Fishing Technique Trolling

As a fishing technique trolling is another very popular method of fishing much favored by old timers, and this too is a good way to get fish, even when other types of fishing will not deliver. It takes more skill than skittering. The angler must know what kinds of lures are best under certain conditions. He must know how to ascertain at what depth the fish are feeding, and what lure, what depth, and at what speed to troll. Furthermore, ability to size up the bottom over which he trolls is also essential; for certain kinds of bottom will yield fish while others are absolutely barren. Trolling is not adapted to water that is very weedy, for then too much time is lost in freeing a fouled bait. However, if the weed tops are at least 4 ft. under the surface, then trolling may be tried with weedless baits. Small spinners with weed guards do nicely under such conditions.

Trolling Lures

Trolling lures may be roughly grouped into two different classes. In one the blades are mounted on split rings attached in turn to swivels: In the other the blades are mounted on a rigid wire shank. The first mentioned has a distinct wobbling motion. It will pay the angler to carry a good assortment of spinners; getting them in varying sizes, types, and colors. To be really good a spinner must spin even at very slow speed. The willowleaf kind of blade exerts less pull on the rod, and should be selected when large spinners are desired. The round and oval spinners may be bought in the smaller sizes, where there will be less strain on the rod.

Unless provision is made to guard against it, spinners will kink the trolling line badly. Use a trolling keel which, when attached to the line with swivels, will prevent this. It is obtainable at all tackle stores and is very inexpensive.

For lake trout the flashing, wobbling spoon is the most effective of all, and may be of nickel, nickel and copper, brass, or pearl. With spoons that are properly made you do not have to pull up your lure to find if it is performing correctly. As you hold your rod you can feel the steady throb that tells you that all is well with the spoon. When trolling on the surface put out a very long line - from 75 to 100 ft. - and proceed very slowly. Deep-running plugs often do good work in trolling and you can't beat the white plug with a red head, or a silver minnow imitation.

Trolling Tips

In trolling, you can use lures that are too heavy for fly-rod use and too light to cast with the ordinary bait casting rod. For fish that lie deep on the bottom, such as lake trout, use a three-way swivel, to one ring of which is attached a short line with a lead tied on the end. This line should be light enough so that if the lead gets fouled as you drag it along the bottom, you can break it and so free yourself without losing your lure. The artificial bait or natural minnow is, of course, attached by a line from 4- to 6 ft. long to another ring of the swivel, and the line to the rod is tied to the third. The game is to have the lure swim two or three, feet above bottom, which is where the lake trout are. Experimentation will be needed to determine how long the lure line and how long the sinker line need to be. However, for lake-trout trolling the best way to get your lure down to where they are is with a metal line, which sinks of its own weight.