Otsego Lake 8/30 - no luck!

[seanc25]

Gave Otsego Lake a try from the launch in Cooperstown yesterday afternoon.  Ran two wire dipseys with spoons (tried multiple color combos) out anywhere from 80' to 250' in depths of 30' to 120' of water.  Also ran diving Rapalas (red & blue) down the center.  Also tried a smaller diver setup down about 30' in the center.  All with no luck.  Started at point Judith then ran the right side of the Lake up to Point Florence, then hit up 3 mile Point on the way back.  Not one strike.  We are new to trolling and this was our first time running wire on dipseys so any pointers would be appreciated.  Tried to maintain a trolling speed of 1.5-2mph but difficult using trolling motor and main outboard.

 

Thanks guys.

[seanc25]

Does anyone have any thoughts? I apologize for the newbie routine.

Sean

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[Nautitroller]

Try Cayuga or Seneca.   Couple of my buddies fish Otsego they catch a few nice lakers but thats low and slow, find bottom in 75 to 120 fow and you may hit the lakers..     Deeper

[seanc25]

Great thanks! Any idea what theyve had luck with (spoons flies etc)?

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[Outdoorsman]

Otsego can be hit or miss, but it can be good if you hit it right.  Bring along some jigging stuff.  If you are marking fish on the bottom in 60-150 feet of water, jig for lake trout.  We've had good success on Otego, along with Cayuga and Owasco while vertical jigging.  I usually use a 1 ounce jighead tipped with a paddletail or fluke style plastic, and spoons such as crippled herrings and buckshot rattle spoons work well too.

 

Basically, try to keep the boat still so that you are fishing vertical (if it is windy, it helps to have a drift sock or bucket, trolling motor, or just kick the big motor into gear now and then).  Good enough electronics can show the jig drop, along with fish that are "chasing" it.  What a blast when multiple lake trout are streaking toward a jig...if they don't hit it while jigging down there, crank it in almost as fast as you can reel and you will be surprised how many hit it on the way up (sometimes very close to the boat, even when the water is hot). 

[seanc25]

Thank you I will pick that stuff up and give it a go.

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[panfisher]

It is tough to beat jigging up lakers off the bottom! Their fighting ability really comes through on mid-light tackle. And when you can get in on a relatively calm day, it's great. Use your electronics to see them. Even if you don't mark them on the bottom, some may very well be there under any suspended marks. Braid or flouro works good for the deep water feel on the bottom. Outdoorsman is right about weight (at least 3/4 oz).....and any soft plastic body; grubtails, swimbaits, crawdads....they'll all work. Heavy spoons work well too.....

Edited September 5, 2013 by panfisher

[guff]

On jigging in the wind. While drifting, try casting your jig downwind far enough such that it hits bottom near the back of the boat (under the transducer). Jig on the bottom a couple of times then reel up fast or slow, whichever the trout want that day. If you have the right setup, you can see your jig and the attacking Lake Trout on your screen. Start reeling in just before the trout gets to your jig. Definitely a blast.