Tips for trolling artificials?

[Dave Legacy]

Hey All,

I'm seeking some advice on trolling. I've been attempting to troll a 1oz kroc off the back of my kayak from a rod mounted in a flushmount behind my seat (vertical orientation). I'm finding that the kroc will start skipping along the surface while underway. It seems like no matter how long I let it sink before getting moving it still reaches the surface. I attempted to use a 4" swimbait and 1/2oz leadhead instead, which seemed to have slightly better results, but not that much improved.

Am I not using enough weight? Not letting out enough line? Incorrect type of lure? Lastly, should I troll in freespool w/clicker or in gear with light drag?

Best regards,

Dave

[fishnfoool]

what kind of fish are you trolling for and what depths

[Dave Legacy]

Originally Posted by fishnfoool

what kind of fish are you trolling for and what depths

I'm fishing completely blind, no depth finder, so at this point my expectations have been bonito or cuda. However, I'd like to learn how to troll at varying depths. Right now I'm just trying to get a feel for, and understand, a new-to-me technique.

[King Saba]

I'm in the same boat as you Dave. My Fish Finder has yet to arrive so I fished blind last time at Dana. I've trolled Kroc knock offs before and a slower speed yielded more results. The fish didn't care too much for a mad paddling speed nor a moderate one either. Slower seemed better. The best thing I found though was just casting and retrieving along kelp patties as the cuda and bones should be under those. Like everyone else I'm always learning about our coastal fishery, and this is what I learned on my last trip.

[TJones]

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

I'm fishing completely blind, no depth finder, so at this point my expectations have been bonito or cuda. However, I'd like to learn how to troll at varying depths. Right now I'm just trying to get a feel for, and understand, a new-to-me technique.

I have hooked all kinds of fish using the large spoon .I have gotten into large cuda boils and hooked them one after another , I have hooked large calicos dragging them over kelp , I have even hooked bones after they stole all my live bait using this spoon. This spoon will have also serve for catching macs or bait . The smaller spoon should get you down if you let out enough line ? Slowing the pace down might do the trick . These fish will have no problem grabbing the larger spoons. I have even hooked a large yellow trolling the tady 45 , while trying to shake the dogs from eating my lively ones. Needless to say, big grumpy was waiting for my prize after the fish stopped making his initial run . Tight lines.

[Murray]

Thought I would post this as it took me quite awhile to eliminate squeaky mirage drive and that others may be experiencing the same problem. After several 7 hr trips the squeak was pretty much driving me crazy. I have an old v1 drive so it was time to update with turbo fins. Worked out great. Had a chain break so put on all new chains figuring the others were probably going to fail sooner than later. Can not remember when the squeak actually began, but not too much longer after upgrades. Had the drums replaced as it appeared they had worn and were hitting the idler pulley. Next trip went well but then it came back. Finally disassembled the entire drive and serviced it. Noticed that one of the chains was a bit sticky so loosened and lubed. Cause may have been chain or that entire unit needed to be serviced. Also added nylon washers to protect drums from wearing on spine. Not that big a deal to service and it sure makes drive silky smooth and easier to pedal. Also good to know how it works in case you need to make on the water adjustments or repairs. Will be taking drive out of yak and securing before launching and landings to keep sand out in the future. Good luck and happy pedaling.

[alanw]

I don't go out to troll anything but I usually have something in the water while I'm on the move from place to place. I've had good luck with Luckycraft lures which stay a few feet down, and swimbaits with 3/4oz or more heads. If I'm making good speed then Waxwing lures work well as they stay a few feet down and require some speed to swim well. I'm sure Crocs would be fine on a slow paddle. Crank baits (Rapalas) would work well too and you can try different swim depth models. You can also try switching up line sizes and types as that affects drag and floatation too.

[tacmik]

Instead of putting the rod in the rod holder. Try tucking the butt end under your leg. Rod is now in a low horizontal position instead of upright.

[2-Stix]

Originally Posted by alanw

I don't go out to troll anything but I usually have something in the water while I'm on the move from place to place. I've had good luck with Luckycraft lures which stay a few feet down, and swimbaits with 3/4oz or more heads. If I'm making good speed then Waxwing lures work well as they stay a few feet down and require some speed to swim well. I'm sure Crocs would be fine on a slow paddle. Crank baits (Rapalas) would work well too and you can try different swim depth models. You can also try switching up line sizes and types as that affects drag and floatation too.

I do the same quoted above. Deep dive rapalas and lucky crafts. Live bait or 5" 1oz swim baits.

[PescadorPete]

I use a cheap Home Depot Tarp Clip tied on the hull and close to waterline. Less expensive than an outrigger release clip. Rod in holder, line runs down and into the clip. Keeps it close to water and it pops out of the clip on a strike. I usually troll small Rapalas Sinking Magnums #11 and big Krocs with good luck.

I like that rubber band trick, I'll have to give it a try.

[alanw]

I don't use flush mount holders or rocket launchers. Clips or rubber bands I think would put my line too close to the yak and possibly chafe the line or get tangled on something. I use Scotty rod holders set to a horizontal position out and away from the yak. My rod tip is about a foot off the water and six feet out off the side. This way I can watch the rod tip as I paddle and adjust my speed to see the lure action. I can also turn the yak a bit without having the line going under the back of my yak, which would be a bad idea with a rudder. Sometimes I run two rods off opposite sides of my yak which puts the lines about 14 feet apart to help prevent tangles.

[TJones]

Originally Posted by Murray

Thought I would post this as it took me quite awhile to eliminate squeaky mirage drive and that others may be experiencing the same problem. After several 7 hr trips the squeak was pretty much driving me crazy. I have an old v1 drive so it was time to update with turbo fins. Worked out great. Had a chain break so put on all new chains figuring the others were probably going to fail sooner than later. Can not remember when the squeak actually began, but not too much longer after upgrades. Had the drums replaced as it appeared they had worn and were hitting the idler pulley. Next trip went well but then it came back. Finally disassembled the entire drive and serviced it. Noticed that one of the chains was a bit sticky so loosened and lubed. Cause may have been chain or that entire unit needed to be serviced. Also added nylon washers to protect drums from wearing on spine. Not that big a deal to service and it sure makes drive silky smooth and easier to pedal. Also good to know how it works in case you need to make on the water adjustments or repairs. Will be taking drive out of yak and securing before launching and landings to keep sand out in the future. Good luck and happy pedaling.

but this is way off target . . like i said , i've done my share . who am i to judge ?

[Phishphood]

Not sure how it would work for big fish but I've stuck the but of the rod under my left leg with the tip off the right side of the yak.

[Dave Legacy]

Sounds like I have a couple things working against me, but I do believe I understand what I'm doing incorrectly. I'm probably paddling too quickly, orienting my rod tip too high for non-diving lipped hardbaits, and possibly not using enough weight. Thanks for the tips, y'all.

[h2ofishfo]

Not enough weight for sure u can use a Carolina style set up to get it deeper but u will lose the feel and not know when it's not swimming right . My advice to u is buy a umbrella rig works great bass bonies halibut if u fish it just off the bottom

[Hunters Pa]

Loop a rubber band from your reel handle around the outgoing line and back to the reel handle. This will take down the entry of the line to the water and help prevent surface skipping

[Shimano Penn]

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

Loop a rubber band from your reel handle around the outgoing line and back to the reel handle. This will take down the entry of the line to the water and help prevent surface skipping

X2

And if you want to leave the reel in freespool (clicker on) tie a floss loop onto the line and clip IT with the rubber band. Especially useful when trolling a live bait.

Edit: Try to use the lightest rubber band you can get away with