Need some trolling guidance !

[VJMAC]

My experience with trolling is basically none. Have putted around with a rod in my lap and dragging a crankbait. No more then i have done i have caught some nice fish. So i have got set up with some nice rod holders,bottom bouncers,crawler harnesses,crankbaits,etc.... Gonna be me and the wife out there. Set up for 6 rods. As far as being beginners should we stick to one rod apiece ? Maybe 2?? Do you run deeper stuff out the back and shallower on sides ? From research it looks like 1 to 1.5 mph is a good speed ?  Once you hook a fish should you maintain your speed or would you shut down till reeled in ? Think shutting down would create issues with snagging ( bottom bouncers ) Sure i could come up with a 100 more questions but i'll stop here for now ! Appreciate any and all advice you all have. Thanks  

[wtr dogs]

TAKE IT EASY, one rod apice until you get the hang of it.

 

      If you and pardner let out enough line to be effective and all a sudden get hung up you need to be able to recover the other line and go back and try to free hangup.

With the current temps you can troll up to 2.5 mph, if you are trying to bottom bounce 1.5 to .5 mph.

As far as hooking and landing the fish, you must remainin control of your boat, especially if it is Windy.

 

 if u try to run 6 rods u r going not have fun!!!!

Right now try trolling up the gut of coves and good luck

[VJMAC]

Thanks ! Great advice. Guess i shouldve looked at other topics on this page before i started this one! One about bottom bouncers has alot of good info there !! 

[nomolites]

I usually run four rods with cranks but just one when bottom bouncing.  I usually run deeper diving cranks in the inside and I do not stop when hooked up but may slow down some if it is a big 'un.  I am almost always between 1.7and 2.2 mph with cranks and shoot for .5-1.0 with bouncers?  As suggested get too aggressive with contours until you are comfortable where your baits are running, plenty of hang ups will come later once you think you've "got it".  Add complexity and risk of tackle gradually, you will likely find one way that suits you best.

If your wife enjoys it too you will eventually have a great time working together running your system; my wife and I do!

Mike

[Walleyedmike]

Spot on advice by wtr dogs and nomolites. I'll just add, one of the things to keep in mind when trolling is the ability to duplicate what caught the last fish, particularly speed and depth. This can be accomplished with line counter reels or metered line especially when trolling crank baits. It is also important to ensure your crank baits are in tune and running straight when trolling multiple rods so you don't get your lines hung up with each other. Um, I've heard that can create quite a mess.

WM

[DADAKOTA]

While in the beginning stages of trolling you do not need line counter reels or special line.  Let out a bunch of line and adjust from there.  If not getting bit try a little longer or shorter.  When you get bit take a sharpie and mark your line where it exits the reel.  Makes it real easy to get the same amount out.  Make turns gradually and I usually speed up just a hare to get the lines tracking straight again.  When you hook a crappie don't slow down, but reel fast enough to get the fish on top then ski it to the boat.  Be careful with a flopping fish in the boat and treble hooks flashing around.  I typically use a pliers when unhooking crankbait fish.  Dont be afraid to make a jog left or right while on a track.  Starting into a jog your baits slow down a little and when you straighten back out they have a little burst of speed which often triggers a strike.

[zarraspook]

1 hour ago, DADAKOTA said:

While in the beginning stages of trolling you do not need line counter reels or special line.  Let out a bunch of line and adjust from there.  If not getting bit try a little longer or shorter.  When you get bit take a sharpie and mark your line where it exits the reel.  Makes it real easy to get the same amount out.  Make turns gradually and I usually speed up just a hare to get the lines tracking straight again.  When you hook a crappie don't slow down, but reel fast enough to get the fish on top then ski it to the boat.  Be careful with a flopping fish in the boat and treble hooks flashing around.  I typically use a pliers when unhooking crankbait fish.  Dont be afraid to make a jog left or right while on a track.  Starting into a jog your baits slow down a little and when you straighten back out they have a little burst of speed which often triggers a strike.

X2--Great info...

[LoweSTX175]

Also if you are trolling with others in the boat....don't always stop the boat when you get a fish on.  Especially with cranks.  Let everyone's crank go through the area.  Zarra does like I do...ski those crappie because the treble typically has a good grip on them.... plus it prevents the fish from getting into the other lines that are out.  Also don't crowd guys who are casting into the bank, be considerate.  But don't hesitate to get cranked (no pun intended) when you get a jerk who drives over your line then complains.  There is plenty of room on the lake... and sometimes when you are forced to go out to the deeper water you'll have success by accident.

[top_dollar]

Trolling has been tough on stockton this year for me....no idea why.  For long lining cranks, each person fishing will do well with 1 8-9ft, med heavy power, moderate slow action rod (OKUMA Classic Pro rods are perfect for 30 bucks a pop...but any downrigger rod works great).  I would highly recommend metered braid line (power pro depth hunter), but as has been mentioned simply marking your spot with a sharpie works too.  Tie a snap to the end of the line and everyone put on different color flicker shads (size 5,7, and 9 are good).  Let out 100-200 feet of line out (vary this as it effects how deep your lure is going).  After catching a few fish youll be able to put together a pattern of best color, size, and running depths.  Trolling speeds of 0.5-3.5 mph has been effective for me, usually i like 2-2.5.  Dont be afraid to go way faster than you would think...aggressive fish will chase it down, especially in hot water.  I like the soft action rod with the no stretch braid, seems to give me the best hookups, and keeps em on for the long ride back to the boat, more of a personal preference though. 

  When i detect a bite, i immediately put the boat in neutral and begin hauling in the fish...other fisherman in the boat also reel in to 1.) avoid tangles and 2.) many many times get a bite on the retrieve.  I often times will simply make a U turn and go back over the area where i got a bite.  Quite often you can triangulate an area where your getting multiple bites..especially if you have good electronics..then simply go to where x marks the spot and begin a more methodical approach to catching the less active fish.  Its a great way to find fish and quickly pattern them.  A rubber net, good pliers, and no carpet in your boat will also help you spend more time fishing and less time with a walleye pinned to the boat carpet/net with 2 sets of treble hooks.

Get the precision trolling app.  Its nifty if you dont wanna fork over hundreds for the book.

[DADAKOTA]

Another triggering trick is to put the motor in neutral for a couple three seconds then back in gear.  Your bait will slow its forward progress and start to rise.  When you resume your speed it dart back to trolling depth.  Some fish will hit as it rises and other just after you put her back in gear.  I run flickrs and bandits at the same time and see if the fish have a preference.