Learn how to rig, troll, and fish the Rocky Mountain Tackle Bill Fish to catch more trout and kokanee.
The Bill Fish is one of those lures that can make a big difference when you’re trolling for trout and kokanee. Its unique design combines a small squid body with a plastic bill that creates an erratic, darting action in the water. When fish are actively feeding, that action can be difficult to resist.
But like any fishing lure, getting the most out of a Bill Fish Squids comes down to knowing how to rig it, choosing the right trolling speed, finding the right depth, and making adjustments when the fish aren’t cooperating.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about fishing a Rocky Mountain Tackle Bill Fish Squid, including recommended dodger combinations, trolling techniques, bait and scent options, and tips for targeting both trout and kokanee.
What Is a Rocky Mountain Tackle Bill Fish Squid?
The Rocky Mountain Tackle Bill Fish Squid is a 1.75-inch squid-style trolling lure designed for trout and kokanee fishing.
What makes it different from a traditional squid lure is the small plastic bill attached to the front. As the lure moves through the water, the bill causes it to dart back and forth, creating an erratic swimming action.
This unpredictable movement helps imitate the behavior of small baitfish or other forage and can trigger aggressive strikes from feeding trout and kokanee.
The Bill Fish is particularly productive during the summer months, when trout and kokanee are actively feeding and often willing to chase a faster-moving presentation.
When Is the Best Time to Fish a Bill Fish Squid?
The Bill Fish Squid is my go to lure for trout year round and it can catch fish throughout the entire fishing season, but it is especially productive during the middle of summer.
For kokanee, late June through August is an excellent time to have a Bill Fish in your trolling spread. July and August are often particularly productive.
During this time of year, don’t be afraid to experiment with faster trolling speeds. The Bill Fish is designed to create an aggressive, erratic action, and fish will often chase it down.
It can be used in a variety of water conditions and is worth trying whenever trout or kokanee are actively feeding.
How to Rig a Bill Fish Squid
One of the most important parts of fishing a Bill Fish is getting the rigging right.
We recommend fishing the Bill Fish behind a 4.25″ or 5.5″ Signature Dodger. While it can be fished without one, pairing it with a dodger is our preferred setup and a great place to start.
A dodger adds additional movement to your presentation and creates an effective combination with the Bill Fish’s erratic action.
Recommended Bill Fish Setup
Rocky Mountain Tackle Bill Fish Squids come ready to fish with:
- 14-pound fluorocarbon-coated monofilament leader
- Two red size #4 Rocky Mountain Tackle Octopus Hooks
- Snelled hook configuration
When fishing behind a dodger, use a leader measuring 20–30 inches between the dodger and the Bill Fish.
This gives the lure room to work behind the dodger while maintaining a compact trolling presentation.
Should You Use a Dodger?
Our recommendation is to fish a dodger with your Bill Fish whenever possible. However, you can also fish the Bill Fish without a dodger.
If you’re just getting started, begin with a dodger and Bill Fish combination. Once you understand how the lure performs, experiment with fishing it by itself to see how the fish respond.
Best Trolling Speed for a Bill Fish
One of the biggest advantages of the Bill Fish is its ability to produce at a relatively wide range of trolling speeds.
We recommend starting between 1.5 and 2.7 MPH.
Don’t get stuck thinking you have to troll slowly to catch trout or kokanee. The Bill Fish has an erratic action that can trigger strikes when fish are willing to chase.
In fact, the Bill Fish can produce at speeds up to 3 MPH.
Use S-Turns to Find the Right Speed
One of our favorite ways to figure out what speed the fish want is to make wide S-turns while trolling.
As your boat turns, the speed of your fishing lines naturally changes:
- Outside lines speed up.
- Inside lines slow down.
Pay attention to which side of the boat gets bites. If the outside lines are producing, the fish may prefer a faster presentation. If the inside lines are getting hit, they may want something slower.
Once you start getting bites, adjust your trolling speed to match what the fish are responding to.
Pro tip: If you’re not getting bites, try changing your speed before completely changing your lure selection.
How Deep Should You Fish a Bill Fish?
Finding the right depth is just as important as choosing the right speed.
When targeting trout or kokanee, we recommend running your Bill Fish approximately 2.5 feet above the fish you’re targeting.
This is a good starting point whether you’re fishing with downriggers or using weighted lines.
If you’re marking fish on your fish finder, pay attention to where those fish are suspended and position your lure just above them.
For additional help choosing lure colors based on fishing depth, check out our guide:
Best Kokanee Lure Colors by Depth
Don’t Forget About Your Distance Behind the Boat
Another important part of fishing a Bill Fish is how far behind the boat you’re running it.
We recommend running your Bill Fish at least 100 feet behind the boat, whether you’re using downriggers or long-line clip style weights.
This is especially important when targeting feeding trout. Getting your lure farther away from the boat helps create a longer presentation.
For kokanee, long setbacks can be less critical, but they are still worth experimenting with.
Best Dodger and Bill Fish Color Combinations
Choosing the right color combination can make a big difference when targeting trout and kokanee.
Here are four combinations we recommend starting with.
