Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?
monsterlures
Posted 4/18/2017 3:31 PM (#857652)
Subject: Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?




Posts: 256


I intend to troll more often using big 16inch crankbaits, but im not sure what im looking for gear wise:

I am not looking for any specific rod or reel, I just want to know what I need to look at when chosing trolling gear.

For the reel, a line counter and a clicker are logicaly preferable?

For the rod? Am i looking for something thats extra strong, like my tackle industries xxxh, or is that too stiff and should I look for something with a softer action? Also why would a softer action be preferable is that where the case?

Bonus question: what should I use to troll a 21 inch deepthreat?
horsehunter
Posted 4/18/2017 4:16 PM (#857656 - in reply to #857652)
Subject: Re: Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?




Location: Eastern Ontario
Trolling is hard on equipment and the bigger the lure the harder it will be. I like a glass rod rather than graphite St Croix makes a good one my favourite is a discontinued Okuma.I look for 8 foot rods that deflect about 9 or 10 inches with a 12 oz. weight hung from the tip and a medium fast action. For reels a strong line counter reel Tekota's are great but Okuma Coldwaters or Convectors will do the job. I use a tight drag but it is impossible to set a drag so tight a big fish wont rip line. Upgrading the drag washers on any of those reels is not a bad idea. Google Tuna Tom. I have used lures as large as 24 inches in the past after watching a big fish T-bone another around 37 inches . I couldn't keep the fish pinned I think they used the lure size for leverage. I have the most success with lures around 10 or 12 inches . My favourites are Hose Fatty's but the Hosebag is a personal friend. They catch fish but so will Jakes and Believers.

Edit: you want enough tip action to detect weeds if your not running your rod tips in the water.
horsehunter
Posted 4/18/2017 4:24 PM (#857659 - in reply to #857652)
Subject: Re: Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?




Location: Eastern Ontario
I have been playing with 2 cheap Okuma glass rods in the Great lakes series the 8'6" Copper Leadcore and the 7'6" Striper
They would both work on a budget I like the 7'6" the other would work well for inline planers

I tried the Catfish rod but is much too soft for my liking
RLSea
Posted 4/18/2017 9:38 PM (#857709 - in reply to #857652)
Subject: Re: Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?




Posts: 489


Location: Northern Illinois
Ugly Stick 8' 1-pc. or 10' 2-pc. take a lot of abuse and perform well for not a lot of money.
muskyhunter47
Posted 4/18/2017 10:07 PM (#857713 - in reply to #857709)
Subject: Re: Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
Nothing specific but a good glass rod and a line counting reel 36 inch fluorocarbon leader
Musky_Mo16
Posted 4/18/2017 10:23 PM (#857716 - in reply to #857713)
Subject: Re: Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?




Posts: 735


Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't
Don't want to highjack your thread but this question might help you too. Is the diawa sealine a good trolling reel?
horsehunter
Posted 4/19/2017 6:48 AM (#857726 - in reply to #857652)
Subject: Re: Trolling big crankbaits: what am I looking for?




Location: Eastern Ontario
Make sure any rod has a carbaloy or at least an all metal tip top with no inserts.

Diawa reels seem to stand up salmon guys have used them forever

Some 8 foot but not all Ugly Sticks will work some down rigging models are much to light especially for the size lures he's talking .