Just as the technique implies, the goal of back-trolling plugs for steelhead is to slowly back them down the river from a boat moving slower than the current.
What is the purpose of back trolling?
So why is back-trolling so effective? “The bow swings too much for precision trolling forward,” Roach says. He also says the flat part of the transom allows an angler much more boat control. “It also allows you to hold yourself better in the current (for river fishing).”
What is back trolling fishing?
Back trolling is the opposite of trolling its putting your trolling motor in reverse instead of going forward. It puts your line in front of the boat instead of behind by the motor. I like doing this when there is a little wind.
What is a Backtroller boat?
As the name implies, backtrolling is done by moving your boat backwards, with the transom leading the way. To do it, face the back of the boat into the wind and work the motor in and out of reverse.It allows you to cover water at a desired speed and prevents the bow of the boat from being pushed around by the wind.
Can you troll in a river?
The most important rule in river trolling is to motor upstream very slowly so the current will keep the plug working. When you turn and troll downstream, you’ll have to go considerably faster than the current to get any action out of a plug.
What is back trolling for salmon?
Back trolling is a controlled way to slide your boat downriver slowly thru a hole or run so you can move through a hole. Instead of anchoring and only fishing one area, back trolling provides the opportunity to cover more water efficiently.
Do you troll up a river or down?
As mentioned earlier, trolling up stream can help you slow your boat, and the baits get much more action being as they are working agsinst the flow. Going down stream you’ll, at times, have to go much faster to get the proper bait action and they can do some strange things in higher flow/current.
Should you troll into the current?
Just remember, if you go with the current, you will have to troll faster than the current to achieve the best action for your lure. 85% of the time I troll against the current. It gives you more control working the breaks, and better bait action.
How fast should I troll?
So, what is the best trolling speed? The best trolling speed depends on several factors including the type of fish, water conditions and lure choice. In general, trolling speeds between 1.5 and 2.5 mph, as measured by GPS, are a good starting place for most species like walleye, trout and salmon.
How fast do you pull crankbaits?
Determine a depth – Like Whitehead, using 90 to 110 feet of line is a good starting point. At 1.5 mph this will put the 8- to 12-foot crankbaits between 12-16 feet, depending on wind on waves. Choose a speed – 1.5 to 1.7 mph is where Whitehead stays and is a common speed for pulling cranks.
Can you troll for fish in a river?
One of the great things about trolling is its versatility. You can troll out in the ocean, on a lake, and even on a river. What matters is that the water is deep enough for a boat. Well, some fish would be good, too – but more on that in a bit.
How far behind a boat should you troll?
For bigeye use a flatline about 40 feet behind the boat. They want it in the prop wash. The longer the lures are the more careful you have to be when making turns. You also have to make sure your lures are running straight or you will get nasty tangles.
How do you troll for steelhead in a river?
The most productive tactics when trolling for spring steelhead include fishing with planer boards, downriggers and slide divers. Planer boards are typically the most productive and allow your lines to be spread out away from the boat.
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