10 replies to this topic

[Cyphus]

Hey guys, so I've got some questions!

My buddy and I were up north at his trailor, fishing a really nice little lake. We got around to doing some trolling and caught a couple bass and pike. We know where the fish hang out in the lake and have a finder, but didn't have as much luck as I might have thought.

Both of us have medium heavy bait casters and lures that swim at a good depth for the lake we're in. No downriggers though.

I'm wondering if you guys have any tips of tricks? Is there an average speed or variable speed that we should be aiming for? I have to assume that speed affects the depth the lure swims at. Are there certain lures we should stay away from? I normally fish from shore, or at anchor, so trolling is a new experience!

Thanks guys!

[Liger]

Speed wise, I normaly just wing that since I have no way of tell.

 

Depth wise I use a (Dipsy Diver) they are about $15 @ crappy tire and come with a depth chart, you just have to know how much line you have out

 

Lure wise:

 

Spoons are classic trolling baits,  5 of dimonds, red and white or bright silver and gold ones. 

 

Crankbait: make your how choose here, whats the baitfish in the lake

 

Inline spinner: like the spoon but you get the spinning Blade adds thump

 

Worm or minnow harness: Deadly on most fish

[Stanley18dc]

Try trolling smaller lip lures, shad rap etc through weeds in 6 to 8 ft of water. If rod bends rip it trough the weeds and clear any weeds or enjoy fighting a fish. Works for walleye at dusk (witching hour).

[frank25]

Trolling in a small lake with deep diving crank baits? I have never came across any angler targeting bass using this method.

Trolling with deep diving lures & down riggers r for big deep lakes with clean bottom for walleye of salmon.

[Joel52]

Trolling in a small lake with deep diving crank baits? I have never came across any angler targeting bass using this method.

Trolling with deep diving lures & down riggers r for big deep lakes with clean bottom for walleye of salmon.

I troll shallows for smallies all the time - successfully. Spinner and a worm, 4-5 feet of water, slow as you can go.

[frank25]

You must know that bottom very well but to a angler not familiar with it the chances of weeds & other structures effecting ur presentation are likely & not worth using this technique. I might hear ur drag start clicking & think it's a fish then it will stop so u keep trolling not knowing a peice of weed is tangle on ur spinner & all this time ur trolling away waiting for a bite. So to me this only makes sense if u know the bottom.

[Joel52]

Fair enough, but I've done this successfully in waters I'm not familiar with as well. When you fish with braid you feel everything. With a spinner, you'll feel it spinning. If that changes it's probably a weed unless it pulls back - unmistakably a fish. Another reason to use braid is the quicker hook set. The only problem with trolling spinners is you'll inevitably wind up your line. Yet another reason to use braid. Tip it with a fluorocarbon leader. Occasionally a big northern chews it off... c'est la vie!

[McLean2016]

Anytime I'm fishing a new body of water, regardless of what I'm fishing for I use the old fashioned drift method of theirs any wind present.
Run a fish finder, Mark off any structure changes/drop offs that maybe holding fish.
You also get a feel for any dead heads, or shallow rocks. After a couple passes it's pretty safe to troll the area, you'll become more comfortable with this method the more you use it.
As for bait, I usually start with live bait. Depending on time of year, could be minnows/leeches/worms, 12" suckers.
For walleye when I drift I either jig/drop shot, and when trolling you can't beat a blue fox spinner. Second choice is homemade worm harnesses with a bottom bouncer.
Good luck, and let us know how you do!

[Bryonfromtillsonburg]

You must know that bottom very well but to a angler not familiar with it the chances of weeds & other structures effecting ur presentation are likely & not worth using this technique. I might hear ur drag start clicking & think it's a fish then it will stop so u keep trolling not knowing a peice of weed is tangle on ur spinner & all this time ur trolling away waiting for a bite. So to me this only mak7es sense if u know the bottom.

and that's the reason a fishfinder is worth every penny can learn the bottom.real quick

[frank25]

I do have a fish finder but trolling limits where u can cast ur lure plus all that time u gotta spend learning the bottom weeds effecting ur action it's too much.

@ McLean

I don't really think I'll enjoy fishing Hamilton harbor it's not my type of lake, the contaminated water,steel plant & close proximity to the city is not my type of lake. I rather spend a whole day on rice & catch nothing.

I am very much interested in fishing lake simcoe & other lakes around orillia so we can definitely hook up for that.

Also it doesn't matter how good ur technique is the most important one is finding where the fish is.

[Bryonfromtillsonburg]

Yeah I like changing up the colours I know this spring we went out to a lake tryed matching the hatch deep water shallow retrieving slow or fast played with a ton of colours sizes... For that day that's what it was after the color we rocked it and it wasn't a natural colour.