Baitcaster or Spinning for Lake Trout?

I’m debating on going baitcaster or spinning for a Lake trout setup this winter. I know that a baitcaster setup is probably best for monster lakers, however, I need to be realistic on the size fish Im actually going to catch. Yes, if I’m on Superior and I get a fish of a lifetime on I would hate to lose it by being underpowered. I don’t want to overpower myself and then I go to Ely and I catch some 20″ fish and its too much and takes the fun away? Ideally I would like to get a MH-heavy rod with a larger spinning reel but I need to know your thoughts? Also if you recommend a Baitcaster what would you recommend that would do well in the cold/ice.
Thanks for the help.

What are you most comfortable fishing with, spinning or casting? You won’t be casting fishing thru a hole in the ice so tangles related to casting pretty much disappear if that’s a concern. Either will work for trout as long as you don’t look to use bargain or low end reels. Lakers are tough fish and can tax the heck out of even good reels so which ever you are most comfortable with using, spend some money on the reel so you know you are getting a dependable drag system….maybe even consider up-grading the drag washers to Teflon or carbon too.

I cast Lake Superior Lakers thru the summer months and use 6 pound XL clear. You might be amazed at how many quite large fish I have landed using such light line but I don’t scrimp on the spinning reel. If you are not spending at least a c-note for the reel you are not spending enough to get a dependable drag system.

As far as rods go, I really like the Tuned up custom LTP rod in a 38-42″ rod. They are maybe a little bit heavy for a 5 pound laker, but you still get to fight them – It still takes me a minute or two to land a 5 pounder on a LTP. I have caught lakers up to 25 pounds through the ice on them as well so they definitely have what it takes to land a trophy as well which is why I use them. It’s really important that you have a good stiff backbone for your laker rods as they have extremely hard mouths and you want to be able to bury the hooks on that initial hook set.

As for reels, I use my normal spinning reels that I use in the summer for walleyes. Like Tom said, make sure you are using a quality reel with a good drag system. The reason that I prefer a spinning reel is because I like to jig, work fish, and set the hook with my right hand. Its what i’m comfortable with and I have never been in a situation where my spinning reel wasn’t up for the task of cranking in a big mean laker.

Hope this helps!

I’ll second everything that Pat said the only exception being I like 42-45″ rods. I may even go longer on my next LTP.

Also, my next LTP will have a longer handle. When you’re fighting a fish for a few minutes I want to be able to rest the butt on my forearm rather than have all of the weight on my wrist.

I use spinning too. Less water inside the reel. Baitcasters I have had out in real cold temps do not seem to function well. I think they generally have more water build up.

The only advantage I can see using a baitcaster for lakers is possibly being easier and smoother feeding line out/reeling in to a curious one chasing your bait up and down the water column like they do. Never tried it, but just a thought. I always use my walleye summer spinning reels.

Just got my LTP in the mail the other day!! Can’t wait to use this rod this winter! Been doing alot of thinking on the eagle claw inline magnum reel. I upgraded the drag washers on my buddies and was pretty impressed. Anyone else have any thoughts on these reels??

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=72528816&camp=CSE:GooglePLA:72528816:22262050-DSG:TACKLE_ICE-FISHING_ICE-RODS%2FCOMBOS%2FREELS&gclid=Cj0KEQjwi_W9BRD_3uio_Jz-p8UBEiQANU80voUzZ_9tw5_6o9wPM4R39-M0TywgqjP6a3PIsUI06o4aApWD8P8HAQ

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I guess that I am the exception here as I like to use baticasters for lakers. The main reason that I like such reels is that I primarily use fluouro line which is especially susceptible to super-coils. Which can get very ugly when there is 100 ft of line out. The other thing that I like about the baitcasters is that the reels can hold more line and it is much easier to control the initial fall with a baitcaster than a spinning reel.

The downside is that they do tend to get sticky in very cold weather, especially if you have several rods set up and are switching through them. When the baitcaster sits for an hour or so at sub-0 temps, the release button sometimes stops working. I have started to use Quantum Hot Sauce which helps a bit. I also use the same baitcasters that I have for bass fishing, so they are pretty expensive ($200 for a Shimano Curado). I do not know how a sub-$100 baitcaster would work..

I have a baitcasting setup just for panfishing and on up medium for walleyes to MH for catfishes. It’s all about balancing the setup.

Cheapo reels from $25 to $200+. Clean out the spool bearings and lightly lube them. That will help out without being sticky when cold.

It does make fish fighting way easier, but that is the point to it.