|
|
Posts: 109
| I don't troll often but we had some success with it this past spring and I'd like to be a little be better at it. Trying to get a setup to troll 4 rods. Do you guys troll 4 different baits or do you like to troll all the same or 2 big baits and 2 small baits? We usually just troll 2 rods and use different baits. Dont usually have much success except on a March day last the the stars aligned and we put 8 in the boat. 3 of these were casting though. Just wondered what some of you guys do it that troll a bunch? Thanks.
Edited by buckner 10/30/2013 6:54 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 360
| I like to run 2 natural colors and 2 bright colors if I'm running 4 rods |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1202
Location: Money, PA | I always like to start with a good mix of baits, colors and depth of water column. If I find it seems that fish are preferring any specific thing, I will adjust accordingly; whether its color, depth or style of lure.
In PA, fishing 2 guys, I will generally run 4 boat rods and 2 inline board rods...If the boards become a pain, which they often do for various reasons, I will run 6 boat rods. Take the boys out and 3 people on board...I will run 8 total rods....I'm capable of running 12 total, but haven't attempted that yet!
What you run is just part of the success of trolling IMO....Its how you run. Lots of variables include, speed, area or concentrations and paying close attention to what you see on your screen. By concentrations, I mean concentrating in specific areas which may include bait clouds or areas where you have action. Even paying attention to how the bait looks on your screen is a factor at times. Not to mention those historical productive spots which have produced fish for you in the past.
Good Luck!
Edited by ShutUpNFish 10/30/2013 1:13 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | 8 is a very good day, congrats!
I rarely ever troll more than 2 rods, not worth the effort most of the time with floating weeds and all... The prop wash however easy to do,, "if" they're active, mostly running 8'-10' or less and in the warmer months, about 5% of the time. Bait size is a matter of activity level, in most cases fish with big mouths will hit a big bait when active and a small bait when not so active. A small bait can be an indicator to the start of a fish movement.
In order to become a better troller we must understand that trolling has been too often mistaken for just another "technique" such as casting vs pulling suckers or vertical jigging. This couldn't be more wrong! A lot of fisherman say they troll but in most cases they're actually just dragging baits behind the boat". Buck Perry, the greatest trolled who ever lived said many times "Trolling is the teacher".
The good troller can go to any body of water and not worry about catching a fish, his greater concern is the weather and water conditions while on the water. He is not afraid of new waters because trolling will teach him in short order everything he needs to know about a lake of relative size. Many fisherman believe trolling is about coving water in order to catch fish when in reality trolling is about learning what's under the water, the catches come second.
The fish may come trolling or it may require a slower presentation only realized by casting or vertical jigging or heaven forbid live or dead bait, what a pain, ha ha! But this troller will now spend his time "where" he has the best chance to locate the school. Once the fisherman learns a body of water he may still spend 80-85% of his day trolling but catch 80-85% of his fish casting, why cast if there're not active, let the fish tell the fisherman when its time.
Best of luck!
Edited by jerryb 10/30/2013 10:56 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1082
Location: Aurora | Changed the way I think/feel about it.
Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1530
| trolling. its not wandering around. good trollers have made it a science. controlling lures in a fishes strike zone is an excellent way to up catches. baits staggered at different depths and leads will up your averages. on larger waters I highly recommend you get hooked up with a veteran of the art.. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 92
| Jerry,
That is the best explanation of trolling I have seen to make people realize what the trolling technique really is all about! Well Done!
Chuck DiVito
Custom X Lures and Rods
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 7115
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Downriggers...even on smaller lakes. Think about it, controlled depth, straight behind the boat, will go at any speed the bait can handle. And its NUTS when a muskie takes one. Like having shamu on every time! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1247
Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Sometimes trolling is following weed edges,following channel and structure edges,out deep on suspended fish around bait fish schools,but good trollers know when to be short line up high at fast speeds,slowdown and downsize baits or down deep on structure change as much as only 2 ft that is gravel to catch fish on a regular basis.Then over time fishing different waters one will hone their trolling skills to find the food shelves where muskies feed on a regular basis,even down to where the biggest muskies feed.
Attachments
----------------
 20131030_190651.jpg (67KB - 194 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 427
Location: Planet Meltdown | Nice fish, Larry! Buffalo Harbor? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1247
Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Yes, Buffalo Harbor night before the 60 mph wind gusts and 14ft waves! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 427
Location: Planet Meltdown | Congrats! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 278
Location: WV | Buckner, give me a call sometime. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1247
Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Wind gusts to 58 mph today with 14ft waves on Lake Erie will turn Lake Erie brown and drive the big muskies to trapped cleaner water behind the harbor walls, more big catches possible through this weekends warm up to 60 degrees. |
|
| |
