Trolling And Reel Set-Up

[Hooked]

I am not sure how how this is supposed to be done. So my question is, when trolling for what ever you are fishing for, how is the reel supposed to be set. Let's say I am trolling with a wiggle wort for walleye. I make my cast behind the boat, put my rod in the rod holder and then start the boat moving. Is the reel supposed to be locked, as in when you are reeling it in? If I do that, won't the rod be broke or pulled out of the boat if I sang a tree/rock?

Seems I remember that when deep sea fishing, and trolling a large lure behind the boat, using a large Penn reel, there is some kind of trolling switch that the reel is set-up for. The lure isn't strong enough to pull the line out, but when a large fish grabs the lure it will start pulling line. You then flip the bail and start reeling in. Am I thinking of this wrong?

I don't think I have ever heard anyone talk about this on their TV show when they are trolling for walleye.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I don't know about everyone else, but I back the star drag off. You can set it according to your line and rod requirements and then use your thumb until its back to where it should be, or you can continue to use your thumb. The reels we used for salmon had a lever that reduced the star drag a certain amount when pulled out. When a fish hit and you picked the rod up you simply threw the lever back in and the drag went to normal. I don't if there are other methods.

[Quillback]

yep "lock" your reel and just adjust your drag so that line is pulled out if you snag on a rock or hook a decent fish. I have done quite a bit of trolling and have never broken a rod because of getting hung up. If you get hung up and your drag is set right, it will just pull line off until you get the boat stopped.

[rps]

As I have learned (over and over) a drag that's backed off serves another good purpose when trolling. Fish who hit trolled baits don't always hook up solid in the boney part of the mouth. A flexible rod and a drag set a little more loose will not pull out as often. BTW, although others use a rod holder, I hold the rod as I troll. I want to feel the bottom, brush and so on.