Trolling is one of the most extractive, but technically challenging ways to catch a predator on large bodies of water. Unlike the classic wiring from the shore or anchored boat, here the main propulsion is the main propulsion system. boat-engineIt's a fishery that allows you to capture vast areas in a short time, and the success of this fishing depends not so much on luck, but on the right equipment and understanding of hydrodynamics.
Many beginners make the mistake of thinking that it is easy to tie a Wobler to a fishing line and turn on the motor. In practice, this leads to constant overlap, tackle breakdowns and zero catch. Effective fishing requires a comprehensive approach that includes navigation, depth control and specific equipment.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the organization of the process, from the choice of boat to the fine settings of the release of baits. Competent training will allow you not just to ride on the pond, but purposefully to produce trophy specimens of pike, perch and catfish.
Choice of watercraft and motor requirements
The fundamental factor of success is choosing the right boat. metal boat Or reinforced plastic models with a wide cockpit and flat bottom, narrow PVC inflatable boats are less convenient because they require additional racks for rods and are more difficult to control when moving sideways to the wave.
The power of the engine must correspond to the displacement of the vessel. For comfortable trolling on large rivers and reservoirs, the optimal range is from 5 to 15 hp It is important that the motor has the ability to operate at low speeds without deafening, since the wiring speed often does not exceed 2-3 km / h.
⚠️ Attention: Prolonged movement at minimum speeds can lead to overheating of the engine and the formation of scorching on candles. Periodically let the engine work at higher speeds for self-cleaning.
The key element of management is transformer Or a ramp with precise traction control, and if your motor doesn't allow you to change your speed smoothly in a narrow range, you'll have to switch gears often, which will inevitably knock off the bait line. Spot-Lock They are also becoming popular for precise positioning.
Navigation and depth control
You can't effectively troll by going random. The main appliance on board becomes the one that's the main appliance on board. sounder It allows you to see the topography of the bottom, the eyebrows, the pits and the presence of the thermocline, and without understanding the underwater topography, the bait wiring becomes chaotic.
Modern echo sounding systems, such as Garmin, Lowrance or HumminbirdThey have LiveScope, which allows you to see the fish in real time, so that you can adjust the course of the boat so that the bait passes directly above the predator's parking lot, but even the basic model with a GPS tracker significantly improves performance.
It's important to adjust the sensor sensitivity and the speed of the screen refresh, and when the boat is moving, the picture on the screen should be clear, without blurring, and this often requires manual adjustments to the sonograph settings depending on the speed of movement and the transparency of the water.
What is a thermocline and why is it important?
Thermoclin is a water layer where the temperature changes dramatically, predators often stand at the edge of that layer because it concentrates oxygen and feed base, and finding the thermoclin with a sounder with a temperature sensor is the key to catching in the heat.
Using a GPS navigator, you can remember catchy routes, and once you've taken a good track and saved the track, you can walk that path to within a meter in the future, which is especially true at great depths.
Equipment: rods, coils and lines
Trolling tackles are subjected to enormous loads, much higher than those that occur in spinning fishing. The rod should be powerful, with a test of 40 to 100 grams or more. The optimal length of the form is 2.1 to 2.4 meters. Longer sticks are uncomfortable in the boat and create sailing.
The coils are used exclusively multiplierThey provide better traction and reliability when catching large fish. The gear ratio must be low (e.g. 4:1 or 5:1) to be able to slowly pick a line and push the depth. The non-inertial coils in serious trolling are practically not used due to the weak stacking of the line under load.
The main cord is a minimum stretchable wicker, which is necessary for clear transmission of vibration from the wobbler and instant cutting, but at greater depths or when fishing for pike, sometimes a monophilic fishing line or fluorocarbon is preferred, which have less sailing and are better immersed.
☑️ Checking tackles before exit
Holiday system and downriggers
And you can use a device to wiring multiple baits at the same time and then bury them on the right horizon. outrigger They're rods that allow you to spread the baits sideways, avoid overlapping, and they're attached to the side of a boat or to a transom.
