So, with planter trout fishing getting ready to kick off soon, I was curious to what methods you employ to target large fish. Im not talking about power bait or nightcrawlers that will catch any and all the little dinks along with the monsters. Im talking gear you use to make those big bassturds eat.

I'll start: I like to employ my fly rod to go after big turds. I'll use a couple different flies. My first choice is a big salt water bait fish pattern, bright and shiny, pulled along fast and erratic about 3"-6" under the surface. I will also use big bass poppers, really fun under certain conditions. Of course, a mouse fly when all else fails.

I rarely fish conventional gear for trout. Anything I'm missing out on to target big fish, something I could get some kids into specifically big fish?

Something to keep in mind on those breezy days that can make for challenging trolling/casting. If the lake has some chop or mini wave action, fishing points, drop offs, or shallow flats with an indicator and mini leech pattern or chronomid if it's early season can be deadly. The action from the chop on the water makes the leech bounce and move around. San Juan worms work too.....

big baits, big fish...


size 2 or 4 woolly buggers or big crawdad plugs...

I like big 3 to 4 " hammered brass steelhead spoons. rigged with a barbless hook. 4" coyotes' work well also. you need to troll a little faster than you would with a dick nite to keep them high in the water column. I have caught quite a few on the pink and purple fluffy jigs I use under a float for steelhead also. pink on cloudy days purple on sunny days.

Some of the biggest trout of the year are caught by dudes tossing crankbaits for bass.
Big black or brown marabou leeches always did the trick for me.
SF

Excited to try the new to me maglip 2.5 this spring instead of the little rapals ive been running for years that go out of tune with every hook up.

If you're bank-bound, +1 on the mini leeches under an indicator. If there's no wind to keep 'em bouncing, a slow, short strip pattern will impart the necessary motion. If you're fishing with young kids and don't want to fish bait, I'd get a light spinning rod and some Rooster Tails. Fly fishing with really young ones usually leads to more tears and frustration than great days with Dad (that's the conclusion I came to eventually). Once they get a taste of success, they'll become more patient and willing to learn fly fishing.

Also, it always helps to be in the right place. For whatever reason, the big planters seem to concentrate in specific areas. I believe you are familiar with more than one such area, as well as how you might reach them from available bank access points....

OH... and bring plenty of candy.

Yup, they tend to pool in one area on our local lake. That particular area does great with mouse flies by the way. Big fish only on that. Ever since you taught me to fly cast, I have learned how stupid these planter trout can be. Its become more fun to use "the wrong" fly and watch them chase it. Figured out the indicator thing on a windy day a couple years ago. I just happened to have my steelhead box with me. Im going to try and catch one on a bass hollow body frog this spring