your top 5 salmon trolling lures

[Brettski]

I just bought my first boat, it is in super shape, I was going to go with a 16 ft smokercraft, but decided to go with an 18.5 lund tyee 1850, it comes with boards, riggers, and all the gear for trolling, so it looks like when I'm not tied up in the weeds fishing for bass I'll try my luck at trolling for salmon and trout on Lake Champlain. What I would like to know is your "choice" top 5 lures (spoons, flies, doggers, streamers...etc.)for salmon and trout....whether it's color, brand, or anything else I'd appreciate the input (pictures would be helpful, or links to pictures). Thanks!

[Redneck75]

J-Plugs or Krocodiles in the Ocean...usually in a silver or silver/blue finish. Kwikfish or Magnum Tadpollys or Magnum Hotshots in the rivers. I would think the plugs/spoons we use in the ocean would work pretty good in the big lakes. I'll find out when I move to Great Lakes, IL here in a few months I guess.

[Orygun]

A #5 blade Vibrax for coho.

[Redneck75]

Your post got me thinking and I've been checking around the net the last couple days. It seems like a big majority of the Salmon fishermen in the Great Lakes area seem to like the Michigan Stinger spoons out in deep water (behind down-riggers down deep) and they like flashy flies behind dipsey divers when the salmon move close to shore. I knew there would be differences between Northwest Salmon fishing and the Great Lakes but it looks like I'll have a bit to learn! That's what makes it fun.

[Brettski]

I'll have to agree 100% trial and error, thanks for the info on the Great Lakes

[betelgeuse]

This is my experience in the ocean in Cali. might or might not apply

Apex
Krocodile ( have to troll a little faster )
Flasher and Hoochie
Flasher and fresh baitfish rigged to spin ( anchovy, herring, sardine or local baifish )
Baitfish rigged to spin / no flasher sometimes works better ( clear water )
Plug

replace any treble hooks with siwash hooks, you will lose less fish
try to match the size of what they are eating


Good luck, have fun !

[reno17]

Pacific ocean--apex with echip, watermelon crocodile
great lakes--chart. northport nailer