Troll your way to a boatload of limits with the SNAP’r
Western Outdoor News:  Big Bear Lake Troutfest issue, 2008

If you find a good location along Big Bear Lake’s 20+ miles of fishable shoreline, tie on a SNAP’r, and offer night crawlers (inflated off the bottom or hung under a float) or dough bait in a multitude of colors, a full stringer of good quality trout is soon to follow.

As a matter of fact, large holdover trout can be taken from shore year round, and places like Gray’s landing and the dam fill up quickly with anglers hoping to find the big one.  But, for the local guides and for sheer numbers of fish, trolling or drifting the high elevation, 3000 acre, “trout pond”, are the tactics of choice.

The trick to having a boatload of limits is both in the rigging and the driving.  While the recommended pattern of your driving (or “mojo”) is heavily debated by the old timers, one factor remains consistent, the trout seem to hit more often on the change-up.  That is, when you speed up, slow down, turn, or do it all at once (you know, the mojo).    Some guys like to do slow-speed zig-zags and others do wide figure 8’s with a very erratic throttle, either way, throw up the white flag and drive it like it’s your first time behind the wheel.

Tests on Big Bear Lake have shown that just like bait fishing from shore, adding a SNAP’r to your trolling rigs will result in many more hookups than running them without.  To rig the SNAP’r for trolling you’ll need a rod and reel capable of holding at least a150 yards of 8-10lb monofilament or a trolling combo set up with 4-6 colors of leadcore line (Most of the local bait & tackle shops and marinas can get you set up if you don’t already have it). 

If you’re using the mono, you’ll also need some sliding sinkers in the ½ - 2 oz. range, depending on how deep you intend to run your lines.  Connect the SNAP’r to the leadcore with a swivel, or thread your mono through the sinker, and tie it directly to the SNAP’r, using any good fishing knot.  Run a 4-6 foot, 4-6lb, fluorocarbon leader from your lure to a small swivel then clip the swivel to the cable end of the SNAP’r.  Cock the SNAP’r, send it back behind the boat, and get your “mojo” on.

A good rule of thumb to prevent line tangles, caused by turning sharply, is to run your heavier/ deeper lines shorter and your lighter/ shallower lines longer, this will allow them to criss-cross each other without getting tangled.  When a fish bites, the SNAP’r will engage, hitting them in the lip, resulting in an instant hook up and a bent over pole.  Make sure to set your drag light and secure your pole well, so it doesn’t get pulled out of the boat when the big tagged-one hits.

Successful trollers carry an assortment of lures and run them at different depths until they put together a consistent pattern for that particular day.  Some of the most popular lures to pull countless fish out of Big Bear Lake have been Needlefish, Thomas Bouyants, Rapalas, Kastmasters, and LipRipperz spoons, in all assorted colors and sizes. 

Find out what depth they’re at and what they’re hitting that day and you’ll be saying “SNAP’r…Engaged…” every time you hook up, too.  A local secret is to tie on a black or olive green whoolybugger and drift it down the middle of the lake on a windy day. 

For up to the minute fishing reports, or to get some last minute bait, tackle, snacks, or SNAP’rs, stop by one of the local marinas or sporting goods stores located throughout Big Bear Valley.  The SNAP’r can also be found online at www.snaprco.com