Best Bill Fish Combinations for Kokanee
1. Kokanee Pink UV Hyper + Double Glow Pink Bill Fish
- Dodger: Rocky Mountain Tackle Kokanee Pink UV Hyper
- Dodger SKUs: 79134 / 79169
- Bill Fish: 79920 Double Glow Pink
Pink is a great starting point when targeting kokanee. This combination pairs the Kokanee Pink UV Hyper dodger with the Double Glow Pink Bill Fish for a coordinated presentation.
2. UV Green Moonshine + Double Glow Caribbean Bill Fish
- Dodger: Rocky Mountain Tackle UV Green Moonshine
- Dodger SKUs: 79432 / 79193
- Bill Fish Squid: 79928 Double Glow Caribbean
This combination gives anglers another option when targeting kokanee. Try it alongside your pink setup to see which color the fish prefer.
Best Bill Fish Combinations for Trout
3. Silver and Gold 50/50 + Mojo Melon Bill Fish
- Dodger: 4.25-inch Silver and Gold 50/50
- Dodger SKU: 79126
- Bill Fish Squid: 79931 Mojo Melon
The Silver and Gold 50/50 dodger paired with the Mojo Melon Bill Fish is one of our recommended trout combinations.
4. Pink and Lime 50/50 + Double Glow Wolzanator Bill Fish
- Dodger: Pink and Green 50/50
- Dodger SKU: 79130
- Bill Fish Squid: 79942 Double Glow Wolzanator
This combination provides another option for anglers targeting trout. If one presentation isn’t producing, try switching to a different color combination.
Should You Use Bait or Scent With a Bill Fish?
Absolutely! Adding bait and scent is another way to customize your Bill Fish Squid presentation.
One combination we recommend is using Berkley Gulp! Pink Maggots with Rocky Mountain Tackle SockeyeSlayer UV Super Gel.
Start by adding the pink maggots to your hook setup. Then apply SockeyeSlayer UV Super Gel directly to the maggots or to the back of the signature dodger.
You can find both products here:
This is a great combination to experiment with when targeting both trout and kokanee.
Bill Fish Trolling Tips to Help You Catch More Fish
A few small adjustments can make a big difference when trolling a Bill Fish. Here are some of the techniques we recommend.
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Troll Fast
Many anglers automatically slow down when they aren’t catching fish. With a Bill Fish, faster can sometimes be better.
Start between 1.5 and 2.7 MPH and experiment from there. The Bill Fish can continue producing at speeds above 3 MPH.
2. Use Wide S-Turns
Wide S-turns are a great way to experiment with different speeds without constantly adjusting your trolling motor or boat speed.
Watch which lines get bites as the boat turns. This can help you determine whether the fish prefer a faster or slower presentation.
3. Give Your Lure Plenty of Room Behind the Boat
When targeting feeding trout, try running your Bill Fish at least 100 feet behind the boat.
This longer setback is especially worth considering when fish are actively chasing bait.
4. Keep Your Leader Between 20 and 30 Inches
A common mistake is running too short of a leader between the dodger and the Bill Fish.
We recommend maintaining a 20–30-inch leader to give the lure room to work behind the dodger.
5. Change Your Speed Before Changing Everything Else
If you’re marking fish but not getting bites, try adjusting your trolling speed.
A small speed change can make a difference in how your Bill Fish moves through the water and whether fish decide to chase it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing a Bill Fish
What is the best trolling speed for a Bill Fish?
We recommend starting between 1.5 and 2.7 MPH. The Bill Fish can also produce at speeds above 3 MPH, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
How long should the leader be between a dodger and a Bill Fish?
We recommend a leader length of 20–30 inches between your dodger and the Bill Fish.
Should you use a dodger with a Bill Fish?
We recommend using a dodger every time you fish a Bill Fish. However, the lure can also be fished without one.
How far behind the boat should you troll a Bill Fish?
We recommend running your Bill Fish at least 100 feet behind the boat. This is especially important when targeting feeding trout.
How deep should you fish a Bill Fish?
Try positioning your Bill Fish approximately 2.5 feet above the fish you’re targeting. This recommendation applies whether you’re using downriggers or weighted lines.
Can you fish a Bill Fish for both trout and kokanee?
Yes! The Rocky Mountain Tackle Bill Fish is designed for both trout and kokanee. We recommend experimenting with different dodger and lure color combinations depending on which species you’re targeting.
What bait should you use with a Bill Fish?
We recommend trying Berkley Gulp! Pink Maggots with Rocky Mountain Tackle SockeyeSlayer UV Super Gel. Apply the gel directly to the maggots for added scent.
Final Thoughts: Put the Bill Fish to Work
The Rocky Mountain Tackle Bill Fish is a versatile trolling lure that deserves a spot in your trout and kokanee tackle box.
Its unique plastic bill creates an erratic swimming action, and its ability to produce at a variety of trolling speeds makes it an excellent option when fish are actively feeding.
Remember the basics:
- Fish it behind a dodger.
- Use a 20–30-inch leader.
- Start trolling between 1.5 and 2.7 MPH.
- Position your lure approximately 2.5 feet above the fish.
- Run at least 100 feet behind the boat.
- Experiment with wide S-turns to find the right speed.
- Try adding Gulp! Pink Maggots and SockeyeSlayer UV Super Gel.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment. Pay attention to what the fish are telling you and adjust your presentation until you find what works.
Better Tackle. More Kokanee.
