Hit east soon after ice out, could be any time from early may until june. We have had excellent luck in mid to late june when the chubs become very active along the east shoreline as well.
We have done really well rip trolling rapala type lures in silver/black or gold/black, I like the size 13 floater the best for this type of fishing. Troll at a moderately fast speed giving the rod sweeping forward movements with your arm to simulate a darting, fleeing bait fish. In 4-5 hours of fishing I might do this several hundred times, it's a workout! This action can really trigger those browns. We have also done well with flatfish type lures or crankbaits trolled along the steeper, rockier shorelines such as the north shoreline. We have done the best fishing 10-20 ft of water in east for the bigger browns. From the cliffs to the red fissure we troll within a few feet of the shore trying to cover as much rock structure as we can. The west edge of East can be good at times and is the most protected from the wind. My favorite area to fish is the east shoreline weed beds where lots of big browns cruise that 10-20 ft. depth looking for chubs, fequently you will see them on the surface chasing baitfish early or late if it's calm.
My oldest son with a nice early season brown. He's in college now so this pic is a few years old! :lol: