While there are different ways and speeds to troll for fish depending on the species you are targeting, saltwater trolling speeds are generally between 2 and 9 knots. The key to getting bites is presenting your baits or lures at the right speed and depth that mimics the swimming behavior of a live baitfish.
Do you troll with the tide or against?
Troll with the Tide: Always. It will allow you the most control and the ability to drop on bottom dwellers. It also looks the most natural in strong current since most baitfish have no option but to ride the tide. Your lures, therefore, will look the most natural.
How fast do you troll in the ocean?
“Any [speed] faster than 10 knots, [and] you typically have to fish with trolling weights and wire line in order to keep the baits down below the surface,” says Impson. Wahoo are one species that truly excels at those high trolling speeds. Ten to 12 knots is no problem for a trolling speed for wahoo.
What is the best speed for trolling?
Slow Trolling Tips and Techniques
That means trolling as slowly as your engine will possibly allow, often moving just enough to keep the bait behind the boat. ideally about 2 knots is great. Live baits can be trolled on a rod and reel directly behind the boat or you can utilise a downrigger if you have one.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
Every boat is different and you should make your boat your own study. Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.
How do you troll for flounder?
Trolling for Flounder
Slow-trolling is just that: going super-slow and hovering over, and frequently passing over, the areas that are productive. Dropping the engine in and out of gear when covering areas such as rockpiles or pilings is especially helpful in generating hookups.
Can you troll with any lure?
The great thing about trolling is that you can do it anywhere for just about any species. You can troll up a creek for natives, or miles offshore for tuna – in fact, just about every predatory fish will eat a lure.
How do you troll with a spoon?
A spoon should wobble from side-to-side and will produce its best all-around, fish-catching action when trolled at speeds between the slowest that produces a wobble and the fastest darting action that does not cause the lure to revolve or spin. For fast trolling try the Krocodile.
What is jigging technique for fishing?
The jigging technique mainly involves catching fish by impaling (piercing) them with special hooks. In jigging generally, the line must be jerked to pierce the fish with sharp weighted hooks that when pulled will have sufficient momentum to penetrate the fish thereby preventing their escape.
How do you slow troll?
Drift socks and trolling bags can also slow your trolling speed. Like parachutes, these devices increase drag, and that’s what reduces speed. Trolling bags offer more robust construction than do drift socks to withstand the additional pressure on the chute and straps from a moving boat, especially in rough seas.
Can I troll with a spinning rod?
Yes, trolling offshore for species like tuna and mahi can be done with a spinning reel—if you know a few basic facts. Naturally, when offshore trolling you wouldn’t want to use a reel, even a high-quality reel, that’s sized for stripers—like a Shimano Stradic C3000. This is a great reel, but it’s simply not big enough.
What is a trolling lure?
Trolling lures are designed to imitate real-live bait fish that appear to be injured or just moving quickly. You’ll find a variety of surface lures, plugs, soft baits, spoon lures and spinnerbait to attract almost any type of pelagic fish.
How fast do you troll with a Rapala?
Troll worm harnesses behind bottom bouncers or floating Rapalas on a three way rig as slow as 0.8 mph. These same tactics work on lethargic post spawn walleye as well. Trolling really kicks into high gear for summer walleye. Start trolling at speeds of 2.0 mph and adjust as necessary to encourage strikes.
What is the best line for trolling?
Monofilament
Monofilament is the best line choice for trolling in most situations, but there are times when low stretch lines have the edge. Because low stretch lines are super thin, they enable trolling lures like crankbaits to pick up significantly more depth compared to monofilament lines of the same break strength.
How do I know when my lure hits the bottom?
When they are in the water column, you should feel the vibration of the lure as it moves. If you feel anything else, you have either hit the bottom or some debris in the water column. If you just graze the bottom, you will feel a tick. If you are dragging the bottom, you will feel an uneven extra weight on the line.