What's your go to for these beauties? Flies? spinners?
I've only ever caught the little guys on worms when I was a kid..*shrug* Going to have to give them a serious try this year.
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What's your go to for these beauties? Flies? spinners?
I've only ever caught the little guys on worms when I was a kid..*shrug* Going to have to give them a serious try this year.
For me, a hook and worm is next to impossible to beat. Sometimes when they ask for it, a nice lively stickleback on a bare hook. Spinners have also worked pretty good for me. I should mention that almost all my fish i caught are natural trout in small creeks, some which are crystal clear water and others are tea-stained with a quick flow. Find the pools and eddy's and you will find the fish.
I fish for brookies in a small pond conected to a stream. Trout worms work the best for me but I always catch the larger ones on a pink and black rooster tail spinner, other colours work well when the season gets later.
there are alot of options. i have caught them on spinners with orange being the best. i will use other colours and catch brown trout and switch to orange and immediatly catch specs., maybe its just me. also in lakes where they are bigger countdown rapalas in 1.5 ito 2 inch sizes, 1/16th oz jigs tipped with 1-2.5 inch gulp or fin-s fish, anything that looks like a bug or small minnow and of course worms and wax worms on small jigs or hooks. berkley trout bait in a jar(orange colour is good) also works well, got my personal best open water on that stuff.
sorry after all that rant i just re-read your post #1 bait, i guess a panther martin spinner.
Thanks for posting this thread Bicephalic!!
I've been thinking about asking the same question.
I'm heading for Lake Nipigon at the end of May and I want to make sure I have all of my basis covered.
Right now, I'm working on finding someone with stock of Krocodile spoons and Sutton West Rivers
Something not mentioned yet is mini live crayfish (if you can find them)......... Tiny hook and single split shot, watch your line on the drop and look for the sudden twitch. I actually put a trap out in the ponds the night before I go up north and usually get a dozen or so.
This year I picked up a couple sinking mini crayfish crank baits that I am itching to try.
Gold Williams Firefly(double blade) tipped with a garden worm drifted slowly
Don't apologize, that's a lot of good info!Quote:
Originally Posted by intothedeep
My first brookie was a chunky 16 incher that smashed a rebel wee craw...about 1.5inches long. Since then I've fished for small resident trout in the upper credit, and found that tiny spinners work really well...like Panther Martin 0's and 1's.
From what I've heard and read, spoons, spinners and small cranks are pretty popular in the Spring...
I fish stocked Brookies in a lake, so this advice might not help as much as the others :P I've used Mepps spinners ranging from 0-3 in silver, gold and orange. However, I always tie on a small clump of marabou to the treble hook, and somedays this seems to be the difference maker (compared to others casting just plain spinners). I've also caught quite a few on a small silver and black Rap. If both those fail, I tie on a Woolly Bugger with some split shot about a foot above it ;)
around 80% of the few brookies ive caught (including my pb) came on a berkley powerbait trout. the rest have come on a fly called the "spuddler" in size 12. i hope to find a population close to my home, every brook trout i have caught have been in nova scotia:fish:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...oktrout002.jpg
12", not bad for a very slow moving, shallow (average depth of around 2.5') stream that at its widest is around 20'
if youre fishing a lake, a panther martin tipped with a worm would be good. Also, i, a muddler minnow fly seems to be best for flyfishing, dont know if you can rig it up on spinning gear.
for a river, worms are hands down the best. brook trout arent picky, the trouble is finding them.
good luck
I've caught two brook trout in my life and both have been *really* small. And by that I mean 3" and 4". I caught one on a tiny beetle spin and the other on a #0 size silver Aglia spinner. They were from the pond here in town and both were caught during early fall, just before the season closed.
alot of times when chubs are over powering I use the tip of a chub tail.chub won't bite and the speks love the tail,great for brown to
Quote:
Originally Posted by jipper
caught alot of specks on that rig!! bigger lake specs love it with 8-10 inchs of line. ive still got a bunch of the old ones with red beads , the new ones just arent the same!
