGB in waters that the boat did not go through. I pay particular attention to underwater structure whether it would be over the top of submerged vegetation, boulder fields or rock outcroppings, etc.

I have had decent success fishing points. Always try and hit your points so as to direct your EGB to contact the targeted area in 12 to 20’ of water. Your chances of catching prey feeding in these areas are excellent! Keep in mind that when flatline trolling a size 2 ( ¼ oz.), an EGB spoon will only get you down 8' to 15’.

Downrigger Trolling Several pictures of fish caught on EGB lures

If you are so equipped, fishing with downriggers can be extremely rewarding and can present your lure to fish that are otherwise out of range. Downriggers are one of my favorite ways to fish. They allow me to get my EGB down deep. A downrigger utilizes a heavy lead ball or weight up to 8 pounds. It is attached to a reel via a steel cable. Just above the ball is a clip that your monofilament line is attached to. This clip release your line when a fish strikes and allows you to fight the fish without heavy drag from heavy weights or other means you may have used to get your EGB down into the strike zone. You can troll in 60-foot waters for walleye or drag right off the bottom in 120-foot water for mackinaw (lake trout).

Getting set up to utilize your downrigger can be done in several different ways. You may run your lure at any any distance you choose from the downrigger ball. I prefer to run my EGB less than ten feet from the ball. I wrap my ball in aluminum foil for a little extra flash, attach my line to the clip, loosen my drag all the way and lower the ball into the water while going at my slowest trolling speed. I watch the depth counter or watch the ball on the sonar to get me to my desired depth. Once at the desired depth I will tighten my drag to the appropriate setting (the proper drag setting is important-do not, however, set your drag too loose!!). Put the rod in the rod holder and tighten your line down to the clip as much as possible without pulling it free. Your rod tip will be bent over. Once a fish strikes, the rod will pop up straight. When this happens grab your rod immediately and go for a hook set!

I like to find the fish with my sonar, then lower my downrigger to the strike zone. With a little practice you can you can raise and lower your rig to track the bottom. Large lakers will lie on the bottom in the summer and you can drag your EGB flutter spoons right over their heads! This works great; I’ve had great success with this technique at Flaming Gorge on the Utah/Wyoming border and at Lake Granby in Colorado.

Spinners can also be deadly when trolled but I recommend you take a few extra moments to rig them properly. For best results, tie on a ball bearing barrel swivel about a foot up from the end of your line. Then tie a ball bearing snap swivel to the end of the line and attach a snap on your spinner. This will help prevent line twist.

If you have trolling questions email me or give me a call!

Chet

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