Trolling for Trout with nightcrawlers

Any tips about rigging nightcrawlers for trout trolling would be appreciated. THANKS in advance.

Matt

PM Raymac.  He's the king of trout trolling.

I did it at the end of last year at Blue Lakes. I just used half of a nightcrawler. I used one of those worm skewers and threaded him up the hook and line. I added a split-shot about 18" above the hook. I saw that the trout were hanging around 20 feet deep, so I adjusted my depth and trolled kind of slow. I hooked 4 trout in about an hour.

It worked for me.............

CHEERS!

http://www.fishing4lures.com/fishing_accessories/misc_fishing_tools_accessories/0836-0172.html

one of these wormthreaders (buy two, cause you lose 'em) is helpful. it comes with instructions.

use 1/2 or 1/3 of a nightcrawler on a bait holder hook or aberdeen hook, size 4 to 8,
some 3 to 6lb leader, and a tiny dodger, or set of micro flashers, or just a weight like mahi and you are in business.

troll slow.

some variations are to put a bit of nightcrawler above a plastic grub. more durable than the straight nightcrawler.

John

Capt. Matt-

I'm not a trout trolling expert but, I've always done pretty well with a Wedding Ring tipped with a crawler.

Freddie

THANKS for the suggestions.

Matt

Capt. Matt-

I'm not a trout trolling expert but, I've always done pretty well with a Wedding Ring tipped with a crawler.

Freddie

I do that too, but never got fish that way... maybe, I'm doing wrong?

small sliding weight->>small barrel swivel->>18"-36" leader->>hook with threaded nightcrawler= trout slayer

-FF

small sliding weight->>small barrel swivel->>18"-36" leader->>hook with threaded nightcrawler= trout slayer

-FF

how much weight do you typically use? how about line types and weights or does it matter for you?

small sliding weight->>small barrel swivel->>18"-36" leader->>hook with threaded nightcrawler= trout slayer

how much weight do you typically use? how about line types and weights or does it matter for you?

This is actually the same floating bait rig most people use to fish for trout from the shore, without the inflation of the worm.  A lot of people slip a bead in between the sliding weight and swivel to protect the knot, works well! 

When I first tried trolling for trout this is the same rig that I started using, but with flashers between the swivel and leader.  Worked like a charm! And if I got lazy, I could remove the flashers, and just bait fish.

So when fishing from the shore, I used minimum 1/2 to 3/4 weights, cause I had to get OUT THERE!  But now with the yak, no need to cast so far, so I have downed to 1/4 steel bullet weights.  They seem to travel far enough, and they cut through the water better than an egg to me.

Sorry I missed this jmairey. Anywhere from 1/4oz-1oz bullet or egg sinker. Usually 1/2oz.

yeah, I have used a 3/16 bullet weight in front of some mini flashers and that seems like a low hassle flexible setup, thanks for  the notes comparisons, 

Oh, and the techie in me likes the way the bullet shape fits over the bead too

Capt. Matt-

I'm not a trout trolling expert but, I've always done pretty well with a Wedding Ring tipped with a crawler.

Freddie

That's the setup Fred. Up here in the PacNorWest all the OG's use it  ...and is deadly effective. Plus you could go to the local craft store and make a bunch for like .10 each.

Z

small sliding weight->>small barrel swivel->>18"-36" leader->>hook with threaded nightcrawler= trout slayer

-FF

how much weight do you typically use? how about line types and weights or does it matter for you?

Line type: one thing i've always gotten a kick out of is watching a friend bust off a nice trout with his little tiny leader right as the fish gets to the boat... personally i dont bother with little stuff when i troll, just a good low visability line like trilene vanish, or something like it.. 8-10lb test and I can fish one for one with the 3lb leader guys, and land my fish!  I'm certain someone is gonna argue with me about this, so I await your response.