Trolling for trout at Shadowcliff

Thinking about taking my maiden voyage at Shadowcliff and attempt to troll for some trout while I'm at it.  I'm pretty newbie when it comes to trout fishing, even more so on a kayak.  I can see that some people troll rapala jointed minnows.  What size and depth lures are most of you using when trolling for trout?  Also, I don't have a depth/fish finder yet so I am guessing I will have to try various depths to find the fish?  Other than that, I only have some kastmasters, trout spinners, powerbait, and powerworms which would only seem fit if I post up at a spot.  Any beginner advice and tips are appreciated.  Thanks!

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,35511.0.html

Came across this thread while searching which was helpful.  Any additional tips not discussed on that thread will be helpful.

Go to the Members Only Fish Report page and look for "Mining the Quarry".  There are some really good tips on trolling Quarry which can be applied at Shadow Cliffs

I AM A FRESHWATER NEWBIE, so take that into SERIOUS consideration !!

I live 10 minutes away and have only caught 1 trout at Shadowcliffs.  I did limit elsewhere, but anyway.
If you read recent posts, it looks like the dodger/worm combo is working for a lot of people.  I limited at Berry a few weeks back with that setup: egg sinker//dodger//worm on 18" leader.  My other rod was flylining a rapala J7 (firetiger or brook trout).

As mentioned above, Back in January 2011, I did catch 1 trout @ shadowcliffs using a J7 firetiger.  Same time period.  Good luck!!

Since you're not using a FF, try using an egg sinker of various weights to try different water columns.  I also use a Scotty Laketroller downrigger.  I feel silly as a freshwater newbie talking about trout, but that's been my experience. 

btw, I'm probably gonna fish there next week trying for catfish or bass.  I'll post a hookup.

Hamachijohn

Thanks Str8fishin, I was just checking out that thread when you posted. 

Hamachijohn, thanks for your experience and tips.  Just curious, I notice there are various sizes for dodgers, about how big is the one you are using?

Also, I was thinking next weekend myself if weather permits.  Probably going to have my bass gear since I don't really expect much on trolling for trout, especially my first time out on the yak.  Maybe I'll catch you out there, I'll keep an eye out for the hookup.

Seps has great dodgers, the original slingbldes I believe are four inches but length isn't to much of a factor, it's the action your after. Seps also has a line of light tackle dodgers that are teardrop shaped and only about two and a quarter inches, I've had good luck on both.

Another option to worms if you get tired of threading them is a two inch root beer colored grub and some type of pro cure, my favorite is minnow oil but they'll all work.

If your able to troll two rods keep one up top and search various depths with the other like John said. If it's your first time trolling you probably just want to stick with one rod til you get used to it. Hope this helps and hope to see some pics and report after the trip. Oh and welcome to the madness!!

Joe

Careful not to troll where the bankies are fishing.  Have had a few bad days gettign tangled up in peoples lines trolling 

Joe - thanks for those tips, I did see those small teardrop shaped dodgers, maybe I should pick one of those up as well.  I'll most likely troll with 1 rod until I get comfortable with the kayak.  I'll definitely post a report after the trip.  Hoping to stick my first 2012 bass on a kayak!  The trout would be a bonus tho!

Al - I'll definitely make sure to keep the distance from the bankers.  Dealing with tangles is a headache on land, I sure as heck don't want to be responsible for a massive tangle on my first kayak trip.

Got a question on hook size & type, if I was to troll lets say a 3" power worm or mice tail, what size and type hook would you recommend using?

Thanks for all your inputs fellas.

Personally I only use two types of hooks for trout, bait holder in 6, or 8 and egg hooks in either 8 or 10..  A good way to go are the Gamakatsu snelled single egg hooks.  I usually will carolina rig them with a 1/4oz weight and bottom fish with them, but they work well for trolling too if your going to use a leader:

My first time fishing that lake a couple of years ago, I snagged one of the line from one of the bank fisherman. He was so mad but all I can do was apologize. I can't believe how far some of those guys cast. Good luck and have fun.

Jedmo

Wont mention what happened when sara snagged a line there...  

Al pretty much said it about the hooks. The only other one I would use is a long shanked(1-1/2 inches) cricket hook, threading my worm or plastic worm up past the eye putting the point way back for short strikes. Although if your not getting short strikes this can just cause a bunch of gut hooks so not ideal unless you want to keep a few.

Snelled hooks are IMO the best for catching trout.

During my lunch, I was near a Walmart so I picked up a Gibbs dodger, its about 6" in length.   Would this work or is this too large?   Also, does color matter?

For kayaking I prefer the smaller dodgers like Sepps and Shasta tackle make, but boats use those dodgers all the time.  But they generally use beefier rods too. 

During my lunch, I was near a Walmart so I picked up a Gibbs dodger, its about 6" in length.   Would this work or is this too large?   Also, does color matter?

Have a few of these in the same color they should work great, a six incher should just have a wider swing than the four incher. Always had luck with chrome so havent messed with to many colors. I have never noticed a difference in the amount of bits between the two but many die hard trouters would probably have an arsenal of dodgers and attractors of all sorts and swear by a different ones for different weather and water conditions.

Using a heavier rod or atleast line would be good cause the can cause a good amount of drag when trolling fast.