Watab trout

[Guest]

What kind of bait do people use to fish trout on watab?
And how do you decide where in the water column to fish for them?

[SpikeRoberts]

I've only fished Watab a half-dozen times, but each time we used ice fishing jigs tipped with corn or waxies under slip bobbers and brought home fish.

Most often the fish are suspended in the water column so its very helpful to have a graph to locate them. In the absence of a graph -- find them bottom and slowly reel up stopping at five to ten foot intervals on the way up -- rinse and repeat.

Let us know how you did and what worked for you.

[Guest]

Spike -- Do you happen to know if anyone has trolled using downriggers? In looking at the lake map, it appears a decent trolling run could be made over deep water. It might be fun to try deep trolling tactics later in the summer when the trout tend to go deep.

[Coleman]

What area of the lake are the trout most common at? I was thinking about going out there this weekend if weather permits. I'm getting my stamp tomorrow too. Cant wait.

[SpikeRoberts]

Clayton,
I think the lake is consistently deep enough to troll with downriggers and I have seen people dragging big old flashers and catching fish -- might be fun to try.

Coleman,
I've always done best over the 60'-70' hole on the SW corner. I just looked and it doesn't show up on the DNR map but its there out in front of a big old house with a manicured lawn. See also: Skeets' post below.

[This message has been edited by SpikeRoberts (edited 06-18-2002).]

[Skeets]

I like to vertical jig them with my Vexilar, It is just like ice fishing, keep moving until you see fish suspended.
Jig 'em up with small jigs and waxies or crawlers. At dusk, sometimes you can get them on Mepps spinners near the surface. Let me tell you, that is fun!

[Guest]

Clayton, I don't fish watab for trout but I can tell you this. It sets up real good for running downriggers. The deep water section of the lake is long an narrow and you can make very long runs without having to turn. I am sure it would be a blast!ScottS

[Guest]

Thanks for the info, Spike and Scott. I think I've got to put downrigging for trout on Big Watab on my late July schedule. The lake should be fully stratified by then and deep trout visible on the locator.

I'll remember to give a report of what happens. The bulk of my downrigging has been on Lake Michigan, but I can't see why it wouldn't work on inland lakes when fish go deep in summer.

[Guest]

When you get into the suspended walleye out there, let me know!!ScottS

[Coleman]

Did any one get a chance this weekend to try Watab? I was going tow my boat over there from Horseshoe, but there was too much traffic at the boat landing. And it was really hot as you know. So I thought it wouldnt be great anyways. But I thought I would just ask. Thanks.