question about cowbells

[mnfishingal]

Last summer when I was fishing on a small, stocked trout lake and not having much luck, a fellow fisher-person who was having luck shared with me that he was having success trolling using cowbells. He said that the trout are attracted to the flash of the blades. I was wondering if someone could explain how these work - how do you attach them to your line, what other gear do you need, what has been your experience, etc.

Thanks!

[troutmaster]

Post deleted by troutmaster

[jerkin'm]

cowbells are an inline trolling spinner rig...they can be found at most of the bigger fishing stores. You need a stout rod and line as they have a lot of drag to them. Usually a bait or spoon is pulled behind the spinner arangement. They do work fairly well in a stocked trout lake situation. I have had luck with them in the spring on bigger northern trout waters. There is a rig called a "flashlight troll" or something similar that has a mylar/plastic type blade that doesn't have quite the drag of the big blades.

[traveler]

Troutmaster, why do you say the guy was full of it?? Cowbells work well, especially during the summer when the trout go deeper. Are you sure you're a troutmaster??? Mnfishgal; as mentioned, you need a hevier rod to pull cowbells. They come in a number of types and sizes, check out the Luhr Jensen HSOforum as they make lots of them. We usually troll a standard crawler harness about 18 inches behind the bell, but sometimes use small rapalas and other artificials if we don't have bait. It's pretty much a "meat" fishing technique; unless you hit a big fish the bells put up as much of a fight as a 12 inch fish! They work very well for splake in the summer.

[bigdog]

The mylar bladed model is by Mack's Lures in Oregon or Washington. You can troll the the smaller blade version with a medium/heavy action spinning rod.

[ruster]

I have had great success using cowbells in the Bemidji area trout lakes. Use my linecounter reel to find the right depth and just troll around the lake using the bowmount electric. Rig an 18" mono leader with a plain hook and crawler behind the trolling rig. Cabelas always has a nice selection of different makes and sizes.

[DEADhead]

if you stop over at L&M Fleet or Quality bait in Detroit Lakes, you should be able to pick up some cowbells on the way to the lake.

[troutmaster]

oh sorry guys i was thinking of an actual cowbell lol geez i'm dumb

i'll have to give them a try this year

[nate larson]

I gotta have more cowbell!

[mnfishingal]

Thanks for all of the responses. You guys are GREAT! I am hoping to try it out a time or two this summer when the fish have moved into deeper water. Thanks again.

[traveler]

Troutmaster; that is SO funny!! Couldn't figure out what you meant. No worries. Bells really aren't that much fun to fish, but if nothing else is working...

[hawghunter001]

Hey they say noise attracts fish, that would just be a big rattle rap right

[snoozebutton]

Quote:

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oh sorry guys i was thinking of an actual cowbell lol geez i'm dumb

i'll have to give them a try this year

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I was too and I was thinking maybe they're tying a trailer hook to it. Good thing I read through this thread, could you imagine me going out there with a big ol' cowbell tied to my line? zzzzzzzzzzzzzing................KAAASPLOOSH.