Open Water Trolling - Part 1

Introduction: Open water trolling has proven to be the single most effective lure presentation while fishing open bodies of waters such as the great lakes. Many of these techniques have proven to be very productive as well on inland waters. During this lesson we will be covering the key components necessary to increase the odds of locating, contacting and catching more and bigger walleye. Equipment, lure selection and depth control are the key elements that require a great deal of attention to detail.

Equipment

Rods / Reels: Specific rod and reel combinations are designed for specific applications while trolling open water. It is critical to use a quality line counter reel to precisely place your lure at the proper depth. Look for a product that has a smooth drag, comfortable profile and an accurate line counter integrated into the body of the reel. Line counter reels work universally with all trolling rods and presentations. Rod selection is specific to the application or presentation. When using in line planer boards an eight to nine foot IM6 or composite graphite / fiber glass rod with medium action should be used. The same rods work well while using a tow mast and dual / triple ski system. When trolling with disc divers or jet divers nine to ten foot fiberglass medium action rods work the best.

Rod Holders: Due to the stress or "loading" while trolling with in line planer boards or disc divers quality rod holders are necessary. Rod holders are available in a variety styles and composition. The most common are plastic or metal, cradle or tube type. It is important that the rod holder and mounting base are strong enough to with stand the load placed on them while trolling speeds in excess of 3 miles per hour. Often it is necessary to reinforce the gunwale of the boat under the mounting base to insure the rod holders are secured properly. Finally, select a rod holder that rotates and pivots both horizontally and vertically, enabling rods to be adjusted to the proper angle or stagger preventing lines from crossing.

Trolling Motor(s): Electric trolling motors and or four stroke kicker motors are necessary equipment in order to achieve precise trolling speeds. If your boat is equipped with a four stroke main engine you may not require a kicker motor providing you can achieve speeds as slow as .5 miles per hour. It may be necessary to use a sea anchor (drift bag) with high horse power four stroke motors to achieve slow speeds. Bow-mount electric trolling motors work best and can be used in conjunction with kicker or main motors to fine tune speed and course. Make sure the trolling motor batteries are fully charged before each outing.

Electronics: It is extremely important to select a sonar that has high resolution as well as the adequate power necessary to identify forage and fish throughout the water column. Being able to identify the thermocline on a body of water will play an important role in your success as well. Select a unit that you are comfortable with operating and become proficient in using all of its functions. In addition to being able to see forage and fish at specific depths it is equally important to maintain precision speed and course over ground. A quality GPS system will accurately display the essential information necessary to consistently achieve success.

Planer Boards: There are two basic planer boards available for open water trolling, in line planer boards and tow mast planer boards. Both planer board systems are designed to troll multiple lines spaced apart from one another away from both sides of the boat. Due to the improved water clarity of the great lakes this enables you to present lures to suspended fish without spooking them. Planer boards also allow you to cover a substantial amount of water at different depths on each trolling pass. In line planer boards attach directly to your fishing line with snaps or clips. When a fish strikes your lure the planer board signals the strike by falling back out of formation in a slow, deliberate manner or shaking violently depending upon the nature of the strike. Pay close attention to the "formation" of the planer boards, any change typically indicates a fish has been contacted. When a strike is detected it is generally not necessary to set the hook, simply remove the rod from the rod holder keeping pressure on the fish as you reel in a smooth fashion. If the fish makes a run, stop reeling and keep pressure on the fish. Let the drag do its job and do not attempt to "horse" the fish. When the planer board reaches the boat, within four to six feet of the rod tip, remove the planer board while maintaining a tight line and complete the landing process. Tow mast planer boards are attached with heavy nylon line to a mast mounted near the front of the boat. Fishing lines are attached to snap releases and looped over the towline with a shower curtain type clip. Lines are spaced fifteen to twenty feet apart on the towline. When a fish strikes the lure the fishing line pulls out of the release and clears the other lines. Remove the rod from the rod holder and play the fish as required.

Questions and Answers

1. What should trolling rod selection be based upon? Rod selection is specific to the application or presentation.

2. What are the primary uses of electronics? In addition to being able to see forage and fish at specific depths it is equally important to maintain precision speed and course over ground.

3. What three features should be considered when selecting line counter reels? Look for a product that has a smooth drag, comfortable profile and an accurate line counter integrated into the body of the reel.

4. Why are electric and or kicker motors important for open water trolling? Electric trolling motors and or four stroke kicker motors are necessary equipment in order to achieve precise trolling speeds.

5. How do in line planer boards signal a strike? When a fish strikes your lure the planer board signals the strike by falling back out of formation in a slow, deliberate manner or shaking violently depending upon the nature of the strike.