General

Here are some of the key fishing methods:

Trolling

Technique

Tackle & Equipment

For shallower trolling (e.g. when trout are feeding nearer to the surface in cooler climate), use light tackle such as a light spinning or spin casting rod and reel combination. Conventional bait casting tackle can also be used. Use 6 to 10 pound monofilament line, depending on targeted trout size.

Rigging

A typical trolling rig comprises:

Use larger flasher/rudder units for murky water or deep trolling. If line twist is not a problem, you can omit the swivels and/or rudder.

Deep Trolling

Especially in warmer climate conditions, you will need to troll deeper. Use one of the following methods:

Use leadcore trolling line on a good-sized conventional reel such as a medium Penn freshwater reel with level wind. A leadcore line sinks at about a 45º angle (so a 50 foot line, for example, will provide a 25 foot trolling depth). You can use the full trolling rig shown above with the leadcore attached to the bottom hole of the rudder.

Use a downrigger, especially if you need to go to depths of 30 feet or more. Attach the fishing line to the downrigger weight. Release enough fishing line to put the rig about 50-200 feet from the rear of the boat. Let the downrigger take your trolling rig down to the desired depth (they are equipped with depth counters). When the fish strikes, the line releases from the downrigger and allows you to play and then land the fish.

Use a diving plane. With your boat moving at 2-4 knots (2-5 miles per hour), lower the terminal tackle into the water, check for lure action, then let out about 50-100 feet of line (about 25-40 pulls of line). This puts the hook at about 15-20 feet deep. Turn on the reel clicker and set the drag just tight enough to hold the line. Place the rod in a holder. The singing drag will signal a bite and the pull of the fish will   open the diving plane, allowing the fish to rise up and fight. Maintain the boat's trolling speed to avoid line slack and unhooking your catch. Place your landing net from the front, forward and under your fish.

Trolling a Fly

If you see trout rising up in the lake to feed on insects, you might want to consider trolling a fly. Tell-tale signs might be water drop rings on the surface of the lake near the shore, especially in the evenings during summer.

Tie a fly to the end of a 4 to 6 pound monofilament line rigged on a spinning rod and reel. Let out about 100 feet of line and slow troll through the fedding area.

Bait Fishing

Technique

Tackle & Equipment

Use light tackle such as a light spinning or spin casting rod and reel combination.

Bait & Rigging

The most popular is the sliding sinker rig.

A sliding sinker is preferred over a fixed sinker since, when the trout picks up the bait, the bait must move freely otherwise the trout senses the drag and drops the bait.

A wide variety of bait can be used:

Casting

Technique

This is a popular option for fishing from the shore.

Use a small snap swivel at the end of your main line to attach a casting spoon or spinner.

Cast up the lure as far as you can and let it settle to the desired retrieve depth, then retrieve slowly. Also vary the pace of your retrieve to imitate real baitfish.

Lure

The best spoons imitate small bait fish. Silver and gold colored lures in the 1/16 to 1/4 ounce range are good. Popular brands include Kastmasters, Roostertails, Phoebes, and Mepps Spinners.

Tackle & Equipment

Use a light spinning or spin casting rod with two-hand grip and sensitive tip. Spinning reels or bait casting reels should hold about 200 yards of 4-6 lb monofilament line.

Other Equipment

Best Bets

For a quick and easy trout fishing outing, you can pop over to San Francisco's Lake Merced. Both the North and South Lakes are planted at least once a month, with the North Lake planted as often as weekly. You can employ trolling, bait fishing or casting here. State fishing licenses and park daily fishing permits are required.

You can fish for trout all year round at Lake Berryessa. During summer and early fall, you can fish using downrigger trolling, and the rest of the year, surface trolling, bait fishing and casting work well. You can also fish from shore from mid-November to early spring around Cappell Cove through to Pope Creek on the western shore.

Nearby Lake Chabot just east of San Leandro is reasonably well stocked with rainbow trout for shore fishing or trolling. Private boats are not permitted, but rentals are available. Del Valle Lake near Livermore is also restocked regularly and good for shore fishing or trolling. For information on either lake, you can call the East Bay Regional Park District at (510) 881-1833.

Venturing further out of the San Francisco Bay Area, other good trout fishing lakes include:

Lake Shasta, Lake Almanor, Lake Don Pedro, and Folsom Lake are also popular for king salmon trolling.