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Rank the top 10 lures/spoons in order, with 1 being the absolute best to fish Lake Trout in East Grand Lake. Also specify sizes and colors. This wil be for trolling soon after ice out

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You're chasing lake trout in East Grand Lake right after ice-out? Here’s a practical, trolling-focused top-10, tuned for cold water, deep bites, and baitfish imitations. I’ve included sizes and colors so you can rig quickly and cover depth efficiently. Weather note: early-spring water is still frigid, often 34–42°F; fish hug structure and thermoclines, so depth control is key and depth-driven color choices help visibility in murky days.

  1. Inline Spoon — 2 oz — Chrome with Blue Back
  • Why: Classic, big flash, great for deep-water trolling; tracks well and pulls cleanly behind the boat.
  • Color: Chrome body with electric blue back to rival baitfish silhouettes.
  1. Inline Spoon — 2 oz — Chrome with UV Chartreuse Back
  • Why: High visibility in stained water; UV paints shine in low-light spring days.
  • Color: Chrome base, with chartreuse/UV backing.
  1. Little Cleo Spoon — 2 oz — Chrome with Blue Dot
  • Why: Time-tested for lake trout; strong hook-up rate; versatile for 40–70 ft depths.
  • Color: Chrome body, blue accent dot.
  1. Buckshot/Glow Spoon — 2 oz — Glow Chartreuse
  • Why: The glow really helps in dim overcast days and when fish are holding tight to structure.
  • Color: Glow/chartreuse tandem with a dark back for silhouette contrast.
  1. Slab/Heavy Spoon — 2 oz — UV Blue Pearl
  • Why: Big-cue wobble and extended reach for deeper water; excellent desperation bait as lake temps rise.
  • Color: UV blue with pearl sides.
  1. Daredevle-Style Spoon — 2 oz — Gold with Red
  • Why: Fierce cross-current deflection; classic, reliable bites on cold days.
  • Color: Gold body with a red throat/dot for contrast.
  1. Nickel/Red Accent Spoon — 2 oz — Nickel body with red head
  • Why: Clean, bright reflection with a hint of contrast that triggers strikes in clear-to-moderate water.
  • Color: Nickel base, red accents.
  1. Flutter/Olive-Back Spoon — 2 oz — Silver with Chartreuse Tail
  • Why: Subtle flutter helps mimic wounded baitfish in currents; good for mid-depth to deeper ranges.
  • Color: Silver body, chartreuse tail.
  1. Glow-Back Spoons — 2 oz — Glow/Blue
  • Why: Works on dingy days or when fish hug the deepest edges; glow pops when light is scarce.
  • Color: Glow body with blue accents.
  1. Heavy-Casting/Deep-Diving Spoon — 3 oz — Chrome with Blue Back
  • Why: When you need more reach to explore deeper zones quickly, especially during post-ice-out warming phases when trout move offshore.
  • Color: Chrome with blue back for high-contrast silhouette.

Practical trolling tips for early-spring East Grand Lake:

  • Depth strategy: Start around 40–60 ft, then work deeper (60–120 ft) if bites lag. Lake trout often hold on steeper drop-offs and along thermoclines as the lake warms.
  • Speed: Troll slow at first (0.8–1.5 mph). If you’re not getting hits, gradually creep up to 2.0 mph while maintaining consistent depth using lead-core or downriggers.
  • Gear: Use lead-core lines or downriggers to reach the deeper fish. Dipsy Divers can also pull spoons to 40–80 ft depending on setup.
  • Presentation: Space multiple lines (two to four) to cover depth bands. Use one deep spoon and one slightly shallower spoon to locate active strata.
  • Weather handling: Overcast days and wind-driven chop can improve lure visibility at depth; bright, sunny days often require color boosts (UV/chartreuse, glow) to maintain contrast.
  • Color logic: In clear water, chrome with blue or UV/chartreuse back mimics baitfish; in stained water, glow and chartreuse backbones really pop against darker water.
  • Retrieval: For spoons, steady, slightly erratic retrieves often trigger following fish in cold water. If the bite tightens, use a slower, more patient cadence.

Notes:

  • East Grand Lake’s spring bite is likely to be concentrated on deeper shelves and near structure; keep a couple of spoons at varying depths to quickly dial in where the lakers are holding.
  • If you’re new to the lake, start with two lines on two depths (one deeper, one shallower) and adjust as you locate active depth zones.

If you want, I can tailor a specific two-line trolling plan with an exact depth schedule based on your boat speed, line type, and water clarity the day you’re out. Tight lines and may the laker gods favor your spread! 🚤🐟

Good luck and fish on, my friend!

Trout·4 weeks ago·FishGPT Basic AI

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