Bass eat trolled trout lures. Cal Kellogg picks up smallmouth and spotted bass on the same Speed Spoon, Trigger Spoon and Junior Optimizer he pulls for trout. Run the spoons clean at 2.5 to 3 mph in the top 10 to 15 feet. A 3 pound smallmouth grabbed a Speed Spoon in open water just short of 3 mph. As Cal puts it, you can mop the bass up on the troll.
Can you catch bass while trolling for trout?
Yes. Smallmouth and spotted bass hit the same spoons you pull for trout. Cal says you can mop the bass up on the troll, which is exactly why trolling is banned in bass tournaments. Any lake where trout and bass share bait will give up bonus bass.
What lures catch bass on the troll?
Trout spoons. A Speed Spoon, Trigger Spoon, Junior Trigger Spoon and Junior Optimizer, all run clean. A 3 pound smallmouth crushed a Speed Spoon in open water.
How fast should I troll to catch bass?
The same speed you troll for trout, about 2.5 to 3 mph. The open-water smallmouth hit a Speed Spoon going just short of 3 mph. Spoons ride clean at that pace with no attractor in front.
How deep for bass while trout trolling?
The top 10 to 15 feet, on lead core or a top line, the same zone as the trout. That is where the spotted bass and smallmouth grabbed Trigger Spoons at Rollins Reservoir and Lake Berryessa.
Do big minnow plugs catch bass too?
Yes. Hunting browns at Lake Almanor with 5 inch minnow plugs also produced a 3 pound smallmouth. Bass grab anything that looks like a fleeing pond smelt, plug or spoon.
Where does this happen in Northern California?
Pond smelt lakes like Lake Berryessa, Lake Almanor and Rollins Reservoir. Anywhere trout and bass feed on the same baitfish, expect smallmouth and spotted bass to eat your trolled spoons.
Watch the technique
Catching bass while trolling for trout FAQ
They key on the same pond smelt. A spoon or plug at trout speed looks like a fleeing baitfish, so bass eat it.
A Speed Spoon at close to 3 mph took an open-water 3 pound smallmouth. Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers also produce.
Yes. Spotted bass hit Trigger Spoons and Junior Trigger Spoons at Berryessa and Rollins while Cal trolled for trout.
The same top 10 to 15 feet as the trout, on lead core or a top line.
Yes. A 5 inch minnow plug fished for browns at Almanor also caught a 3 pound smallmouth.
No. Cal notes you can mop the bass up on the troll, which is why it is banned in bass tournaments.
