Natoma Tips for a Newb

So I've always drive by Natoma on the way to Folsom Lake and have heard really interesting things about trophy football sized trout that fight like ocean fresh steelies, good sized spotted bass and a few landlocked kings that get swept into the lake.  That's the good that I've heard about the lake.  Now for the bad. I've heard that the bite at Natoma can be hellishly hard most of the time, you get skunked way more often than not and that the fish are best released because they contain very dangerous levels of mercury and other heavy metals. 

So, if anyone was to recommend tactics for fishing the lake for the first time, what would you guys advise?  I've heard that the fish in the lake are pretty big predators in comparison to normal trout and that drifting live minnows can be an effective technique.  I do a lot of minnow drifting in the delta for stripers so would I just keep my same baitrunning gear but maybe drop down the leaders to 8lb instead of 12? 

I'm not asking for secret spots or anything as I'm pretty good at finding structure and fish spots and I've heard that the river arm is the best place to troll into, cast around or jig then drift back with live bait.  So if anyone has advice, it'd be cool to hear.  Thanks for any replies in advance. 

Sounds like you've done all your homework. 

Go get Em !