For deep fishing, especially by pike, are indispensable downriggersThese are heavy-duty devices on a cable that are attached to the main line through the clip, and the cargo is lowered to a specified depth, allowing you to conduct wobblers at 10, 20 or even 40 meters, regardless of the speed of the boat and the sailing line.
The alternative to downriggers is synkers and gliders, and the synker is placed in front of the bait and pulls it to the bottom, and when it bites, it uncouples it, allowing it to catch fish without weight, while the gliders move the fishing line away from the diametric plane of the boat.
| Type of equipment | Max. Depth. | Difficulty of installation | Principal appointment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outriggers | Depends on the vacation. | Low. | Side-baiting |
| Downriggers | Up to 100+ meters | High. | Precise deep fishing |
| Sinkers | Up to 15 meters. | Medium | Budgetary indentation |
| Gliders | Depends on the vacation. | Medium | Increased catch area |
Choosing troll baits
Not all wobblers are suitable for trolling, the main requirement is stable play at low speeds (from 1.5 to 4 km / h) and the ability to hold the stream. Minnow and Shad With their own active play, they show better results.
Small-water wobblers (up to 2 meters) often have a short wide blade, while deep-sea ones have a long narrow blade that leads the bait to the bottom. It is important to have a stock of different models, as predator preferences change throughout the day.
The color of the bait also plays a role: in clear water and in good light, natural acid or natural colors work, in murky water or at depth, bright, contrasting colors are more effective with noise chambers inside, creating acoustic vibrations.
When fishing on the current, use wobblears with a narrower body and less sailing, otherwise they will be constantly thrown to the surface, and they will be lost from the game.
wiring tactics and fish search
Wiring speed is critical. Pike is optimal for 2-3 km/h, perch is optimal for 2.5-3.5 km/h, and catfish can respond to slower wiring. Experiment with speed: sometimes adding as little as 0.5 km/h changes the number of bites.
You can find fish by shuttle or rolling your eyebrows. You can keep the baits at different depths as you go along the dump, and you can get one at the bottom, you can get another at the bottom, you can get a third at the surface, and you can quickly figure out the horizon of the predator.
When licking, it's important not to panic. If a large fish bites, drop the gas, but do not turn off the engine completely so as not to lose control of the boat in the wind. It is better to catch the fish carefully pulling the fish to the board, trying not to confuse the neighboring gear.
⚠️ Warning: When catching large fish, never get on board the boat. A sharp jerk of the trophy can cause the boat to roll and fall into the water. Stay on the seats or knees in the center of the cockpit.
The effectiveness of trolling increases when used combinations of different types of wiring: alternating straight-line motion with short stops or accelerations (stop-and-go) often provokes a predator to attack, and the boat describes a smooth arc that changes the angle of attack of the wobbler.
The key to trolling is constant sounder monitoring and flexible speed change, and fish rarely stand still, and your job is to adjust the wiring to its current mood and position.
What is the minimum speed a trolling boat can develop?
The optimal minimum speed for trolling is about 1.5-2 km/h. Below this threshold, most Wobbles stop playing, and the boat can become uncontrollable in the wind. However, there are special lures that work at speeds of about 1 km/h, but this is more of an exception.
Do you need a special engine for trolling?
A special motor is not required, but it is desirable. Any gasoline engine with a good idling range or an electric motor will do. The main requirement is the ability to keep low speeds at a steady pace without jerking. Gasoline engines often require the modification of the propeller or the installation of additional stress on the ramp to fix low thrust.
Can trolling be used on rivers with strong currents?
Yes, but the technique changes. In strong currents, we often use demolition or counter-current fishing at very low speeds. It's important to consider that the actual wiring speed of the bait is made up of the speed of the boat and the speed of the current. The sonar in these conditions shows the speed relative to the bottom, which helps control the process.