Acme Kastmaster Modifications and Tips for Trout Fishing

Try using this......

Tried that already. How do ya think I got here......

No pics, but can read the original post here: https://web.archive.org/web/20130524100049/http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=36534.0

I fish the modified kastmasters alot for planted and wild trout. Here's a couple I could quickly find. Sometimes I add the flash tape. When trolling and I want extra flash I add a small dodger about 14" ahead of the modified kastmaster. Don't make the worm too long.

Just last week I bought some Kastmasters to replenish my supply, first ones I've bought in many years. Unfortunately the quality made them look like knockoffs from the old ones, so goes it in the modern cheaper is better world. Yes they were kastmaster brand from 2 major retailers.

Thanks Brewski!  Great looking mods!

I've bought several kastmasters this year, and yeah they ranged in quality.  Some didn't even come with split rings on the top, and a few chipped on rocks.  I really like swapping out for the siwash hook, bought a pack of a hundred and just swap them out as soon as I get them and toss the trebles.  Last year I had such a great time trolling and casting them for trout at Pinecrest.  One day after a fish plant there I was getting a big stocker trout on literally every cast, was so much fun.   

No pics, but can read the original post here: https://web.archive.org/web/20130524100049/http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=36534.0

Looks like scott didn't quit NCKA, just deleted his content. He got butt-hurt about something.  Hope he's still fishing and having fun.  I love the 'way back machine!"  Didn't and don't really know how that works but to make it easy for people  From 2012 we bring you......

March 12, 2012, 05:21:50 PM
A lot of guys at the HOW asked me about my Kastmaster modifications so here are the top secret tips and modifications. I use two Kastmasters predominantly, the ¼ oz. silver/blue and firetiger. If you wanted a 3rd, the gold would be my choice. The 1/8 oz Kastmaster are great for Sierra lakes and streams. I use the silver/blue when the water is clear or if the trout are on the surface. The silver/blue also works great during the fall turnover. I use the firetiger when the water is stained or when fishing deeper water.  I won the BSS1 casting a ¼ oz silver/blue Kastmaster and if I could only have 1 lure to catch trout it would be a Kastmaster.

Modifications
I replace the stock treble hook with a size 4 or 6 siwash. The point of the hook should be on the flat side of the lure. I use the smaller size 6 hook if the trout are small or I am also targeting pan fish. I add a trout worm threaded onto the hook. Then I add a pair of ¼” eyes and some reflective tape on the flat side to complete the modification. I also add additional scent before fishing (Procure Trout & Kokanee or Shad). If you are fishing barbless, catch and release, an octopus hook is less likely to unbutton on a fish jump than a siwash.

Fishing Tips
There are three different presentations: trolling, cast & retrieve and jigging.

Trolling: Kastmasters can be presented at a wide range of speeds which make them very versatile for trolling. I troll them from 1-2.5 MPH. Slower speeds, longer set-backs and fluorocarbon line will get your lure deeper if desired. If you have a Hobie, you can also use the stoke trolling technique. In the early morning, I will often troll close to shore in 10-20 FOW with a Rapala J7 on one rod and Kastmaster on the other. When I get to a point, cove, dead fall or rising trout, I retrieve the Kastmaster and fan cast the area. The fan casting technique is well described in this article. http://www.luhrjensen.com/downloads/tech-bulletins/525CaliforniaSanPabloReservoir.pdf

Cast and Retrieve: This is the most common technique I use. The Kastmaster casts better and farther than most other lures of the same weight. You can countdown to different depths as well as varying the retrieve. Some estimate 1 second corresponds to 1 foot of drop. Jerking the tip periodically followed by a pause can elicit strikes if the standard retrieve is not working. I catch most fish on a slow to medium speed retrieve. Fish on the surface seem to be more active than fish on the bottom so the deeper I am fishing the slower I retrieve the lure. I use a 7’ spinning rod rated 4-10# test with 6-8# fluorocarbon main line. I think Seaguar Inviz X casts better than the other fluorocarbon lines I have tried with less line twist and memory.

Jigging: I use this technique for suspended fish or fish on the bottom. Fishing the bottom involves using a yo-yo technique just like rock fishing. The plastic trout worm I use floats but not enough to keep the hook off the bottom so if I am fishing the bottom I thread on a longer 3-4” trout worm or add a small ball of powerbait to the hook. Like rock fishing, snags are common jigging on a drift so anchoring may be desired. Larger trout can pick a ¼ oz Kastmaster off the bottom or hit the lure on the drop so stay alert and in contact with the lure.

Tight Lines! Scott
« Last Edit: March 15, 2012, 07:12:52 AM by Great Bass 2 »



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