re flatfish,
They troll OK but don't cast worth a darn. I have not caught many fish on them, probably because they are not one of my go to lures. My grandfather used them, my dad used them on occasion, so I bought them and leave them in my tackle box.
I think Like2fish is right, I much perfer a spoon like a laker taker, little cleo, crocodile, or daredevil. All silver, silver and blue, silver and chartreuse, or silver and red work well for me, casting or trolling. A steady retrieve is not as effective as a pull, pause, pull pause retreive.
Finally, much to my chagrin, I have caught some lake trout with or adding powerbait.
Terre