wrote in message
oups.com...
Folks,

I need some hope from your wisdom!

I line in New Jersey and have enjoyed salt water fishing on those
organized party boats.
Lately I got into fresh water fishing at Round Valley Reservoir in
Clinton. This man made lake is second largest in New Jersey and is
supposedly stocked with all kinds of trout.

I have read many many articles on the web and magazines about trout
fishing. Most of these articles are very weak on the type bait used
and the how deep you should go to fish. I have tried the following
recommendations:
a. Plastic lures (Various kinds) with a small sinker to go deep 30-40
feet: Did not work. Not even a bite
b. Salmon eggs: They work but the fish are too smart. Besides the
eggs easily fall off the hook.
c. Earth worms: No bite. Did not know what depth I should go.
d. Minnows: No bite. Did not know what depth I should go.
f. Trout bait - Shiny yellow modeling clay type material. Lot of
bites but the bait falls off.

So, fellows, please put me out my misery and tell me the secret ot
fresh water trout fishing!

PLEASE!!!!

Ash


The fact that you are pursuing trout in a large impoundment in August makes
your task more difficult.
In the summer months the trout will be in deep water and hang around the
thermocline so the whole trick
is to get it to where they are. Summer trout fishermen most often resort to
trolling deep, using all sorts of
methods to get it down there such as downriggers, leadcore line etc. Then
threre's whole world of trolling
lures plus gadgets like flashers. Unless you know someone who is into this
it may be tough to learn on your own.
Another aspect is whether your impoundment permits gas engines as trolling
while rowing is a whole 'nother
experience. If you are eager to hook into a trout quickly, use live bait as
in small fish. Large impoundments tend
to hold larger trout which in turn tend to feed more on fish. Check with
your local baitshop if this impoundment
has lake herring, and if so that will be the best bait to use. Use a 1/4 or
case need even a 1/2 oz egg sinker with
a swivel and a good two feet of line to a short shank hook (like a #4
steelhead hook). Pass the hook through the
back of your baitfish and drop it down. Some people say the baitfish will
actually seek the thermocline. You wll need something
to hold the line as your bail should be left open to permit the fish to run.
There is a little blue plastic gadget called
a strikeguard which is perfect for this task. There are others too, and case
need a rubber band well do.
Now just drift. If a trout sees your bait, the baitfish will usually let you
know as the tip of your rod will start bobbing
up and down as the baitfish starts to panic. Don't set the hook, wait till
the line starts peeling out and give it a bit of
time before setting the hook.
If you don't have a boat, pursuing trout on a large lake in the summer
months is a total waste of time. However
once fall comes and right through through spring, everything above goes out
the window because the trout will
be in shallow waters closer to shore and anything from casting spinners and
spoons to a worm under a float will catch them.
Spring shore fishing is the time to use those powerbaits and salmon eggs,
particularly on stockies.
Like you,. I do Sal****er fishing also and it's a completely different game.
Good Luck.