question about trolling plugs w/downriggers

[bulletbob]

 First off, I am NOT much of  a troller.. Never was, never will be probably, but I want to  learn a little about it.. I bought 2 like new Canon mini downriggers at a yard sale for $1 each last year.. I   really have no interest in trolling any deeper than about 50 feet or so. I typically jig in deep water say  70+ feet..  I can figure out the riggers/releases etc, but I am not really set up right now with trolling spoons.. I had  boxes full of them in every color and style, and swapped most of them for salt water gear.. Over the years I have caught some nice browns and landlocks on flat lines in shallow water, in spring, which to me is more fun than deep trolling.. I have always used various stickbaits, and  have had some success over the years.. I can scare up a few trolling spoons , but the  variety is pretty overwhelming.. I may ask  for a few pointers for a half dozen "essentials" later on as the time gets closer..

Right now my question is this.. Are the stickbaits I have used in  the past at Cayuga  for salmon and browns in water under 20 feet an effective  lure when trolled say at 40-50 feet when the  "silver fish" start going deeper in June??.. I always see guys in the reports  talking about the hot new spoons they used and cleaned up with, but never see guys say.. "we killed them on a Silver/black Rapalas "..  Do these very effective shallow water trolling plugs suddenly become worthless when using downriggers??... I have them by the hundreds in every color and size, but if they don't catch fish when deep trolled, I will have to do what everyone  else does, and learn how to choose and use trolling spoons.. Any thoughts would be appreciated... bob

[alex1young]

I love using stickbaits. Be it a flat line or behind a rigger, they catch fish.

[Lunchbox]

Work well on a rigger, flat line, or planer boards.

[steelydan]

Can't go wrong with sticks. Colors may be a little different but you will get it

[bulletbob]

  If you guys would be so kind to answer a few more questions....  How about color choices  in  lets say the 25-50 foot range?.. After the fleas get fierce, I won't be doing any  trolling..  In mid summer  I typically jig for lakers, maybe fish   shallow water for perch, smallmouths, sunnies etc, or  often just fish salt water. So most of my trolling would be in water under 50-60 feet. [ I have good  color fish finders that can show me where to start as far as  lure depth].. When l fish Cayuga there  always seemed to be good numbers of fish under 60 feet all summer actually. Close to the sawbellies f course.

Are basic colors effective?.. Silver/Black, Gold, Chartreuse, Shad colors etc..?.. Also would appreciate a few   "getting started" colors  and sizes for spoons.. I have some, but most are probably beat, perhaps I can apply some prism tape, or buy a half dozen proven colors, its no biggie.. I just don't want a bunch of  stuff laying around thats only useful under very unusual  water/weather conditions  that I wouldn't understand anyway. Really just want to give myself a little better chance at catching a few silver fish this year as an option to laker jigging..
  If I won't be fishing deeper that say 60 feet, how light a ball can I use?.. 6 pounds?/.. lighter?...  I suck at trolling, please bear with me.!... bob

[Storm Warning II]

Shallow divers can also be run effectively behind divers and most plugs work well with lead core and drop weights

Edited February 27, 2016 by Storm Warning II

[TyeeTanic]

We generally move to spoons and definitely flies which we feel are more effective. Not saying plugs won't work but flies work better. If it's slow then we might put a plug on to see.

[steelydan]

Get ahold of Bobby fuller, he can put a spoon pack together for you tailored to your needs. You won't be disappointed.