Trolling depth curve question?

[das speck hunter]

Trying to fine tune my presentation. On the crankbait depth charts it gives speed, amount of line out, line diameter, and lure choice. But the million dollar question is about the rod tip height from water...... Cause a tip 6" off of water level has the line meet the water at a different angle than one 3' off the drink right? Or is this something Im over thinking, like speed?

[BigRiverMarine]

Over thinking. I do agree with you though. A lower tip adds a little depth, but I figure it's not major. I've run over points and hit shallow flats and my baits started clickin bottom pretty hard while trolling, and I can take my rods and lift them over my head and get through it sometimes, but even that high I doubt it's over a foot or so difference.

[beagle man]

will not make that much difference.

[bdorman]

Cause a tip 6" off of water level has the line meet the water at a different angle than one 3' off the drink right?

The depth will be different (2.5ft in your example) but the angle will be the same. Think of it this way: Assuming the distance between the rod tip and the lure is a straight line, the angle remains the same wherever the waterline meets the line.

[M R Dux]

You're getting too technical. Just go out there and have at it and have fun.

The depth charts are just guidelines and tons of factors can change the depth the baits run. That is the main reason I choose to run line-counter reels. If one is digging at a certain depth with X amount of line out, I'll reel it up some till it runs like I want.

[Splitshot82]

Its all just approximations anyhow. Just don't try the "kneel and reel" while trolling. :D

http://www.bassmaster.com/tips/cranking-deep-paul-elias

[sparkie51]

I believe it does make a difference. I troll from the middle of April until the ice starts to form. It depends upon the size of the lip of the crankbait also. When I'm trolling I have one pole that is approx. a foot off the water and another that is close to 3 feet off the water. To obtain the same depth I have to let out more line on the higher pole. When I start to troll I cast out than make 4 sweeping movements that lets the line come off the reel. On the pole that is higher I have to make 5 sweeps to get the lure to the same depths as the other pole.

[creekslick]

I think I heard or read somewhere that the chart was made with the rod tips 18" above water.

[yikess]

I think I heard or read somewhere that the chart was made with the rod tips 18" above water.

You are correct. I emailed the author of the book and he said 18".

[das speck hunter]

Ok 18" is for the same results as the charts. I was using 8" - 12" and the question was bothering me. Thanks for the information.