Trolling is one of the most effective and gambling ways to capture predatory fish, based on towing the bait behind a moving swimmer. Unlike classical spinning, where the angler relies on throwing and wiring with a rod, here the main job is done. boat-engineThis method allows you to explore vast areas, catch complex bottom reliefs and find active flocks of pike, pike or catfish that are difficult to access when fishing.
The success of the event depends on proper training of equipment and understanding of the behavior of fish in different conditions. You will need not just a boat with an engine, but also competently tuned gear that allows you to control the position of the bait in the water column. ElectronicsA GPS-based sounder becomes an integral part of the arsenal, turning chaotic wandering into a purposeful search.
Many beginners mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply tie a wobler and swim, but professional fishing requires compliance with many nuances. depth So, we're going to go to the speed of wiring, and each of these parameters has an impact on performance, and let's go through how to make your boat an efficient platform for trophy mining.
Choosing a boat and preparing for the water
The foundation of successful trolling is a reliable and sustainable platform, and for this type of fishing, it is suitable as an inflatable platform. PVC boats It's a hard-floorboard boat, a metal boat or a plastic boat, and the main requirement is that you can safely place multiple rods and run at low speeds. Inflatable models are valued for their transportability, but when you have high winds or waves, they can drift, which complicates the exact wiring.
A critically important element is cross-board The boat should be equipped with reliable holders that will withstand the jerks of large fish and will not allow gear to fall overboard when rolling, and it is also necessary to ensure that the anchor shaft is of sufficient length so that you can stand on the stretch against the current or wind if you need to replace the bait or release the hook.
⚠️ Warning: Never wind a fishing line on your hand or finger when trolling! The jerking of a large pike or catfish can lead to serious injuries or even loss of a limb.
The angler and equipment should be ergonomic, you need to get to the gear quickly, without getting up sharply and without disturbing the balance of the boat, often using a scheme where the rods are fixed on the sides or on the stern, and the angler sits in the center, controlling the process. Security On the water - priority number one, so the presence of life jackets and first aid kits is mandatory.
Equipment: rods, coils and lines
The specifics of trolling fishing dictate their requirements for the choice of sticks. The rods must have a sufficient margin of safety, but still retain sensitivity for the registration of bites. The optimal test range is from 20 to 60 grams, although deep-sea trolling on the catfish may require more powerful forms. The length of rods usually varies between 2.1 and 2.4 meters, which is convenient for placement in a boat.
Coils are used mainly multiplier, as they have a high traction force and reliable friction. Non-inertional coils They're also applicable, especially for pike fishing, but they require a good line, and the spools must have enough cords to allow you to maneuver when you're fishing a large trophy, and the front friction is less convenient, so you're more likely to choose rear brake models.
As the main working cord used braid (PE) with a burst load of 15 to 30 kg Monophile fishing line is used less often, mainly to create the effect of stretchability when catching careful fish, but it has the ability to stretch, which worsens control over the bait. A wicker cord allows you to feel better touches of the bottom bait and soil structure.
- 🎣 For pike, fast rods with a test of up to 40 g and bright colors of wobblers are optimal.
- 🐟 For pike and berch requires tougher forms and the use of deep-sea crotch or silicone on jig heads.
- 🐉 Catfishing involves the use of powerful rods with a test of 100 g and durable cords.
Don't forget about the leashes. Pike easily bites a regular fishing line, so use string or a fluorocarbon leash at least 0.4 mm thick is mandatory. For perch and perch, thinner options can be used, but the strength of the connection must be guaranteed.
Electronics: sonar, navigator and downscanner
Modern trolling is impossible without a high-quality sonar, which allows you not only to see the bottom, but also to notice the fish, and also to monitor the position of the bait. Basic models at 200 kHz show the presence of fish, but to study the structure of the bottom and the behavior of the bait requires two-beam sonars or models with technology. Down Imaging and Side Imaging.
The key is that you can map the arcs of the fish and separate the signals from the bottom and the bait, and if you see a Wobler sounder on the screen cruising a meter above the bottom and a fish swimming nearby, your chances of success increase dramatically. GPS-navigator with the function of building tracks allows you to return to catchy points ("Peaters") with an accuracy of up to a meter, which is critical when catching local anomalies.
⚠️ Warning: Don't blindly rely on the sounder. The cone beam can be distorted, so always double-check the fish by re-passing or changing the angle of scan.
