Trolling has long ceased to be just a way of lazy movement on a pond with down tackles. Today it is a high-tech type of fishing, requiring deep knowledge of hydrodynamics, fish behavior and proper selection. electronicsSuccess here depends not only on luck, but also on fine-tuning the speed and depth of wiring of the baits.
Many beginners make the mistake of thinking that it is enough just to tie the Wobler to the board and give the gas. trolling It's a complex process where every element, from the type of screw to the length of the line, plays a critical role, and in this article, we'll look at all the nuances that will turn a chaotic walk through the water into an effective predator hunt.
You have to learn to read the sounder, understand the topography of the bottom, and react instantly to changing conditions. A properly tuned boat allows you to catch complex eyebrows and pits with surgical precision, delivering the bait exactly where the fish are.
Choice of craft and preparation for exit
The basis of successful trolling is the right boat, and for this type of fishing, the ideal option is considered to be the best option. metal boat They're better at quenching the wave and providing stable running, which is critical for bait play. Lightweight PVC inflatable boats are also used, but they're more sensitive to wind and require more careful handling.
In preparing the vessel, special attention is paid to the organization of space: rods must be securely fixed in holders installed on boards or transverses. Chaotically decomposed gear can lead to overflow of lines, which at best will spoil fishing, and at worst will damage expensive wobblers.
⚠️ Warning: Never place rods so that their tops are inside the cockpit. When a large fish jerks or is caught, the rod can fly out of your hands and injure those in the boat.
The most important element of the preparation is the verification transom-wheel The long, low-speed, trolling-like stroke can cause the engine to overheat if the cooling system is not functioning perfectly, and before exiting, be sure to rinse the system and make sure that the control stream is stable.
Set of tackles: rods, coils and fishing lines
You don't have light spinning for shore fishing, you need specialized spinning. troll-rodThey have a high dough and a safety margin, and they have to withstand the constant tension of the line and the water resistance that a large Wobler creates at speed.
Multiplier coils are better to choose, as they provide more accurate control over the descent of the line and have a powerful friction brake. The use of non-inertional coils is permissible only on light tackles and catching small fish, but they are less reliable when catching trophies from a swaying boat.
As the main cord, it is recommended to use a wicker line with a burst load of at least 15-20 kg. The wicker has a minimum stretchability, which allows you to clearly feel the bite and control the position of the bait at depth. Monophile fishing line is used less often, mainly as a shock leader or when fishing on deep-sea divers.
- 🎣 The rod: Length 1.8-2.4 meters, test up to 60-80 grams, build fast or extra-fast.
- 🧵 Leska: The wicker cord with a diameter of 0.16-0.22 mm, bright color for visual control.
- ⚓ Furniture: Fasteners with a vertebra, carbines with a bearing to prevent twisting.
- 🔌 Leads: Titanium or string, length 20-30 cm to protect against pike teeth.
Use bright wicker cords - they are noticeable in the water and allow you to visually monitor whether the gear is entangled behind the neighboring rod.
Navigation and bait deepening
The main task of the troller is to conduct the bait at the right depth, using various entrapment systems: downriggers, outriggers, parasailes (boats) and mintrances, the choice of equipment depends on the depths at the fishing site and the size of the proposed trophy.
downrigger It's a device with a heavy ball on a rope that holds a line, and it allows you to lower the bait to a depth of 100 meters or more, regardless of the speed of the boat, and it's the perfect tool for fishing at great depths, where the fish are standing in the bottom layers.
For medium depths, they are great. parasailes They're water resistance, so the faster the boat speed, the deeper it goes, and it's a simple, reliable solution that doesn't require any complicated setup, but it has a limit on the maximum depth.
| Type of equipment | Max. Depth. | Difficulty setting up | Best application |
|---|---|---|---|
| downrigger | 100m | High. | Deep lakes, marine trolling |
| Parasail (Cather) | 10-12 m | Low. | Rivers, reservoirs, middle horizon |
| Outrigger. | Surface. | Medium | Setting up gear |
| sinkeri | 5m | Low. | Budget option for shallow water |
When using multiple gear, it is important to follow the correct layout to avoid overlapping: the side rods should go fan, and the central ones should go strictly behind the stern. The length of the line also varies: near baits are released 20-30 meters, long baits - up to 60-70 meters.
