mogdog10
07-14-2010, 01:57 AM
2) FIND THE THERMOCLINE
Anglers often overlook the value of the thermocline. Hands down, it’s one of the most important factors when looking to catch summer trout.
In any body of water, the thermocline is a zone of greatest temperature change. For those of us who aren’t scientists, all you need to know is the thermocline is a trout magnet. In summer, when surface temperatures can rise well above of 80 degrees, the thermocline is a sanctuary for trout because it harbors cooler water and food.
To elaborate, in the summer when the surface temperature might be 80 degrees throughout the first 15 feet of the water column, there’s a layer below the warm water. This layer is considered the middle layer -- or scientifically, the thermocline, that section of the water column that experiences a drastic drop in temperature. The thermocline is the smallest of the three layers in lakes, ponds and reservoirs, but will possess the widest range of temperature. The bottom layer harbors the coldest water and is consistent, like the upper layer. But the bottom layer doesn’t hold as many actively feeding trout as the thermocline does.
A thermocline develops in most lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the West. However, most of the time it doesn’t form until early to mid-summer as warmer water floats on top of the cold water. By mid-summer, that middle layer -- the thermocline -- becomes more visible and stands out as a greater fish-holding zone. Algae and other zooplankton hide out in this zone, while pond smelt, shad, minnows and other baitfish stay near the upper and lower layers of the thermocline. Baitfish and game fish are commonly found in the thermocline throughout the warmer months, partially because of ideal water temperatures and also because their food is here.
In summer, you’ll increase catch rates by trolling spoons, stickbaits, spinners and night crawlers through the thermocline. It’s also effective to drift salmon eggs, dough baits, worms, crickets and grasshoppers.
Locating the thermocline isn’t as challenging as it might seem. Most reservoirs take daily or weekly readings to keep track of it, and the officials often make their findings public. High-end fish finders can also indicate where the zone is. Your best bet may be to call local marinas, tackle shops and lake offices to ask how deep the thermocline is. Most can give you up-to-date information, which will help you catch more trout.
If you are a troller, you’ll probably need downriggers or lead-core line to fish the thermocline, which wanders from 30 to 150 feet or deeper, depending on water temperature, elevation, recent wind and weather patterns, the size of the lake or reservoir and its depth.
The thermocline can vary by week. From July through September, this will likely be the zone you’ll want to target for the best trout-fishing action.
When working the thermocline, experiment. Try running some lures near the top of it, others in the middle and a few towards the bottom. Once you discover where the fish are most active, then it’s safe to concentrate your efforts close to that depth.
More tips to follow...Tight Lines
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/mogdog10/DSCF1910-1.jpg
Anglers often overlook the value of the thermocline. Hands down, it’s one of the most important factors when looking to catch summer trout.
In any body of water, the thermocline is a zone of greatest temperature change. For those of us who aren’t scientists, all you need to know is the thermocline is a trout magnet. In summer, when surface temperatures can rise well above of 80 degrees, the thermocline is a sanctuary for trout because it harbors cooler water and food.
To elaborate, in the summer when the surface temperature might be 80 degrees throughout the first 15 feet of the water column, there’s a layer below the warm water. This layer is considered the middle layer -- or scientifically, the thermocline, that section of the water column that experiences a drastic drop in temperature. The thermocline is the smallest of the three layers in lakes, ponds and reservoirs, but will possess the widest range of temperature. The bottom layer harbors the coldest water and is consistent, like the upper layer. But the bottom layer doesn’t hold as many actively feeding trout as the thermocline does.
A thermocline develops in most lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the West. However, most of the time it doesn’t form until early to mid-summer as warmer water floats on top of the cold water. By mid-summer, that middle layer -- the thermocline -- becomes more visible and stands out as a greater fish-holding zone. Algae and other zooplankton hide out in this zone, while pond smelt, shad, minnows and other baitfish stay near the upper and lower layers of the thermocline. Baitfish and game fish are commonly found in the thermocline throughout the warmer months, partially because of ideal water temperatures and also because their food is here.
In summer, you’ll increase catch rates by trolling spoons, stickbaits, spinners and night crawlers through the thermocline. It’s also effective to drift salmon eggs, dough baits, worms, crickets and grasshoppers.
Locating the thermocline isn’t as challenging as it might seem. Most reservoirs take daily or weekly readings to keep track of it, and the officials often make their findings public. High-end fish finders can also indicate where the zone is. Your best bet may be to call local marinas, tackle shops and lake offices to ask how deep the thermocline is. Most can give you up-to-date information, which will help you catch more trout.
If you are a troller, you’ll probably need downriggers or lead-core line to fish the thermocline, which wanders from 30 to 150 feet or deeper, depending on water temperature, elevation, recent wind and weather patterns, the size of the lake or reservoir and its depth.
The thermocline can vary by week. From July through September, this will likely be the zone you’ll want to target for the best trout-fishing action.
When working the thermocline, experiment. Try running some lures near the top of it, others in the middle and a few towards the bottom. Once you discover where the fish are most active, then it’s safe to concentrate your efforts close to that depth.
More tips to follow...Tight Lines
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/mogdog10/DSCF1910-1.jpg