X2 on the chubtail, I use my worms to catch the chub. Best Brookie bait goin, when they hit they dont let go.Quote:
Originally Posted by beatty brown
Quote:
Originally Posted by bicephalic
:fish::fish:without a doubt WORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!:fish::fish:
Guys a tactic I have been using ( caught a lot of fish ) is taking a Panther Martin, take the treble off and replace with a good small single hook, add a small chunk of worm and I fish the fast water with them, 90% of the time you will get a bite in the first 20 seconds or so ( they are pretty aggresive fish, ) I have tried the bare panther martin and not near the success, the odd time I will try just a worm and a small split shot but find I catch away to many chubs in the slow water, the specks have to be aggressive to get the food coming downstream so seem to sit in the faster water....have cleaned them and found little orange pebbles in there stomach. For big lake specks ( my son and I have caught our PB ) in the 3 lb range , we used EGB"S, this was in Algonquin Park, have caught smaller ones using a spinner with a worm on it... have my speck creek all picked out and ready to go for 6:00 am saturday and leave for the park next Wed. can't wait, out catching worms last night...lucky if I am getting 3 hours sleep a night right now,,,this will be roughly my 45th opener in a row...
sweet thread. I was gonna start one like this as I am going out for my first brookie targetting adventure this weekend. a stream not far from here so if we get into them it will be a great location for me. I think worms and PM and mepps spinners will be my go to. we'll see how it goes.
Great info! Love how these threads develop into novels of technique.
My dad went out with some guys last weekend (brookies are open there), and he was the only one converting his hits...was using small commercially bought fly's (didnt see so can't comment on pattern)about 3' downstream from a float, and would skate them upstream and let them fall...fish on...repeat. Can't imagine the guys using their light trout tackle appreciated his bass rod/spincast setup with 12lb fluoro. LOL.
I don't have a number 1 bait. I have numerous baits I prefer depending upon the conditions. They will hit different baits at different times in the same creek and some days they can't make up their minds.
My favourites include Panther Martins, EGBs, small flatfish, worms (I always take them with me) and a small white jighead along with small white powerbait twister tails.
Roe+
fished brookies twice a year for the last 5 years,all in algonquin,wild fish...nothing beats a little cleo blue and silver tipped with a piece of worm,trolled from a canoe can get down anywhere from 5 to 15 feet depending on lure size,hook up with the odd laker,great for splake.lots of pics to prove it
Well light it up friend..we're always happy to see fish pics :DQuote:
Originally Posted by gonq67
I have to list ten! Well the more I think about it, the harder is is to pick 10.
Conditions, location and seasons effect my choices very much. So, for this thread we will assume my chosen baits are for open water lake Specks, on spinning gear.
My first choice (and I've talked about it on many sites) is the double bladed Hildebrandt spinner with a mono trailer. This setup has put more Specks in my canoe and boat than any other lure. I have used it in both Brackish and Fresh water Speck locations.
The first photo is of the complete rig, (hard to see the line and double hooks) but with rubber instead of the real dew worm. Notice the 15 inch ruler to show the length of lead behind the blades. Also notice the tandem hooks to keep the worm stretched out. In dirty water I will shorten the distance between the blades and the hooks. Big Specks like big meals, but have learned to be cautious and will often strike short on lures. This rig brings them in and they can't refuse the fresh dew worm! ;D
It's important to have a good quality swivel at the head of the Hildebrandt as well as between the lure and the dew worm on the mono trailer.
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits1.jpg
Two more closeup shots of the same rig:
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits2.jpg
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits3.jpg
The above setup is my trolling / exploring rig for covering lots of water in an effort to locate fish. When I do get to know the water and Speck locations, I will switch rods and downsize bait. (below) I like to throw a number 2 silver spinner (with stinger) and worm at structure in the area I last caught a Speck. I will be tossing the lure below with very light line and a long float rod to allow distance from the spooky monsters!
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits4.jpg
I am usually targeting Specks destined for the frying pan, so you will notice the Siwash hook on the Blue Fox spinner. I have found less fish are lost with the single hooks, but I don't bother changing out the trebles on the small plugs. I think it's a vision thing as well as the plugs were designed to swim with their trebles.
