By Okuma® Staff

Few things get anglers more fired up than a screaming drag on a crisp Great Lakes morning, and late summer through early fall is prime time to hook into big kings and cohos. These fish are on the move—aggressive, territorial, and ready to bite. But to maximize your time on the water and turn strikes into hookups, it’s essential to have the right tools and techniques.

Whether you’re a seasoned troller or new to the salmon game, having purpose-built gear and a dialed-in presentation makes all the difference. That’s where the new Okuma Diamond Elite Trolling Rods come in.

The Right Rods for Great Lakes Trolling

Trolling for salmon puts gear to the test. You need rods that are sensitive enough to show lure action and subtle strikes, but with the backbone to handle a 25+ pound king rocketing behind the boat.

The Okuma Diamond Elite Trolling Rods are engineered specifically for the demands of Great Lakes salmon fishing. Available in both downrigger and diver models, these rods offer premium graphite composite construction for sensitivity, strength, and durability. They’re designed to pair perfectly with both braid and wire setups, and their crisp actions make them a dream to fish with whether you're running boards, divers, or riggers.

Match them up with the Okuma Convector A Series Line Counter Reels for precision depth control or go with the Convector Levelwind and Wire Line Reels when pulling divers in deep water. These reels are built tough with upgraded drags, corrosion-resistant frames, and proven reliability on the big water.

Trolling Rigs That Work

When targeting late summer and fall salmon staging near harbors, river mouths, or running deep offshore, diversity in your spread is key. Here are a few proven setups:

• Flasher/Fly Combos: A classic choice. Use an 8" or 11" flasher with a matching fly (green/glow, white/blue, or UV colors) behind a dipsy diver or downrigger. Ideal leader length is 18–24".
• Meat Rigs: For mature fish that want a big, oily meal, nothing beats a herring strip or whole baitfish rigged behind a big paddle or rotating flasher.
• Spoons: UV and glow spoons like the Dreamweaver SS or Moonshine series are deadly at first light and dusk. Troll them on long leads off downriggers or on weighted steel lines.
• Plugs: For staging salmon in shallow water, Magnum plugs like J-Plugs or Ace-Hi plugs in glow or silver/chartreuse patterns trigger vicious strikes.

Late Season Trolling Tips

1. Follow the Thermocline – Salmon love cold water. Use your electronics to find the thermocline and keep your baits running just above it.
2. Speed Matters – Trolling speeds between 2.2 and 2.8 mph are a good range, but don't be afraid to adjust depending on what the fish respond to. Use a Fish Hawk or similar speed/temp probe at the ball for accuracy.
3. Change Up Colors – Cloudy mornings call for brighter or glow finishes. As the sun rises, switch to natural or UV patterns.
4. Run a Spread – Use a variety of presentations at different depths and distances. Lead core, copper, wire divers, and riggers all have their place in a solid salmon spread

Final Thoughts

Trolling the Great Lakes for salmon in late summer and fall is one of the most electrifying experiences in freshwater fishing. But to do it right, you need serious gear and smart strategy.

With Okuma Diamond Elite Trolling Rods paired with Convector A Series Line Counter or Wire Line Reels, you’ll have the performance, precision, and toughness you need to stay in the zone—and put more salmon in the box.

Find your setup today at your favorite retailer or visit okumafishingusa.com for more.

#OkumaFishing #GreatLakesSalmon #SalmonTrolling #DiamondEliteRods #ConvectorReels