Help me with trolling.

[Just_Bass]

I think my time is really end for shore fishing. I’d been out a couple times and can’t find a bite. The water temp here drop pretty quick should be around 60 and soon will go under.
I plan to learn some trolling method but don’t know where to start. I have 14’ jonboat with 15HP out board and 30lb trolling motor. I tried trolling a few times out with both trolling and outboard but still can’t figure it out. I tried trolling with 1/16 and 1/8 roadrunner, lipless crank.
What speed should I troll? should I use outboard or trolling motor? What kind of lure and weight? Dang too many to list, anyone wanna guide me to the right direction?

[skeetbum]

I’ve run a couple of small boats and all I can tell is how I set mine up. I mounted a transom to move the trolling motor to the front. Set it as deep as I could and tighten it some so it won’t turn, but don’t overtighten. Then turn the tm on and steer with the outboard. This keeps the boat from blowing around so bad. Usually a tension adjust on the outboard too. I troll between 1 and 1.5 and the head and color choices changes from lake to lake. I hear there’s an app for the phone that will give gps speed. That should get you started for a bit.

[CrappiePappy]

Depends on which version of "trolling" fits your situation & equipment.

Single pole trolling is fairly straightforward .... pole in hand, run trolling motor at a slow speed, run the shoreline or flats you're familiar with.
Pulling/Longline trolling ... multiple poles out the side/back, single or double baits @ a speed that keeps the baits at the depth you want to fish.
Pushing ... multiple poles out the front/sides, added weight on the main line to keep baits at the depth you want to fish, shorter length of line out vs Pulling or Longline Trolling (due to the weight added).

I single pole troll, mostly during the pre-spawn period, with a 1/16oz marabou Road Runner ... when running along spawning banks as I move from spot to spot, and cast to those "spots" (knowing there's brush/trees at those "spots", that are used for spawning beds) when I come upon them. Speed is variable, but likely around 0.3mph-0.5mph ... I'm using my casting rod for this method.

I Push jigs with 1oz weights on main line above the 2-3ft leader, usually @ around 1mph. This is done post spawn & thru the early Summer, mostly. I'm using a 4rod spread (solo) & 10-14ft rods in the spread. I can also Push crankbaits, but would use 2oz weights & 1.5-1.8mph speeds.

Fall fishing (for me) is generally done by casting to deep trees/brush (15-25fow) or vertical jigging those & around visible standing trees (esp. large Cedars in deep water). But that's usually the haunts of White Crappie. Black Crappie can be in much shallower water, and both species tend to move to the backs of creeks or in the channels of incoming creeks/rivers. Seeing Shad in the area (or on your depth finder) is a good sign, as the fish are setting up on ambush points & waiting for the Shad to move into the area (Fall migration).

[Spoonminnow]

Started trolling this year for the first time and mostly quality fish hit my medium dive crankbaits. No expert but knowing the depth is the first step for choosing the lure. I have done well as long as the lure was trolled mid-depth IE at 4' in 7-8'. Find the right size crankbait - too large even a little and no strikes. Regardless the lure trolled, speed is important. On my MK 55 # thrust, #2 seems to be just right - at least for crankbaits. A RoadRunner or Beetle Spin with 1/8 oz jig may work better using #1 speed.

Recent catch along with three others in 8':


Suggestion: cast far out behind the boat. I'm not saying the tm spooks them, but the silence as the lure passes by may make a difference. Optimal trolling lures for me has been on cloudy days and just before a cold front, not that early or late day trolling on a sunny day wouldn't work. Last Wed. the water temp was 54 degrees. I always thought fish wouldn't strike trolled lures unless the water was 60 or higher. Guess I was proven wrong along with the fact that fish were striking minnow schools and my lures at the surface.

The challenge for me is trolling different lures at different depths and hopefully find school fish ever so often.

[catchNgrease]

always thought fish wouldn't strike trolled lures unless the water was 60 or higher. Guess I was proven wrong along with the fact that fish were striking minnow schools and my lures at the surface

That would kinda be true in the spring. But in the Fall best temps for trolling is less than 60 degrees IMHO. It's all about the bait fish. Start bait presentation at 1/2 depth of water and run at .05-.07 mph. If fishing is slow start making S shaped turns noting which side the fish hit. And adjust depth according.

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[Spoonminnow]

Great advice !
Trolling is new to me but gotta say the quality of fish caught were way above the average sizes caught that day.
Man do I like seeing the rod bend way back and quiver before I can set the hook!

[Bugtussle]

I agree with previous posts that I have had the best luck trolling in the fall at water temps less than 60 degrees on cloudy days. You may also want to read the worlds longest thread, Pulling Cranks 101, a sticky on the Mississippi state forum.


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[silverside]

I single pole troll in all seasons except winter. I like sharp dropping points. I usually use the trolling motor going into the wind. The speed is set to slowly move forward against the wind. I use a double jig with 1/16 high and 1/8 low.

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