The three basic types of walleye trolling lures are plugs, spinners, and spoons. Plugs are by far the most popular for a couple of reasons. Plugs can be purchased with lip sizes that result in them diving down to a determined depth.
What should I troll for walleye?
The best trolling speed for spring walleye is from 0.5 to 1 mph. Early on in the season, when the water is still cold, it’s best to use a slow trolling speed under 1 mph, and speeds of 0.7 or 0.8 mph can work extremely well at this time of the year.
What bait do you use for trolling?
Skirted lures are more effective for chasing bigger fish, while soft plastics are better suited for trolling for smaller game. Spoons and plugs are versatile options, and they fall somewhere in the middle. For saltwater trolling, squid, ballyhoo, mullet, and mackerel are go-to baits for most anglers.
When should I start trolling for walleye?
It depends on the time of year and water temperatures. Trolling speed, in the spring, is best at 1.3 – 1.5 mph. Summer trolling speeds increase 1.5- 2 mph as walleyes are more active in warmer water temperatures.
How much line should I let out for a troll?
Trolling Depth Trick #3
Consider the following example: If you’re trolling a tandem rig tied with two five-ounce bucktails (5 x 2 = 10), and you let out 100 feet of line (double 50, so multiply by two again), according to the Rule it will run at about 20 feet below the surface (5 x 2 = 10 x 2 = 20).
What size swivel clips should I use for walleye trolling?
Light and strong and allows the bait to give its maximum wiggle. I use a size 12 or 14 Crane swivel at the end of my braid and attach a 2′ piece of fluro to the swivel.
What speed should you troll at?
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.
Should you troll with or against the current?
When in an area with current, troll crosscurrent as opposed to with and/or against the current. Going crosscurrent, you don’t have to worry about how the current is affecting your lure’s or bait’s speed through the water. Plus, fish generally swim into the current.
How do you fish offshore?
Use large diving lures with a lip to troll deepwater or use a topwater or popper lure to attract fish near the surface. Keep a pitch bait rod handy to cast live bait at fish near the surface. Bucktail jigs are an offshore staple, keep a rod rigged with a bucktail for moments when you need to cast quickly.
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.
Should I use a swivel when trolling?
Lastly, the ball bearing swivel is better suited to very large fish or for trolling on big water.In most cases, a swivel will not reduce your chances of catching a fish, so when in doubt, use a swivel to prevent line twisting and the possible loss of a fish.
Should you use a swivel when walleye fishing?
Always snap swivels unless I’m using a spinner where the snap can slide out of the little groove in the wire. I like the free movement and action of a snap swivel for most lures, but I don’t like the extra hardware in front of the lure. So I usually do this. If it is made to spin then I use a swivel or snap swivel.
What size snaps for walleye?
A No. 2 size snap is popular with walleye anglers, but this size snap will slide into and damage the tip of many trolling rods. The No. 3 snap is a little larger, easier to open and it won’t stick in the tip top of trolling rods.
Do you have to troll for walleye?
Trolling is by far one of the most effective ways to target walleyes throughout much of their range. By pulling baits behind the boat, anglers can more effectively cover the vast expanses of open water that walleyes utilize in the warm water months of the year.
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.
How do you slow down a boat while trolling?
Shut Down Your Boat’s Engine(s)
With triple outboards, for example, shutting down the center engine (or leaving it in neutral) will help you troll slower. If that’s not slow enough, use just the center outboard and turn off the two outside motors. With quad outboards, try running just two motors.
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