I will clean the first few fish on the spot and determine the stomach contents. At this point, If I find minnows or large nymphs are the order of the day, I will run small plugs behind the Hildebrandt at the same distance, or behind the Blue fox by about 8 inches and troll the area well.
Here are some of my choice plugs in divers as well as wobblers:
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits6.jpg
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits7.jpg
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits8.jpg
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits9.jpg
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits10.jpg
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits11.jpg
http://www.yrf.ca/images/baits/baits12.jpg
Of course the old dew worm on a single hook by itself is great bait when the Specks are active. I have also found three and four digested frogs in the stomachs of larger Specks, and have used live frogs with success in the right conditions! It's too much like bass fishing when I fish with frogs! LOL!
If I have access to a creek or river, I will collect helgramites (sp) and stonefly nymphs and use them on a small hook and light line. There are times when live nymphs will outfish anything out there!
A collection of small EGB spoons is also a must have at times.
http://www.cimcom.ca/riverx/lunch1.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2277099_n.jpg
:)
Troutslayer was just wondering if you have ever used or seen these.I picked them up from a friend in England,they are called flying condoms.lol.They look similiar to the blue fox vibrax that you have in one of your pics.When i was in England we used them for brown trout and sea run salmon.
Thanks for posting those Pudge, I've never seen them before. I'll look into finding some. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by pudge
I've never used them in Canada for trout or salmon,but when i saw your post it got me excited to try them cause they look like the spinner you have.The guy that i was fishing with in England gave me some as a souviner.Let me know if you find any.
I see Mepps makes them as well http://www.mepps.com/products/brochures/flyingc/ . I may order some to try on the sea-run Specks on Cape Breton Island. :)
That didn't take long,thanks for the info.I might try them around the whirlpool next time i'm down there.My friend in England swears by them.
A dry fly 3ft down from a bobber has been gold for me this year. I let it float out in the current of the stream I've been fishing then slowly real it back in. I catch a lot of small rainbows in the 5 - 10 inch range. Using a wet fly gets me fish on the bigger side of the range but I get fewer of them.
Waxworms,mealworms and/or silkworms always give me good hits. Good old worm and small hook doesn't hurt either ;D
Mepps agula and panther martins for spin gear.
wooly buggers on the fly
Most Speckie fishing for me is done on smaller lakes, that being said, gold color Hildebrants trolled just fast enough to make the spinners rotate seems to be the ticket most of the time.
Number of folks mention the color orange. I read a study that found that male specks start focusing on orange colored foods such as zooplankton and crayfish, starting in early August. They crave the carotene, which is necessary for changing to their spawning colors. This is, I believe, why copper &/or orange bladed spinners and spoons seem to produce better in the late season.
My #1 go to is a 4-inch minnow for large specks -- where you can legally use them.
I am excited for my upcoming brookie trip. Thanks for the great info. I have a box of countdowns, Martin panthers, hooks, floats, split shots, Mepps and Cleo's. I will be bringing my ultralight rigged with four pound test as well as an ice fishing rod I case I want to explore some tight creeks/streams.
My question: are you 'speck specialists' tieing lures directly to the line or using swivels of some sort?
Peter
If you're using any kind spinner bait then a swivel is almost a must have.
I keep it simple, a chartreuse go getter with worm. I make my own so I use a bit longer piece of mono so the swivel doesn't affect action or appearance.
Small hook, worm, lead sinker, and a float about 3' up. Let it bottom bounce its way down a stream or riffle of water.
Worked as a kid, works now.
Best brookie bait I've ever used was what was on Woodys Rod. Can't remember what it was but got a pb and the best day I've ever had fishing. It was great walking out of a lake and having to set down the limit of specks time to time because it was getting too heavy.
