#25 – What Makes Fish Bite? Lure Design, Trolling Strategy & Northeast Troller with Christian Carlson

What actually makes fish bite? Why do fish hit one lure… and completely ignore another? If you’ve ever wondered why one lure works one day and not the next… this conversation will change how you think about fishing.

In this episode, Christian Carlson of Northeast Troller https://northeasttroller.com/discount/TTN breaks down the real factors behind what triggers fish to strike—from lure design and color patterns to trolling speed, presentation, and instinct. If you’re looking for trolling gear for trout and salmon — spoons, flashers, dodgers, down-rigger releases, live bait rigs, and more — Northeast Troller has you covered.

What does it take to turn a passion for fishing into a full-blown business? Joe Kruse, Rick Labbe, and Lee Libby sit down with Christian Carlson of Northeast Troller to talk about everything from growing up fishing across the country to building a successful lure company from the ground up.

This one is packed with insight, laughs, and real-world experience—from selling night crawlers as a kid to designing and testing trolling spoons that are now catching fish all over the Northeast.

If you’re into fishing, lure design, or just appreciate the grind of building something from nothing… this episode delivers.

🎣 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Christian got his start selling nightcrawlers as a kid
• The story behind building Northeast Troller
• What actually goes into designing a fishing lure
• The science behind spoon shapes, colors, and action
• Why some lures work one day… and not the next
• The truth about “hot” patterns and industry trends
• How small tweaks in speed and presentation change everything
• The process of hand-painting and building lures
• Why quality hooks and materials matter more than you think
• Real fishing stories, laughs, and behind-the-scenes moments

📌 Timestamps

0:00 Intro + welcome to the podcast
0:45 Supporting the channel + subscribe
2:30 Sponsors, merch & updates
4:40 Meet Christian Carlson (Northeast Troller)
6:30 Growing up fishing + early influences
8:00 Selling nightcrawlers as a kid
10:00 From aquaculture to lure building
12:00 How trolling spoons are made
14:30 Testing lure shapes & action
18:00 Color patterns & why they matter
22:00 Naming lures + industry trends
26:00 Patents, designs & competition
30:00 Custom lures & what actually works
33:00 Boat speed, presentation & fishing strategy
36:00 Behind the scenes of lure production
40:00 Hooks, materials & durability
44:00 What happens to lost lures?
46:00 Old-school lure origins & fishing history
End: Final thoughts & wrap up

💬 Let’s Hear From You

What’s your go-to lure or pattern that always produces?

Have you ever found something that just “works” no matter what?

Drop it below 👇

🌲 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle

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🤝 Sponsors & Partners

Northeast Troller

👉 https://northeasttroller.com/discount/TTN

💥 Use code TTN at checkout for 10% off your order.

If you’re looking for trolling gear for trout and salmon — spoons, flashers, dodgers, down-rigger releases, live bait rigs, and more — Northeast Troller has you covered.

STAGR Gear
Save 10% with code TTN
https://stagrgear.com

Walker Knife Co.
https://walkerknifeco.com

🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in working with us?
📧 info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com