organized trolling

[Yak Fish]

How do you guys keep from getting tangled up while trolling...or more specifically when you catch a fish. Whenever I've gone it's been on a boat so everyone is responsible for a rod when a fish is on.

Plugs will probably float to the surface which will keep those lines out of the way, but parachutes will sink creating a land mine waiting for your fish to tangle.

[ictalurus]

Actually, floating plugs can be trouble, too. I stupidly stopped while trolling two floating plugs because one caught a fish. The other one caught my rudder, and the Mirage drive. So I would recommend not stopping when a fish hits one lure. I don't know how you keep the fish from tangling the other line, though.

[crawdad]

I troll one line further with the heavy lure" goes deeper" , lighter lure, mid depth lure not too far out so I can try to wrangle it in for any reason.The pole inserts in the kayak seperate the line distances pretty good, just have to watch when you are turning the kayak one doesn't cross the other.

[DOGFISH]

Organized Trolling, Disorganized Fish

The one possible way is to keep moving and wind in the rod without the fish first. Then bring in your fish. If you are a paddle kayaker that is difficult. This may even fail on occasion. I use an electric motor, so I usually keep going and fight the fish. Sometimes the other rod will get a second fish, as rockfish tend to school. Then things really get crazy. Even with the electric motor some fish will get into the other line. I use scotty rod holders up front. They hold the rods out like outriggers. I am now using 7.5' rods to get even greater separation. Sometimes the tangles are going to happen. The fish just seem to find those other lines. It even happens on boats. If you don't clear those other lines, sometimes a fish is going to get into the lines. The different thing with boats is that they tend to put more pressure on the fish to keep them more straight out back. Kayaks are a little different. Other saltwater fish create even more problems by lateral movement. Striped bass are not as scrappy as some.

Floating plugs and crankbaits create just as much of a problem. Its the line in the water that is the problem. While you bring the fish in, at some point the fish will be at the level of the other line that is in the water. Sometimes that other line is at an angle, similar to that of the fish. If the fish gets off towards the side, the tangle begins. The only sure solution is to troll with only one line. However, that is not going to happen to me. The second line is just a necessary evil. Keep a sharp knife handy. If the tangle is serious, save your day and cut it out.

The different depth and weight of lure thing works to a degree. However, those line may still intersect at some point. Just don't make sharp turns. Most of the time the problem occurrs when a fish in on.

[Yak Fish]

I was going to try trolling 4 lures. That sounds like a birds nest according to what you guys are saying. I have 2 rod holders that point straight outward and the other two point backward. I thought that would keep enough separation, but I guess I should be prepared if I try that.

[surfdog]

ive learned a couple years ago for me trolling 2 lines is a headache. if you get a fish on 1 getting to other in before fighting your fish, if both get hit you better have your rods leashed. tangling braid is a nightmare. now i troll 1 and have 1 ready to cast once the 1 on the trolling rod is in the boat, i'll cast back and go for another with a buck or spoon

[DOGFISH]

I was going to try trolling 4 lures. That sounds like a birds nest according to what you guys are saying. I have 2 rod holders that point straight outward and the other two point backward. I thought that would keep enough separation, but I guess I should be prepared if I try that.

You are asking for a mess, with four rods. Two rods is tuff enough. Remember, the beam on even an 18 ft boat is about 6'. The width of most SOT kayaks is about 28-34 inches.

[Yak Fish]

You are asking for a mess, with four rods. Two rods is tuff enough. Remember, the beam on even an 18 ft boat is about 6'. The width of most SOT kayaks is about 28-34 inches.

I know, but I've two 7.5' rods out to the sides (I even have a 10' and an 9'), giving me about 15'-20' width. Hmmm...maybe two to the sides and leave one trailing in the center...shallow and far back.

[DOGFISH]

Your the man. Good luck.

[surfdog]

LOL have fun getting that knot out

[Yak Fish]

I practiced trolling one umbrella rig while I was out today. I was surprised that it didn't seem to slow me down that much. However, when I grabbed it from the rod holder it had a ton of drag on it which made it difficult to manage...I can only imagine if I actually had a fish on. This is a challenge I'd be excited to figure out.

You guys may be right though. However, I'm hard headed so I'll learn the hard way.