Upper bull 7-28/29

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I used to lose a lot more when i just trolled with whatever baitcaster i had laying around, no i use Okuma Stratamaster trolling rods and yes they are very limber but the hook up way better.  I found them pretty cheap in the Bass Pro outlet.  I was tying a new bait on the other day when i saw my other rod bend over, i just finished what i was doing and the fish stayed pinned no problem.  The Walleye lately feel about like a rock coming in until they see the boat.  I pulled a couple in and i was convinced i hooked a big stick or a rock.

[rps]

1 hour ago, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

I used to lose a lot more when i just trolled with whatever baitcaster i had laying around, no i use Okuma Stratamaster trolling rods and yes they are very limber but the hook up way better.  I found them pretty cheap in the Bass Pro outlet.  I was tying a new bait on the other day when i saw my other rod bend over, i just finished what i was doing and the fish stayed pinned no problem.  The Walleye lately feel about like a rock coming in until they see the boat.  I pulled a couple in and i was convinced i hooked a big stick or a rock.

I should have known you know about the tip I wrote. Oh well, at least the other readers might learn something.

 

[terryj1024]

Thanks RPS I've been running my drag tight and probably use too heavy of rods

[dan hufferd]

On 8/4/2018 at 10:18 AM, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

I used to lose a lot more when i just trolled with whatever baitcaster i had laying around, no i use Okuma Stratamaster trolling rods and yes they are very limber but the hook up way better.  I found them pretty cheap in the Bass Pro outlet.  I was tying a new bait on the other day when i saw my other rod bend over, i just finished what i was doing and the fish stayed pinned no problem.  The Walleye lately feel about like a rock coming in until they see the boat.  I pulled a couple in and i was convinced i hooked a big stick or a rock.

i have had the same thing happen, usually when trolling crank baits, it is funny to hear it from someone else. 

[rangerman]

I generally run all 10pd stealth braid and a 30 foot floro leader tied with uni to uni. I’ve got tons of trolling rods but I have been thoroughly impressed with the ugly stik gx2 in 7’6 medium light. Long enough to get line away from boat but not to long to manage. And perfect for running both cranks and trolling inline weights with crawler harnesses. Ditto on light drag. 

[Tim M]

You ever use or troll live creek chubs? or troll spinners with bottom bouncers?

[rangerman]

22 hours ago, Tim M said:

You ever use or troll live creek chubs? or troll spinners with bottom bouncers?

I reserve the chubs for cooler water January through March, usually I just long line with heavy split shot. Bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses and slow death are kind of standard equipment, yeah I pull them too.  You can troll cranks on the upper end all winter with success. We caught some huge crappie 14-17 inchers pulling #11 flicker minnows last winter. 

[top_dollar]

I also use Okuma trolling rods.  They are 9ft 6inch downrigger rods.  The extra length, in addition to the slow action keeps fish buttoned up when trolling with metered braid.  If you use mono, with a line counter, you can get away with a shorter and stiffer rod, but you will sacrifice running depth of your crankbait.  I have a book called precision trolling...its tremendously helpful.

[Tim M]

14 hours ago, rangerman said:

I reserve the chubs for cooler water January through March, usually I just long line with heavy split shot. Bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses and slow death are kind of standard equipment, yeah I pull them too.  You can troll cranks on the upper end all winter with success. We caught some huge crappie 14-17 inchers pulling #11 flicker minnows last winter. 

yea we've caught a bunch of big sunfish trolling spinners with crawlers, stealing our bait, been reading a lot about plastics on the spinners so I might get a wild hair and try it🤣 

[Tim M]

we don't know Table Rock enough to know your term the upper end ?