☑️ Pre-deepening check
Speed and operation of the motor
Speed is a parameter that is often underestimated. It can be very different for different types of fish and types of baits, for example, the pike prefers slow wiring, while the pike or salmon can attack the wobblears, coming at high speed.
The optimal speed range for trolling is usually from 2.5 to 6 km / h. However, there are exceptions when you have to reduce the speed to 1.5 km / h or increase to 8-9 km / h. GPS-navigator with the function of displaying speed above the bottom (SOG).
⚠️ Warning: Don't rely on the motor speedometer or tachometer. Current, wind and wave can significantly distort the boat's real speed relative to water, which will knock off the bait game.
Low-speed engine work requires special attention to temperature. If you troll for a long time, periodically give the engine a load, increasing the speed to clear the candles and prevent the formation of a swelling. Also monitor the temperature of the cylinder head if your engine does not have a regular sensor.
Use of use electric motors For trolling, it's only possible in calm and in small bodies of water, and in large water and wind, the train will not be able to provide the stable speed and course stability necessary for high-quality wiring.
The effect of wind on speed
When trolling against the wind, the boat's real speed relative to the water will be higher than GPS shows. When you go on the wind, it will be lower. Always adjust the engine speed by focusing on the wobbler's game, not just the digits of the instrument.
Tactics of search and wiring on the terrain
Blindly winding miles across a body of water rarely works. Effective trolling is always catching on top of the topography. Your goal is to bait along the brows, dumps, navels and flooded beds, and that's where the predator waits for prey.
Use the sonar to map the bottom, and if you find an interesting depth difference, mark it in the navigator and plan your route along the structure, the ideal trajectory is to travel parallel to isobata (lines of equal depth).
When you go over a pit or a dump, it's useful to use the "snake" tactic. Move the shuttle, each time you move a few meters to cover the entire area of the prospective site. If there is a bite on one of the tracks, go back and work out this area in more detail.
- 🗺️ Scanning: Move perpendicular to the shore to find underwater ridges.
- 🔄 Shuttle: Go through the perspective point of multiple times from different sides.
- 🌊 Wind: Try trolling against the wind or wave for better control of the boat.
- 🎯 Accuracy: Use anchorages for catching point objects (stones, snags).
Security and Typical Errors
Trolling comes with certain risks, both with boating and handling gear. One of the most common mistakes is trying to free a entangled tackle on the go or without gloves. A line under load cuts the skin like a razor, and rotating tees can seriously injure the eyes.
Always carry a spare set of equipment and a tool for quick shooting of the line in case of a dead hook. Do not try to pull the "dead" load with the engine - this can lead to breakage of the lower unit or transpowder of the boat. It is better to lose the bait than damage expensive equipment.
Another common mistake is to ignore shipping rules, often in large waters where other boats ply, and always be alert and ready to quickly raise gear or change course to give way.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to wind a line on your hand or finger when you catch or release the hook. The risk of losing a limb when you jerk a boat or fish is extremely high.
Safety in trolling is a priority over trophy, and the right organization of the workplace and the use of gloves will keep you healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the minimum length of a boat for trolling?
For comfortable trolling with 2-4 rods, the minimum length of the boat should be 3.5-4 meters. On smaller boats, it will be extremely difficult to place the gear so that they do not overlap, and there will be little space for the crew.
Can you troll on a normal inflatable boat without a hard bottom?
Technically, it's possible, but it's very inconvenient. The absence of a hard keel and bottom makes the boat unstable, the rods will constantly change their angle, knocking down the Wobbles, and there's a high risk of piercing the balloon with a tee when they're caught.
How often should you change the baits when trolling?
If the fish is active, often experimenting with color and size. If there's no cool, change the wobblears every 20 to 30 minutes or when you change the type of bottom relief, the fish may ignore one color but attack another when you play the same game.
Do you need a special engine for trolling?
A special motor is not necessary, but desirable. Modern four-stroke motors with electronic throttle control system allow you to keep low speeds more accurately, but a conventional two-stroke can cope if you learn to feel its work.