In NB we always used spinners like this Slim Eli Spinners with lot's of worms. But it doesnt seem to work very well in Ontario. The trout seem more timid here.
http://www.yakimabait.com/catalog/pr...cat=302&page=1
Why are swivels a must?Quote:
Originally Posted by sawbill
Because spinners twist your line and swivels prevent much of that from happening.Quote:
Originally Posted by Houndlover
garden worms and silver and gold spinner works great oilman
The Panther Martin is a great weapon.
My favourites are a Blue/ Silver Cleo and EGB Pattern #204
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/9127/dsc07621a.jpg
Love that this thread got resurrected after so long. Love the panther martin 0 and 1 for these guys!
Yep small panther Martains and 00 and 01 mepps!! The mepps 'little wolf' spoon is nice to!
Oh and my very very very very small rapalas.... 1 and 2 pieces. Somtimes if I'm walking upstream I'll slowly 'troll' a small rapala to bring out the more agressive ones
Love the 'look' of the little wolf...and the hype it got on a little show in 'Paradise' fishing for specks, but haven't had any success with it yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Houndlover
Try trolling it for walleye as well early season :shades:Quote:
Originally Posted by bicephalic
for the guys fishing small creeks, do yourself """and the fish a favor"" and change the treble out to a single hook, probably more hook-ups and a lot less damage to their mouths when releasing, have seen a few small fish hooked with all 3 trebles and almost impossible to get the hook out without harming the fish..........
23 more days """but who's counting""". got the rod and reel out on the weekend, new line, lures all tuned up, but not anxious at all...........
Great tip Big Mack....
After a successful outing a few years ago I changed all my spinners to single hooks.
Pinching the barb is also a good idea if you plan on releasing.
Hardly even have to touch the fish with these two practises.
Remember to atleast wet your hands with these sensetive little guys.
FSHN 247
Oh Ya....once in a while one for the pan is a good idea too!!!!:thumbup:
EGB, Panther Martin, lipless crank, maraboo jig, hook and worm all on 5'6" light action shimano rods with 1000 class shimano reels, nonofil 6 lbs line, ant swivel and 6 lbs fluro.
just noticed this thread, my best setup for brookies is a #1 mepps aglia silver or gold in colour, but the small ones i find like worms or flies, i usually only fish for 16 inches and up, so im no expert on the smaller fish. ive tried blue fox and panther marten, but found mepps specifically aglia works amazing, immitating a minnow exactly what a large brook trout wants, but then again sometimes the spinner dies and i put on a slip foat a small hook and a worm, and then bam sometimes i even get 22 inch specks on a WORM! but i find they come off easy with the one hook, and if i fish with a worm i like to have no sinkers attached, the float always lies down, BUT the worm falls slowly and looks very realistic! but usually the spinner is my go-to.
Williams wobbler #60 silver in colour is a killer for those larger brookies!!!!!
https://webmail.eastlink.ca/iwc/svc/...31020-1854.jpg
Number 2's and 3's with extra long single hooks fresh off the wire bender.
I like a 4inch husky jerk, black with the orangy red belly.Fish it like you would for smallies.
I'm not telling, lol
It has changed as my reasons for speck fishing changed. I have been fishing them for 49 years. During the first 30 I was almost exclusively catch-n-eat and my go to would be natural bait, especially minnows, smelt, ciscos. During the last 19 I have been almost exclusively catch-n-release and my go to are large streamer fly patterns that imitate minnows, smelt, ciscos.
I know that Drew at Watson's Tackle house in Owen Sound usually has an assortment of Sutton West Rivers Spoons in stock. They are pricey little devils but they do work well.
My biggest cane off a #12 gold rib hares ear.
My largest (18") was caught on a #12 Red Wooly Worm.
#40 Williams in silver, or silver and red have worked awesome through the ice!!!!
Just noticed this old thread. Thoughts from someone who has been fishing brookies/specks for 60 years: If you want bigger ones focus on using larger bait fish, and specifically the type of bait fish naturally in the waters you are fishing. If bait isn't legal in the water you are fishing next best thing is something that mimmicks a larger bait fish -- an articulated artificial works better than ones that aren't articulated -- fly, hardbait, spinner-softbait combo.