LUNKERS LURKING AT SHORE.

Byline: Michael A. Anastasi Sports Editor 

This year's trout opener promises bigger catches, but even if you want to make big fish your target this year, experts say you probably don't need to do anything different.

The Department of Fish and Game dumps brood stock - fish that were used for breeding in hatcheries - along with its normal plants, so there will be plenty of big fish, particularly rainbows, that can be caught along shore.

The key is to respect the fish's savvy. Successful big-fish anglers are quiet, sneak up to their spots and generally avoid making a big deal out of their presence.

In smaller waters, you often can see large trout. Many anglers will throw at these for a while, then give up.

Catching big fish, like anything worthwhile, takes work.

``If you locate a big fish, stay on it,'' said longtime outdoors writer Jim Matthews. ``A big fish is going to feed at some point, but maybe not at the point that you're there. So keep working it, keep trying different things. At some point, it will bite.''

Because Crowley Lake has been ice-free for so long this year, fish have had more time to feed and grow. As usual, the biggest trout will be caught in the middle of the lake by those trolling.

Early in the morning and dusk, troll near the surface and go deeper during midday.