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Posts: 252
| I've kinda got into trolling this year. Caught a few fish while trolling and I'm finding out that I'm not as worn out by the end of the day when I take a trolling break as I am when I spend the entire day casting.
Sometimes when I'm trolling along, the reel will start spinning like a fish is on and then stop. I've seen this happen in fairly deep water where I shouldn't be hitting any stumps with my lure.
Will muskies hit a trolled lure at times and cause the line to pull out and then some how get off?
I'm wondering this because I've caught two fish trolling within 30 feet of each other. Then, I have went through that same spot and had my line pull out for a few seconds and then stop. Just wondering what is going on... |
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Posts: 20219
Location: oswego, il | yep, you had a strike and they got off. it happens just like in casting. |
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Posts: 5874
| Razor sharp hooks are a must. Also, not knowing what line/reell/rod combo you are trolling with, but you might try tightening your drag just a tad. |
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| Shep - 6/3/2013 8:23 AM
Razor sharp hooks are a must. Also, not knowing what line/reell/rod combo you are trolling with, but you might try tightening your drag just a tad.
I'm always filing on my hooks trying to keep them sharp. I didn't really know about what drag setting would be best. I've been keeping my drag set really loose and using cheap ugly stick rods with 65 lb power pro line. I will try tightening up on the drag some. The lures that I am using seem to do a pretty good job of banging around on stumps and stuff at times and not always getting hung up. Most of the water that I'm catching fish in is about 12 foot deep and I'm short-lining at about 7 to 8 foot deep.
Thanks for the responses. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Those line pulls are what I call "rips". That's where a fish grabs your lure for a second or two and lets go.
Two things that will help with hookups are tighter drag and extra sharp hooks.
Sharp hooks are a must. Sometimes they get sharpened too much and the hooks are short stubby used up hooks. I like hooks that are needle sharp and thin on smaller baits. I have hooks that I cut off new lures and replace with hooks I have had better hook ups with. I change most of my crankbait hooks before they even see the water.
The second thing is drag. I set my drag so a fish can pull line when you get a hit but not so loose where the fish is not getting pulled forward when it hits the lure. The best way to test your drag is to reel your lure in as fast as you can. If your drag is slipping its too loose. If it doesn't slip at all it might be too tight. I like to hear a click, click, click as I am power reeling in a lure. That's my system to check drag tightness for trolling.
You want the lure to keep moving forward with the boat as the fish hits it. The fish will open its mouth to spit it once it realizes its not food. The line should be tight enough to move that lure as they let the lure go to slide the hooks home.
Too tight of a drag is better than too loose. There is a fine line between the lures used and drag tightness. The bigger the baits and hooks the tighter the drag. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Don't be to quick to grab the rod let the boat set the hook. I'm not saying drown the fish just give it a few extra seconds. |
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Posts: 360
| I set my drag tight enough to where I can just barely pull it out with my hand. And if trolling by yourself you can help set hook on fish by hitting the throttle when the fish hits grab the pole then stop the boat. |
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| This you can be sure of, if a musky can throw a lure it mistakenly hit, it will. This undoubtedly happens when they hit a trolled lure. I've had one throw a 8" Jake on an arcing jump out of the water right after it hit the lure at 20' or so down. It depends on how the fish hits the lure. Make sure your hooks are sharp. And make sure your drag is tight enough to set the hook if a fish hits. But not too tight. It's a feel thing. |
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Posts: 1106
Location: Muskegon Michigan | One rule we use and have used for a long long time in regards to drag setting is this, A big fish should be able to take line and a small fish should not. I test my drags all the time . They must be tight enough to set the size hooks you are running. If those hooks are small wire hooks you dont need much power to set them. Most trolling baits we run use 2/0 to 4/0 HOOKS AND ARE 5 TO 7 INCHES LONG. Good moderate drag setting will set those. 5/0, 6/0 and up? Line test, Reels and rods are all going to be tested. There is no one line or one rod and reel setup in this game. Ive trolled everything from Trout and Salmon , Walleyes and Pike to Muskies and Stripers. Many many different set ups to use and understand. You have mono lines, braid lines, wire lines, lead core, Copper etc. Planer boards, boat rods down riggers and its all different. Sounds like you had a fish on or something else snagged. If you are(NOT) hearing your drag you are not using the right type of reel. Most of the time (not always)Muskies rip drag in short spurts which equate to head shakes. Dragging one looks like slow drag running rod bent to the max. Steady drag running fast is most likely a snag. Dont thumb the spool on a snag or you will burn your thumb good. Practice. Get out and troll and get used to the little ins and outs of trolling and you will know what happens when it does. Mike
Edited by Kingfisher 6/3/2013 2:08 PM
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| The more experienced I became at trolling the tighter my drags became, especially with larger baits. BR |
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| Funny, 6 or 7 years ago a went on a horrific streak somehow losing 19 straight fish while trolling...just bizarre.
I really started to tinker with drag settings, out of probably close to 50 fish since, I think I have lost 3 or 4.
Loosen your drag... Think about it this way, yer clipping along at 5+ mph, a fish hits, what do you want to happen IMMEDIATELY after the fish hits? Well, me, I want that fish to turn and head back to where it came from, thus moving away from me and burying the hooks back into it. When a 30 pound fish hits your bait at that speed line should be ripping, if your hooks are sharpened properly they are going to be buried.
Whatever bait I am running, I get up to speed with rod in my had, give at real strong hookset, the drag should peel a foot or two of line, not slip an inch, peel those couple feet. |
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