Trolling. Freespool vs In Gear - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

crazywakeboarder · 08-23-2014, 03:26 PM

I was taught to troll my live bait in La Jolla in free spool mode. This works because I have a mirage drive kayak and can hold the reel with my hands.

For those who are paddling and therefore have the rod in a rod holder, are you trolling with the reel in gear?

YakDout · 08-23-2014, 03:35 PM

If you are fishing a star drag reel with a hefty greenback on the hook, you may have to put in gear with a little drag pressure. Otherwise the bait could pull your line out.

Lever drag, you want to bump up from free spool to bait.

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Iceman · 08-23-2014, 04:14 PM

panga style, with star drags and greenbacks, I have clicker on in free spool and the line pulled back and under the reel, easy to flip the line, take off clicker and put in gear.

crazywakeboarder · 08-23-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

panga style, with star drags and greenbacks, I have clicker on in free spool and the line pulled back and under the reel, easy to flip the line, take off clicker and put in gear.

Do you have a picture of how you route the line under the reel?

Widgeon · 08-23-2014, 06:30 PM

The panga style makes sense.
On my reels with light clickers, I have to keep them in gear with the drag backed off to nothing. Otherwise there's a fairly steady click, click, no boom.
I wouldn't mind seeing a pick.

taggermike · 08-24-2014, 10:46 AM

I always troll in free spool, mirage drive or paddle. Mike

Iceman · 08-25-2014, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazywakeboarder

Do you have a picture of how you route the line under the reel?

Warning! do not put the reel in gear before flipping the line off the back side or the increased drag will cost you the fish.........I have never done this but one of the ol school superstars that I shared this trick with did

kaya_one · 08-25-2014, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

Warning! do not put the reel in gear before flipping the line off the back side or the increased drag will cost you the fish.........I have never done this but one of the ol school superstars that I shared this trick with did

So that's how its done. Nice. Love this site. Thanks, Iceman.

YakDout · 08-25-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

Warning! do not put the reel in gear before flipping the line off the back side or the increased drag will cost you the fish.........I have never done this but one of the ol school superstars that I shared this trick with did

The mono/flouro doesn't get damaged on the plastic when you hook a screamer?

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YakDout · 08-24-2014, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakDout

If you are fishing a star drag reel with a hefty greenback on the hook, you may have to put in gear with a little drag pressure. Otherwise the bait could pull your line out.

Lever drag, you want to bump up from free spool to bait.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love it when I have to quote myself

crazywakeboarder · 08-24-2014, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakDout

I love it when I have to quote myself

thank you

RedondoSteve · 08-25-2014, 11:43 AM

One Rod in rod holder in free spool w/clicker, 2nd rod in hand in free spool with thumb pressure.

FlyFishinYakr · 08-25-2014, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazywakeboarder

I was taught to troll my live bait in La Jolla in free spool mode. This works because I have a mirage drive kayak and can hold the reel with my hands.

For those who are paddling and therefore have the rod in a rod holder, are you trolling with the reel in gear?

I have Talica's I plan to use!
FFY

YakDout · 08-25-2014, 03:07 PM

Rubber bands work also

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salty pirate · 08-25-2014, 03:39 PM

Forgot to mention that it would be hard know how tight to go with the star once you have a fish on

Wintersun · 09-05-2014, 02:19 PM

There are special reels that are designed for this use like the Shimano Baitrunner spinning reel that has a light drag that provides only enough resistance to keep line from being fed out and then with a flick of a lever you have the regular drag engaged.

The advantage of the Hobie is that I can troll with my thumb on the spool of a conventional reel and let a halibut for example take the bait or lure and give it time to take it fully before setting the drag.

08-23-2014, 03:26 PM	#1
crazywakeboarder Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: yorba linda Posts: 120	Trolling. Freespool vs In Gear I was taught to troll my live bait in La Jolla in free spool mode. This works because I have a mirage drive kayak and can hold the reel with my hands. For those who are paddling and therefore have the rod in a rod holder, are you trolling with the reel in gear?

08-23-2014, 04:14 PM	#3
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	panga style, with star drags and greenbacks, I have clicker on in free spool and the line pulled back and under the reel, easy to flip the line, take off clicker and put in gear. __________________

08-23-2014, 03:35 PM	#2
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	If you are fishing a star drag reel with a hefty greenback on the hook, you may have to put in gear with a little drag pressure. Otherwise the bait could pull your line out. Lever drag, you want to bump up from free spool to bait. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-23-2014, 06:30 PM	#5
Widgeon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Clairemont Posts: 175	The panga style makes sense. On my reels with light clickers, I have to keep them in gear with the drag backed off to nothing. Otherwise there's a fairly steady click, click, no boom. I wouldn't mind seeing a pick.

08-24-2014, 10:46 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I always troll in free spool, mirage drive or paddle. Mike

08-25-2014, 11:43 AM	#12
RedondoSteve Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Redondo Beach Posts: 36	One Rod in rod holder in free spool w/clicker, 2nd rod in hand in free spool with thumb pressure.

08-25-2014, 03:07 PM	#14
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Rubber bands work also Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-25-2014, 03:39 PM	#15
salty pirate Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: where the hell is Temecula Posts: 268	Forgot to mention that it would be hard know how tight to go with the star once you have a fish on

09-05-2014, 02:19 PM	#16
Wintersun Junior Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 22	There are special reels that are designed for this use like the Shimano Baitrunner spinning reel that has a light drag that provides only enough resistance to keep line from being fed out and then with a flick of a lever you have the regular drag engaged. The advantage of the Hobie is that I can troll with my thumb on the spool of a conventional reel and let a halibut for example take the bait or lure and give it time to take it fully before setting the drag.