Cranberry lake browns....tips?

[Bscman]

Planning on spending tomorrow morning/mid-day at Cranberry Lake tomorrow (deception pass)...

I'll be fishing from the shore, and am hoping to snag a brown or two--never caught one out of Cranberry.
I've pulled a couple hold-over rainbows from the dock (powerbait) in recent weeks, but can't recally EVER catching a brown on powerbait.

Just wondering if anyone cared to share some tips or hot-spots that might better my chances.

I will be releasing the fish if possible. I will be using spinning gear.

Thanks

[big fish lite line]

I found the best lure for that lake is a size cd03 or preferably size cd05 fire tiger colored countdown rapala.I went out there before they planted it and caught 6 browns all between 12 and 15in trolling fast around the middle of the lake. If you cannot troll just cast it out and let it sink for a few seconds then reel it in with an erratic retrieve. remember to fish the early morning. the browns are beautifully best of luck to ya!

[big fish lite line]

I forgot to mention the fish don't bite on spinners much. also I witnesses a 20in brown caught and released by my friend who was using a f5 frog colored flatfish

[Dave]

I have the next 3 days off and also plan to fish Cranberry. They planted thousands of 8 inch browns last year and because of the light pressure the lake gets, I am guessing most are still there and bigger. I have also caught them in the middle as mentioned by big fish lite line which is where I catch lots of rainbow. From shore along the road, you will be fishing the deepest part of the lake, about 20 to 24 feet if I remember correctly. I'm sure they are in there my guess is they will be deep but big fish lite line may have better info on that, and I would also recommend a Rapala. I have heard they run to around 6 pounds in this lake but unfortunately I haven't personally confirmed it. Good luck. I look forward to your report.

[Bscman]

Well...no browns....no ANYTING, actually!
I'll take the blame, though...I ended up taking care of a few other things first, so I didn't make it to the lake until nearly 9:00 this morning.

Tried a few rapalas, rooster tails, and spoons from the shore but gave up once the wind picked up....
I switched to a slip bobber fishing ~8-11 feet deep and had a few nibbles. I haven't fished with a bobber for years! It was fun watching it dip under the surface!

Took a break for lunch and snuck back with some powerbait. Nada.
A gentleman with a ~12ft aluminum was trolling about 150yds off the shore from me, and pulled in two that I saw--only action on the lake!

I closed out the day with a short hike around Heart Lake, and got a line wet for ~40 minutes....brought in (and released) two LITTLE 'bows. Watched a little kid and his dad play with an RC boat. Nearly got attacked by a squirrel.

Still a good day!
Might try and make it back out Sunday evening or some time monday...

[fishing collector]

I read an article on trout and it mentioned that Rainbows like silver lures with pink,green,red .......Brown Trout like gold colors with more natural muted colors...... and Brook trout like copper and a little blue or green. Brown trout are ambush type of fish. They will feed along dropoffs close to shore where insects may get blown into the water during the afternoon winds. They also bite on air pumped worms and rapelas, rebels, etc. They like to ambush food. Good luck.

[Dave]

That was me in the Smokercraft. I ended up playing 10 fish, had 5 on that spit the hook and landed five for the table; one was 16 inches and fought great. I waived to you as I drove past you leaving but wasn’t sure if you noticed. I didn't know you were a member at the time or I would have stopped to chat. I also replied to your comment in my fishing report. I will likely be there again Saturday morning. It was nearly non stop bites over the hour and a half I was on the lake. Great fishing.

[Bscman]

I was wondering if it was you out there on the lake, as you mentioned having a few days off. Given your avatar, I was inclined to think it WASN'T you, or I woulda shouted. It looks like the boat in your avy is green.

I'm a little bummed they tore out the floating dock...I fished off that little 12x12 dozens of times, and caught my share of fish. I was in pretty rough shape, though.
I was waiting for them to tow the thing right over your line!

If I see ya out there again, I'll be sure to shout. You'll know it's me if the stranger is wearing a dark blue ball cap that is so faded and stained it shoulda been thrown out years ago. :thumleft:

[Dave]

The avatar pic is me in my Hewescraft which I use in the sound and some of the larger lakes. I fished there again today. Caught 5 RB but it took me 3 hours to do so. They were biting every 5 or 10 minutes but just mouthing it so it was hard to hook them. I didn't mention it in my report for today's trip but I started out using a fly (olive woolly bugger) and had several strikes but no hook-ups. So after about 40 minutes I changed to the Dick Nite that I always use there and that did the trick over the next 2 hours or so. Very nice there today. If you see me again Bscman, give me shout. I also fish Heart often. I work Sun through Wed with Thurs, Fri, and Sat off so those would be the days I would be out there. Hope to see you.

Dave

[clam man]

I had some great fishing up there for RB using a small spinnerbait last month. Me and another guy boated about 30 in four hours just casting them out and slower retrieve (enough to keep the blade spinning) just little blue fox flash inline spinners. They sell them at the Oak Harbor walmarche.

Didn't try a Rap though, I think in all of that we caught one Brown which was really pretty, but didn't realize at the time what it was because we didn't know they were in the lake.

[cavdad45]

Try a Panther Martin near the flooded and downed timber, as well as the lily pad edges.