FishDr Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 I mentioned trolling lures in the Got 'em section and had a question about it. I figured I could start a discussion over here to address it, and because I am curious about how many of you sometimes troll swimbaits, and the when/why/how/what of it. I figured I could get the discussion rolling with my when/why/how/what. When/Why? Normally, I troll swimbaits as a distraction when I'm rowing my 8' pontoon from one spot to another. My top speed with the oars is about 4 mph, with a cruising speed of around 2.5 mph, and my top speed with fins is around 2.5 mph, and I cruise at 1 - 1.5 mph. Since I can't go faster than trolling speed anyway, I figure I might as well having something trail in the water behind me to perhaps intercept a fish holding on cover I didn't know about, or roaming open water. Most of the time (I'd say 75% - 90%) of the time, nothing happens, but sometimes I get a pleasant surprise. I also troll swimbaits when I'm searching for northerns and sometimes for big walleyes during the day. The lakes I fish for northerns/'eyes tend to have lots of potential cover and hitting it all with casts can take a long time, whereas I can make a bait run parallel to a weedline or rocky ledge while trolling fairly quickly. It also gives me break from casting and covers a lot of water. How? Most of my trolling, given its incidental nature, is just done on a flat line and a long cast back from the 'toon. I try to get at least 90' of line out and sometimes will run a lure as far back as 150', just so that fish alerted by the flailing of my fins or splashing of the oars have a chance to reset for something more interesting. Occasionally I'll pull a much shorter line (20 - 30') if I'm working stained water or heavy cover and need to be able to make tight turns and the like. When I set out on a trip where I plan to troll from the outset, I'l often bring planer boards and sometimes I'll bring a mini-downrigger. The planer boards are something one of the top northern pike/walleye guides in CO put me onto and they work surprisingly well. Apparently a lot of the bigger 'eyes and some of the bigger trout-eating pike suspend away from cover and fairly close to the surface. Pass directly over them with a boat and they scatter. Pass over them with a planer board (only about 12" long) and they stay in position and remain willing to kill. We all want fish that are willing to kill. I have sometimes run planer boards off both sides of the 'toon, but normally run a single large board off one side (often the shoreward side) while running a straight flat line of the other - then I troll over the edge of the weed line or a select depth contour and let the planer run 30 - 50' to the side (lure is about 30' behind it). Planer boards have been effective for northerns and smaller walleye, and I keep wondering what would happen if I ran one along a dark, rocky shoreline in lakes known for bass at night, with a large, loud wakebait waffling along behind it. If I bring the downrigger (not very often, not yet successful), the I'm either pulling Slammers or Hudds for fish in mid-water or near the bottom in anywhere from 15 - 50'. Standard downrigger trolling, but I think the 4-lb ball I currently use is a little light for the amount of drag a swimbait has. One day I'm going to get a fish to hit a lure on the downrigger (lots of trout eat more trout-type baits) and it's going to be fun. What? What lures do I use? My mainstay for trolling on the surface or just under the surface is the Slammer. Mike made them work equally well as a trolled lure as a wake bait and because they float, if I have to pause for a moment, they float up out of harms way. Sinking lures will sometimes get frustrating to use because they find things to get snagged on if you pause. I have also pulled various BBZs (no fish yet), Shellcrackers (no fish), and Hudds (ROF 5, ROF 12). I think the Hudds, especially the 12 and 16 have some potential for deep trolling around bass and walleye holding areas because they seem to hold a steady depth - you just have to work out your speed x length of line x starting depth relationships to figure out how deep the lure is working. I'm still working on those, but if I can do it in a systematic manner, it should be possible to say something like "okay, I'll let out 50' of line, move at 1.2 mph, and count the lure down for 20 seconds before I start - that should put the lure at 15'." Anyway, that's what I've been doing - if you've trolled swimbaits, I'd be curious to hear what tactics you use. Jon P 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flaswimbaiter Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 Because a swimbait........swims, I believe it is the perfect bait for trolling. Not much of that happens here except in saltwater, if I had a boat I would troll the FS shad for mackerel and snook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATFISHING1234 Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 I will troll from my float tube for many of the reasons stated above or often times I will let myself drift with the wind. Either way I like using this bottom bouncer. I tried going to the Northland site but seems to be down. Anyways I will usually troll a floating BBZ1 or a Hudd 0. I use just enough weight to keep the rig standing upright 3/4 as an example for the BBZ with about a 3 foot mono leader. I've used the rig with some success including this 9.3# picutured here at the Lagoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Thompson Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 Awesome fish! There are so many nooks and crannys thst can hold a fish. That is a solid plan once you have hit the main stuff or are in route. Great job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishDr Posted May 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 I will troll from my float tube for many of the reasons stated above or often times I will let myself drift with the wind. Either way I like using this bottom bouncer: A bottom bouncer - that's a great idea! I assume you troll along pretty slowly when you pull the bouncer? I'll have to give that a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oprcsr Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 Hmm looks like I'll need to grab a bottom bouncer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATFISHING1234 Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 Awesome fish! There are so many nooks and crannys thst can hold a fish. That is a solid plan once you have hit the main stuff or are in route. Great job Just at steady kicking speed which is not very fast in a tube I guess it would be equal to a medium retrieve. It's a great way to troll close to the bottom and rarely if ever get hung up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassindon69 Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 I plan on getting into this when I can no longer cast . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttaluns Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 I will always troll...Usually i will have a wake bait, mission fish, or a hudd tied on. Ill just let the boat drift while i cast another bait. Sometimes i cant stand sloooooow rolling so when the wind is right, i let it and the boat do the work for me.... Ignore the rucus and then half way to the boat, my line went loose and drag went free and i had to hand line the rest in, that was fun..... 7lbs 3oz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAv2m3fwKZ0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echoedd Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 I will always troll...Usually i will have a wake bait, mission fish, or a hudd tied on. Ill just let the boat drift while i cast another bait. Sometimes i cant stand sloooooow rolling so when the wind is right, i let it and the boat do the work for me.... Ignore the rucus and then half way to the boat, my line went loose and drag went free and i had to hand line the rest in, that was fun..... 7lbs 3oz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAv2m3fwKZ0 That was awesome Micah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 I plan on getting into this when I can no longer cast . Perfecto! -Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.