Trolling question

[BarefootPetr]

I see a lot of threads about people trolling with 1/2 oz jigs and a soft plastic trailer. What are the ins and outs of fishing like this?

How much line do you let out?
How fast do you paddle?
Into the current? With the current? Along the current?

So far my only success trolling has been with a fly rod and the fly was essentially skimming the surface. Any help I can get would be very much appreciated.

[Yak Fish]

There's so much to discuss on this! So much that a whole book was devoted just to this topic
...and it's easily the best book ever written about Kayak Trolling the Chesapeake Bay.

[Skidsteer]

No need to overthink it really ... I just cast out a "typical" cast length and that's it. Troll around 2.7 to 3 mph. If the fish are there feeding you'll be in business. I usually go with white on one side and chartreuse on the other and then adjust based on what's getting hit.

Alan's book will give you the complete picture - definitely worth it if you're just getting started.

[Ken kayak]

Line out 100 or 200'. And speed 3.5 MPH paddle. That give you good action


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[EMSer]

There's so much to discuss on this! So much that a whole book was devoted just to this topic
...and it's easily the best book ever written about Kayak Trolling the Chesapeake Bay.

Definitely the best book to cover all aspects of this. I read the whole thing, cover to cover, when I first started fishing.

And, no Alan, I am not just sucking up....

[kitkatyaker]

Lol. nothing like plugging your book Alan; that being said, it's a great book and should answer all if not most of your questions. Weather conditions will dictate much of your decision.

[Yak Fish]

Definitely the best book to cover all aspects of this. I read the whole thing, cover to cover, when I first started fishing.

And, no Alan, I am not just sucking up....

Thanks Bruce

[Yak Fish]

Lol. nothing like plugging your book Alan; that being said, it's a great book and should answer all if not most of your questions. Weather conditions will dictate much of your decision.

LOL, I'm shameless :-)

[J.A. Veil]

I see a lot of threads about people trolling with 1/2 oz jigs and a soft plastic trailer. What are the ins and outs of fishing like this?

How much line do you let out?
How fast do you paddle?
Into the current? With the current? Along the current?

So far my only success trolling has been with a fly rod and the fly was essentially skimming the surface. Any help I can get would be very much appreciated.

You have already received several endorsement for Alan's book. I also recommend that as an excellent reference. Trolling can be simple or complicated, depending on how much effort you want to put into it. There is no single right way to troll, no perfect lure or rod for all trolling, or no ideal speed. You should start out trolling one or two lines. A 1/2-oz jighead with a paddletail is a good way to start. I began trolling years ago as I moved from one casting spot to another. I was not trolling as my primary fishing technique, but wanted to keep some lures in play as much of the time as possible. I caught a few small stripers in those days, but was not highly successful.

Later I began working on trolling as a primary fishing technique. Some of the key considerations include:
- troll where the fish are most likely to be found (general location, depth, etc).
- troll something that will look like a good meal for them (paddletails, twister tails, swimming plugs, etc.-- size and color can be important too)
- troll the lure at a speed that will keep the lure at the depth range you want (not bumping the bottom, but deep enough to get where the fish are likely to be). The amount of weight on your jighead may determine the lure depth too.
- troll at a speed that makes the lure move in a realistic manner. To some extent you can drop the lure next to your kayak and keep paddling. If you like the way it swims or wiggles, you have a good speed. That speed may change if you are going with the current or against the current.

Think about those points, read Alan's book, and most of all -- get out and practice.

When in my pedal-drive kayaks, I usually troll four lines. This morning I was trolling two lines from my paddle kayak, which has only two rod holders. I wanted to try to get a third rod in the spread, so I wedged one between my feet. I had a few bites on that rod but no caught fish. After a while I removed it from the spread because it was hard making turns.

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[mccray44]

I see a lot of threads about people trolling with 1/2 oz jigs and a soft plastic trailer. What are the ins and outs of fishing like this?

How much line do you let out?
How fast do you paddle?
Into the current? With the current? Along the current?

So far my only success trolling has been with a fly rod and the fly was essentially skimming the surface. Any help I can get would be very much appreciated.

I am in no way an expert here and you're getting advice from the right people, I have the same questions as you. I do know when I was trolling yesterday I just threw the line out a normal distance and began a normal paddle, I was using a white paddletail recommended by the members of this forum I do know I was paddling against the current when I got my hit. Not very scientific but just my 2 cents worth, I'm just starting myself.

[Yak Fish]

I am in no way an expert here and you're getting advice from the right people, I have the same questions as you. I do know when I was trolling yesterday I just threw the line out a normal distance and began a normal paddle, I was using a white paddletail recommended by the members of this forum I do know I was paddling against the current when I got my hit. Not very scientific but just my 2 cents worth, I'm just starting myself.

I'm very big on being scientific about every thing we do on the water. I really don't want anything to be arbitrary. I encourage folks to take notes because repeatability is the name of the game if consistency in catching fish is what you're after.

[fishinggod]

Alan, you crack me up!!!! but i will say the book is a great read and i learned a lot from it thats for sure. i have already recommended to several friends that live in texas and want to start trolling there for stripers. I'm positive your techniques will work in lakes as well.

[Yak Fish]

Alan, you crack me up!!!! but i will say the book is a great read and i learned a lot from it thats for sure. i have already recommended to several friends that live in texas and want to start trolling there for stripers. I'm positive your techniques will work in lakes as well.

Thanks man! Oh yeah, it doesn't matter where you fish for 'em. A striper's a striper.

[Dimo]

The logging has been huge for me after reading the suggestion in the book. I've definitely picked up on a pattern in speed, direction and changes in both, that works for me in the places I typically go to.


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[Ken kayak]

I didn't read any book. I go troll with my feeling and created my tech and get a lot striper


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