Center Hill Dam this morning
 

Interesting story. Last night I was debating whether to wake up at 4am to fish the Caney for big trout and walleye. I thought maybe I'd wade for a bit and then hit the dam for the 6am generation. Before I went to bed I prayed and said "God, if it's going to be worth it wake me up. I'm not setting my alarm." Sure enough, I woke up at 3:45 unable to fall back asleep so about 4:30 I got out of bed, ate, and went fishing. I got to the dam right as generation started and caught this beautiful 19" rainbow. My biggest so far. I had many followers as well. Only one fish but a trout like that made the trip worth it!

I didn't do a good job holding it in the pic with me, it looks small haha. Trust me, it was 19 inches and it was a beauty! I caught it using a 3" pearl suspending xrap, all the followers were after that lure as well. Maybe a slightly different retrieve technique could have convinced a few of those followers to strike? I was casting as far as I could then retrieving it fast for 3 or 4 turns of the reel then letting it sit for a second.

Great looking fish. Hopefully between yours and Old Sailors reports things are on the upswing. We're you fishing from boat?

Nope, bottom of the steps right where the water was coming above them. There were two other guys fishing, one of them caught a walleye and that was the only other fish caught other than my trout. It would have been a much better day if I could have convinced some of those followers to strike! I saw a lot of large trout this morning.

xrap
 

Is that the countdown xrap?

The regular xrap will suspend on pause. I don't know for sure but he's probably fishing a XR08.

If so its got a white tail on the treble. What I'd do if you have more of them (they are $$$ though) would be swap the rear treble with a chartruse skirted or red skirted hook instead of the white. That way if you're getting lots of follows on the standard but no commits it would same bait but slightly different.

A lot of times when they follow they are interested but just not totally willing to commit. Also, if you have the same bait in a smaller size would be a change up as well. Sometimes changing up a retreive will help but they will eat it pretty early in the cast if they are going to unless one shoots straight up from the bottom closer to you in my experiences.

Beautiful fish! I love to see the followers also....even if they don't commit. Looks like you made the right decision...LOL.


Regards

With suspending jerkbaits, you can also try giving them a short, very hard jerk then immediately pointing your rid tip back at the lure. This will put slack in the line, and you can actually get an x-rap to pull a 180 degree turn, almost like a baitfish turning around to see its' pursuer. If you have a follow, try it. The trout will either spook or try to destroy your lure. Just another little trick I've picked up over the years.


Chris

You're right, it's the XR08. 4 inches I believe and it has that white skirt. That doesn't sound like a bad idea to change skirt patters. Much like spinnerbait skirts, sometimes color is key! I love that Xrap, I've fished with it a few times and I love the way it swims but never caught any fish on it until today. Good way to break that lure in! Now that I know big trout like it, I'll be using it much more often

That's very interesting, I'll have to try that out next time.

It seems to me that some days they follow, and some days they eat. Not sure why - it seems like it might have a little to do with how sunny it is, but I'm not sure.

Regardless, if they're in a following mood and not an eating mood, it's tough to change their minds.


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I see that with stripers, too. It's like trying to tempt a cat with a piece of string...sometimes the cat pounces immediately, other times it just stares.


Chris

Nice catch. My biggest bow is 18" caught in a white rooster tail. Absolutely destroyed it. I had to replace the hook because he bent it up.

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I've heard of people catching trout that size on rooster tails but I've never been able to do it. The largest ever on a roostertail was about a 13" brown. Were you using the typical, tiny 1/16oz one or a much larger size to catch that large of a trout?

I have caught quite a few 20 inch Bows on Trout Magnets.....and a bunch in the 16 to 18 inch range. My sons caught some monster Bows in East TN on same lure. I have no clue as to how small is too small when it comes to lure profile.....but the Magnet can certainly catch large trout....as do many small flies......and other small lures. I am aware Browns do prefer larger offerings......but not sure that applies to Bows.



Regards

Alpha...I have had much success with the TM for gills (no float) but have not found the secret for the trout...are you fishing with the float for trout? any tips or techniques from your experience are appreciated..thanks again... your posts are always informative.