Cal Kellogg leans on three trout trolling rigs. Run spoons clean at 2.5 to 2.8 mph to trigger reaction strikes. Rig a fly like a Metal Head Fly naked with an action disc on the nose, on 10 lb fluorocarbon at 1.8 to 2.4 mph. Thread a Trix Worm on a ring eye hook behind an action disc, run clean or behind a Turbo Flasher in the top 10 feet. Pair worms and flies with an attractor, but always troll spoons clean.
What is the naked action disc rig for trolling flies?
Cal's number one fly rig is 10 lb fluorocarbon, 36 to 40 inches, tied to a Metal Head Fly with a Palomar knot. He slides a Trigger Disc on with the stem pointed toward the fly, right on the nose, no bobber stops, and a simple loop up top. He trolls it 1.8 to 2.4 mph at any depth.
How do I rig a soft plastic worm for trolling?
Thread an action disc, two bobber stops, and a small saucer bead onto 8 to 10 lb fluorocarbon, then tie a number 4 Mustad or number 6 Eagle Claw bronze ring eye hook with a Palomar knot. Thread a Trix Worm on so the hook point sits far back, which hooks nippy, lethargic fish that just window shop the tail.
What is the number one finesse rig for tough trout?
When the water is cold and stained and fish are in a funk, Cal runs a Trix Worm on 8 lb fluorocarbon in the top 10 feet at 1.8 to 2.2 mph. He fishes it naked for pure finesse or behind a Turbo Flasher, and adds scent so a nipping trout tastes real meat and commits.
How do I rig spoons for trolling trout?
Run spoons clean so they swim freely, never behind a dodger. Cal starts with a larger Trigger Spoon at 2.5 to 2.8 mph, drops to a Junior Trigger Spoon at 1.5 to 2.2 mph, or runs a compact Pinhead Spoon around 1.8 to 2.25 mph. A spoon taps a trout's instinct to eat a smaller fish.
How do I pair a worm or fly with an attractor?
The attractor is a calling card that brings fish in from a distance to see, smell, and taste the bait. Cal rarely pairs a worm with a big 6 inch dodger. He runs a Turbo Flasher for a high pitched buzz with low drag, or a compact Mini Willow Dodger when fish want a different flash and vibration.
What is the grub and slow death hook rig?
Cal's confidence rig on a recent spring day was a Catch America glow white grub on a Mustad Slow Death Hook, about 22 inches of 8 lb fluorocarbon behind a pink Turbo Flasher. He tipped the grub head with a garlic scented Berkley power egg and slathered the whole rig with Trigger Scent.
Can I pair metal head flies with dodgers or flashers?
Yes. Cal keeps the naked action disc and long leader but adds a Turbo Flasher and rudder when fish are off the bite, sometimes matching the flasher color to the fly. That combination produced for him for about a month one spring through water temperature swings and rain.
Watch the technique
Trout trolling rigs and setups FAQ
Cal starts spoons fast at 2.5 to 2.8 mph and drops a Junior to 1.5 to 2.2 mph. Flies run 1.5 to 3.5 mph, most often 1.8 to 2.4. Soft plastic worms and grubs troll best around 1.8 to 2.2 mph.
A number 4 Mustad bronze ring eye hook or a number 6 Eagle Claw bronze ring eye hook, tied with a Palomar knot. Cal buries the point far back in the worm so nipping, lethargic fish still get hooked when they tap the tail.
Cal uses 8 to 10 lb fluorocarbon. Metal head fly rigs get 36 to 40 inches of leader, while his grub and worm rigs often run shorter, around 22 inches. He tips soft plastics with scent since they hold it well.
Cal designed the Turbo Flasher as a less intrusive attractor than a traditional metal lake troll. It puts out a high pitched buzz and good flash with very little drag, so it draws fish without overwhelming a compact worm or fly presentation.
No. Cal runs spoons clean across their speed range so they swim freely and tap a trout's reaction strike. He reserves dodgers and flashers for flies, worms, and grubs, which use the attractor as a calling card.
On baitfish lakes like Shasta and Folsom where trout eat pond smelt or threadfin shad, Cal leans on whites and blues. For newly planted fish or high Sierra bug eaters he breaks out bright pink and orange. His biggest guide trout, 13 pounds, ate a pink and white metal head.
A worm is real meat. Even a fish planted yesterday nips it, tastes blood and flesh, and instinctively knows it is an easy, nutritious meal. Get a trout to touch the worm and it usually commits deeply enough to hook, which is why Cal keeps a naked worm ready for finesse.
