One very important aspect of consistently catching big trout on Jocassee is to be quick with a GPS. Every angler I've fished with who consistently puts big trout in the boat on Jocassee carries some sort of GPS unit. When a fish strikes, the spot is instantly marked with the push of a button.

"I use my GPS numbers to keep track of where I'm catching fish every day I'm on the water," Page said. "That's extremely important. Once you have collected a batch of numbers, you'll notice that certain areas continually produce trout. The GPS numbers that lead you to those areas are invaluable. During April, when trout are on the move and after baitfish, GPS numbers that pinpoint recently marked pods of baitfish can definitely result in more hookups."

A high percentage of Jocassee anglers depend on live baits to put trout in their boats. Sloan says that many anglers will use both live baits and lures.

"Live shiners are what most fishermen use, but live blueback herring are what most prefer to use when they are available. At one particular tournament last year, I ordered 100 dozen herring. We sold out the day before the tournament began."

Russ Reynolds, a well-known Jocassee guide, said that knowing how to rig and fish live baits is important if you want to consistently catch big browns and 'bows. He prefers a 2- to 3-inch-long shiner. He'll run a No. 4 hook through the bottom and upper lips of the bait. Next, he'll use a small treble hook as a trailer. It's not unusual for trout to "gum" a minnow sideways. With a single hook you'll usually miss that type of strike.

Jones will normally use 2- or 3-inch minnows, and will rig them on a No. 1 circle hook. He'll fish them on the downriggers while free-lining another behind the boat about 150 feet back.

Essiks said he'll use live shiners or herring from 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches long. They are rigged on No. 4 short-shank stinger hooks.

"I use 4-pound-test line when fishing with live baits," Essiks said. "Free-lining live baits is one of my favorite tactics. I'll bump troll with the trolling motor. I'll also fish two live baits on the surface, and two on the downriggers. The rigger clips are set so light that I don't get a hookset when the line pops out. That gives the trout time to eat the bait."

Baitcasting rigs are preferred by most trout fishermen on Jocassee. Jones says he uses baitcasting reels that are spooled with 8-pound-test line. The reels are seated on 6- to 8-foot-long Shakespeare Ugly Sticks with a medium to medium/light action. He likes the Ambassadeur 5000 and 5500 reels. Page says he prefers to use Penn 920 baitcasting reels that are seated on Shakespeare Intrepid rods that are 8 1/2 feet long.

"I like a rod with a whippy tip," Page said. "I spool the reels with 10-pound-test line. But I'll use an 8-pound-test leader since the water is so clear. The line is attached to the leader with a No. 10 barrel swivel to prevent line twist."

For details on fishing at Lake Jocassee, or to get set up with a guide and the latest trout tournament dates, call (864) 944-9016 or go to www.hoyetts.com. The only public boat ramp on the lake is located at Devils Fork State Park, just down the road from Hoyett's Grocery and Tackle in Salem, S.C. For information on boat launching, cabin rentals and camping in the park, call (864) 944-2639 or go to www.southcarolinaparks.com.

You can reach guide Warren Page at (864) 346-1196.

Guide Sam Jones can be reached at (864) 350-9056.

Guide Russ Reynolds can be reached at (864) 638-7880.