Lake trout setup

What are you guys typical setup for catching big lake trout?….(rod,reel,line, etc.)

TUCR LTP

2500 series spinning reel of your choice.

20-30 lb braid

15-20 lb mono or floro leader

What about smaller lake trout? Is a typical walleye setup too light? I would like to give it a try before going and buying a dedicated rod. Specifically fishing Big Trout in Crosslake.

A rod that is on the heavier side of what you use for walleye will be fine to get started for lakers.

Mookie Blaylock wrote:

What about smaller lake trout? Is a typical walleye setup too light? I would like to give it a try before going and buying a dedicated rod. Specifically fishing Big Trout in Crosslake.

A rod needs to be paired to the lure being used and not necessarily toward the fish being targeted. If you plan to use 3/4-2oz lures, you’re going to need a stiffer rod.

For lake trout and trout in general, I recommend longer rods because of how quick they can run and how wildly they can shake their head. You need room for absorption from a quick run and a good load on the rod to take up those head shakes.

In general heavier walleye gear is good fro small lake trout, but I do recommend a longer rod. 34″+

Ice or open water? Some of us have our minds set to hard water but I see this is not in the ice fishing forum

I run a 42″ custom made glass rod with a standard 2000-2500 reel 10# hard line and fluorocarbon leader a swivel. med heavy I would say on blank.

Batson Eglass 7ft Med Mod cut down to 42″ from tip section, casting reel seat, Abu 5500 bait cast, 12# fluoro. You can fish med size walleye to lakers. Also have a Tuned Up LTP 42″ casting style.

biggill wrote:

TUCR LTP

2500 series spinning reel of your choice.

20-30 lb braid

15-20 lb mono or floro leader

Just curious, but why the heavy mainline? Thinner braid collects A LOT less water/ice and I’ve never seen the ice cut the line while fighting a fish.

Swivel or knot for the leader connection?

My smaller laker setup is a Jason Mitchell 38″ Mackinaw spinning rod, size 30 reel. 30# braid with 12# leader. Great eelpout rig too.

My bigger rods are custom rods i built up from a Batson .385x.105×72 solid glass blank. cut 2 feet off the butt. I have pretty long handles built on them. size 30 spinning reels. same line setup on these. My dad has 3 built off of this blank from 39-48″.

I would stick to glass rods, especially if you fish outside. Graphite will blow up, I’ve done it. And if you fish outside, go with a long rod. 4 foot is nice. don’t have to bend over and can stand back from the hole a little.

tswoboda wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>biggill wrote:</div>
TUCR LTP

2500 series spinning reel of your choice.

20-30 lb braid

15-20 lb mono or floro leader

Just curious, but why the heavy mainline? Thinner braid collects A LOT less water/ice and I’ve never seen the ice cut the line while fighting a fish.

Swivel or knot for the leader connection?

Depends on the eyes on the rod. Big eyes will pass a lot more ice.

In general I’ve been bulking up all my lake trout and salmon gear. Summer and winter.

You make a good point about ice but personally I prefer to have heavier gear. If had some sketchy fights with 10# braid that I’d rather not repeat.

I’d recommend braid exclusively deeper than 40′.

I’d lean toward swivel but you might catch me going without if I’m feeling lazy. I use a lot of darting baits that tend to twist up your line.

Ryan Scholl wrote:

I have pretty long handles built on them

My only regret. Should’ve gotten loooong handles. Makes a big difference in a long fight.

Ryan Scholl wrote:

Batson .385x.105×72 solid glass blank

I am looking at building my first fishing rod to target sturgeon. This is the same blank that was recommended to me. 3 of them were sitting on my door step last night when I got home.

Tuma wrote:

I am looking at building my first fishing rod to target sturgeon. This is the same blank that was recommended to me. 3 of them were sitting on my door step last night when I got home.

I’ve used this one from Jann’s too. It was easier to get than the Batson. Same dimensions.
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/solid-fiberglass-rod-blanks/026125000008.aspx

If you are looking for a cheaper set up check out a 38 inch frabil pike rod in the medium heavy plenty of back bone and the medium heavy cushion handshakes nicely. Pair that with a decent reel that have a nice drag system and away you go. Also jason Mitchell makes a nice lake trout rod in a baitcasting model and spinning model

http://www.mudhole.com/MHX-Head-Boat-Solid-Fiberglass-Rod-Blank-HB-6620?quantity=1?quantity=1

Here is another solid glass blank that is budget friendly to build a Trout or Sturgeon rod.

I also have an older 36″ MH St. Croix Premier ice that works well with a Sedona 2500. The new St. Croix Avid Glass series 36″ MH is one STOUT rod with one heck of a tip. Something to look into.