Putting out a Spread

Open Water TrollingLake Ontario Salmon & Trout

Shane Thombs

April 6st 2008

Trolling Intrusiveness

• Feeding Response: Active, Neutral or Negative

• Your Presents: Intrusiveness» Positive or Negative Stimulants to Fish

– Masking Intrusiveness» Cloudy Conditions

» Waves

» Off Coloured Water

• Historically it can be suggested that because the water is clearer, the amount of masking your intrusiveness has been reduced.

April 6st 2008

Intrusiveness Effect Fish

• What makes my Trolling Spread Intrusive?

• Effects fish Positively or Negatively– Measured by…

Curiosity> Positive Spooky> Negative

April 6st 2008

Intrusiveness as a Tool

• The control factor in a spread– Combination of …

• ATTRACTION– Used to draw fish into the spread when Curious

– adjust amount of attraction to Curiosity – Spookiness

• TRIGGER– Parts of the spread that get the bites

– Attention to details – colour, depth, speed of Trigger baits

April 6st 2008

Spread Teamwork

• Balance of Attraction and Triggers– Rods ran individually -less productive

• Compounding results

• Parts that make higher Attraction vs. Triggers

• Clues to help make a productive spread– What does the graph tell you?

– Changing conditions?

April 6st 2008

Where in the Spread?

Inner Group Dynamic•High Level Intrusiveness•Attraction is high•Good for Curious Fish

•Good for making turns•Easier Rod Management•Not as equipment diversified•Most understood by GL trollers

Middle Group Dynamic•Somewhat Intrusiveness•Attraction is medium - high•Good for middle range curious fish

•No tight turns, but you can navigate freely•Most difficult Rod Management group•Most equipment diversified•Accounts for more salmon across the lake then any other group•Least understood by old-timer trollers

Outer Group Dynamic•Lowest level of Intrusiveness•Attraction is lowest•Good for spooky fish

•Slow steady turns, poor in boat traffic, limiting navigational options•Not an easy Rod Management spread group•Somewhat diversified in equipment•The least used spread group, but gaining popularity- FAST•Somewhat understood by old-timer trollers, but with a new age twist.

Inner Group

• Downriggers!

AttractionFlasher/Flyshort lead

Middle Group

• Deeper Divers

April 6st 2008

Outer Group

• Planer Boards– Inline– Conventional

Example Spread <40 ft• Curious Fish & Actively Feeding

– High Attraction

– Inner & Middle Spread (clustered)

Example Spread <40 ft• Spooky Fish & slightly off the Feed

– Low Attraction, more Trigger

– Middle and Outer Spread (scattered)

Example Spread 40-70 ft• Curious Fish & Actively Feeding

– High Attraction

– Inner & Middle Spread (clustered)

Example Spread 40-70 ft• Spooky Fish & slightly off the Feed

– Low Attraction, more Trigger

– Middle and Outer Spread (scattered)

Example Spread 70-100 ft• Curious Fish & Actively Feeding

– High Attraction

– Inner & Middle Spread (clustered)

Example Spread 70-100 ft• Spooky Fish & slightly off the Feed

– Low Attraction, more Trigger

– Middle and Outer Spread (scattered)

Leadcore

• Albright Knot

Copper Wire

• Deeper with less line out then Leadcore- over 1 1/2 times deeper!

2.7 mph, Depths by great lengths

150 ft (5 colours)

200 ft (7 colours)

300 ft (10 colours)

350 (12 colours)

Leadcore (27lbs) 22 ft 32 ft 40 ft 48 ft

Copper (35lbs) 32 ft 43 ft 62 ft 68 ftCopper Reel Size: Walker 888 or

Walker 330LCWalker 888 or Walker 330LC

Walker 500 LC or Okuma 45

Walker 500 LC or Penn 345GTI

April 6st 2008

On the Water Consulting

• Info available to fast track your success

• Bring 16 years of salmon charter fishing experience to you’re your boat.

• Rigging your boat

• Select the proper equipment to maximize success

• Learn the basics and advanced techniques to catch more fish.

• Visit my website for more…www.FintasticSportfishing.com

• Consulting on your boat or my boat (1-4 man trips)

April 6st 2008

Thanks For Your Time

• Visit my website…

www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

*Good Luck this year and see you

out on the Water!

April 6st 2008