i just figured out that there are trout plants where im going campin, so i should take my trout plugs, but where would i throw them? i have castaic trout, stocker, and like 3 ospreys all in rainbow assorted colors. i have caught bass from a boat on the big plugs, but i have never tried from shore. also yes i would be very satisfied fishing for raibbows, as this will mostly be a first time for me fishing in a lake for trout. someone said minnows under a slip bobber about where the thermocline is, so if i could find out the thermocline, that would be good? another person said roostertails over rocky banks
-patrick

Minnows, where legal, under a bobber can be fun if you are a bait angler interested in rainbows but you will need local information about the thermocline. (I have only used slip bobbers in deep water from a boat). Yes, roostertails are another good choice. If you fish early enough in the morning or at sunset you may see rainbows at or near the surface. You can cast lures for them at that time or fish minnows shallow using a standard fixed bobber.

The more experienced bigbait bass anglers may tell you that you can loose a lot of expensive big trout-imitation lures fishing structure from shore. If you find bassy structure you can try less expensive bass lures. For example, a trout color Big Hammer swimbait might get hungup less often in structure when fished from shore because it has a single hook atop the lure.

Good luck.

It is well known that brown trout and stripers can identify the sound of the hatchery truck coming down the ramp and the noise of the fish getting planted. If the trout get planted on a timely schedule, the browns will be cruising the marina area waiting for lunch. It's gonna be a real crap shoot trying to get them to go in the middle of summer though. Try throwing the big baits in the vicinity of the area the trout are planted. Get a boat by all means though,you will greatly increase your odds. Ya, if you get a boat, find that thermocline - that is right where you will find the lakers. Lake trout are basically known as a cold water trout but they will venture into very shallow and very warm water for brief feeding periods. That is where that thermocline comes in handy.The lake trout will feed on the edge of it. You will need a good graph to find it though. 3 weeks ago I was in Canada at lake of the woods in Ontario; the lake trout were gorging themselves on perch that were in 5 feet of water spawning. We were fishing this ledge that drops off from 5 feet to 85 feet deep. We would watch on the graph the school of lakers move up ever so gradually and before you know it they were back down in 85 feet of water. The lakers were 8 - 31 lbs apiece and were spitting up 8-10 inch perch ! The perch were spawning in 68 degree water. The location was textbook - shallow water with deep water nearby. You know if you want to catch trout,any size trout that is - bring your normal sized assortment of rapalas. F5&7's,J7 - in black & silver,gold & black and orange & gold. I guess you could buy the basic countdown rapalas and roostertails too. Shore fishing a lake with browns and lakers is gonna be hard on trying to get them, I would target the rainbows based on the no boat situation. If you want to do some trolling for trout with me let me know. e-mail - muskyman73@hotmail.com