Using a downscanner (side scan) gives you a picture comparable to aerial photography of the bottom, you see driftwoods, rocks, eyebrows and even bait lying at the bottom, which helps you avoid hooks and accurately position the wobblears in the right horizontal. Synchronization of the sonar with the depth map It allows you to plan the route in advance, choosing the optimal depth for the target fish.
Trolling is also useful for water temperature sensors, as predators often stand at the edge of the thermocline, and a combination of temperature, depth and terrain data gives a complete picture of what is happening under the water.
Tactics of placing tackles and deepening of baits
One of the main tasks of the troller is to correctly place the baits to avoid overlapping and catching different water horizons at the same time. There is a classic layout that allows you to effectively use the space behind the stern of the boat. The baits are arranged by a fan, with the ones closest to the boat going higher and the ones farther - deeper.
There are different methods to bury the Wobbles, and the simplest is to use long-toed crotches that dive on their own, but for deep waters (5-10 meters or more), one blade size is not enough. sluggerThey're synkers and minigliders, and they let you lower the bait to the right depth without losing the game.
☑️ Checking the gearing
A typical arrangement scheme for three rods looks like this: two side rods with a long line release (40-60 meters) and one central with a short vacation (15-20 meters). The side baits go wider and often deeper, the central one - higher, so as not to be confused with the side ones when cornering.
| Type of bait | Method of deepening | Working depth | Target fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wobler-crank | Own blade | 1.5 - 4 metres | Pike, bass. |
| Wobler minnow + synker | The bait-bearing slug | 4 - 8 meters | Sudak, bersch |
| Silicone on a jig head | Heavy head/glider | 6 - 12 meters | Catfish, big punk. |
| Splash-flop | A sheer flare in motion | 2 - 6 meters | Pike, trout. |
As you increase the speed, the wobler rises, as you decrease it sinks, and this should be taken into account when passing areas with different terrains.
Speed of wiring and search for active fish
The speed of the boat is a critical parameter that affects the game of bait and the appetite of the predator. For most Wobbles, the optimal speed range is from 2.5 to 4.5 km / h. However, these values can vary depending on the model of the Wobbler, the strength of the current and the activity of the fish. Sudak Often prefers slower wiring, while the pike can attack at higher speeds.
The fish is searched for by shuttle or by fan fishing of perspective points. When you move along a brow, a dump or an underwater ridge, you comb through different depths. If you don't bite for 15 to 20 minutes, it's advisable to change the wiring horizon or the type of bait. Often, changing the color or size of the wobbler will bring instant results.
The Secret of the Lazy Predator
Sometimes the fish stand still and don't want to chase, and in these cases, stop-and-go is a good way to stop the boat for a short time, followed by a sharp acceleration, and a falling or abruptly changing trajectory of the bait provokes an attack even by a passive predator.
Use of use GPS trackers It allows you to pick up the bites, and if you go down the hot track several times with little bias, you can pinpoint the pack, and you need to consider the direction of the wind and the current, because often the fish are head-to-head, and the boat's approach against the current makes the bait more natural.
Don't be afraid to experiment with speed. Sometimes increasing the speed to 6-7 km / h when catching pike in shallow water gives a better result than slow wiring. Watching the reaction of fish on the sonar will help to adjust tactics in real time.
When you're fishing in the current, the speed of the boat relative to the bottom is made up of the speed of the motor and the flow rate. When you go against the current, you go slower relative to the bottom than the speedometer shows, and vice versa.
Removal and typical mistakes of beginners
The fish catching when trolling has its own peculiarities, as the boat continues to move, and the fishing line is in tension. When pecking, you need to immediately release the gas and, if possible, switch to neutral. Abrupt stop can cause the inertia of the fish to descent or break the gear.
You should let the fish down carefully, choosing the slack of the line and working as a rod. If the fish is large, it is better to use it. sucker Or a bucket to keep the trophy from damaging the lips and missing it at the side, and remember that a tired fish on the side of the boat can make a final jerk, so be prepared.
- 🚫 Mistake 1: Using too rough tackles "just in case," making the bait game unnatural.
- 🚫 Mistake 2: Ignoring the weather: In calm, a predator may be more careful than in windy ripple weather.
- 🚫 Mistake 3: No yawning and no extractor, and it's deadly and uncomfortable to pull hooks out of the mouth of a pike or pike with your hands.
A common mistake is to misalign the friction, which must be tight enough to cut through the fish when cut, but weak enough to pass the line when a strong jerk is made, and it is better to check the friction before fishing, tying the cord to a stationary object.
⚠️ Attention: When catching catfish, do not try to drag it into the boat with your hands. A huge mass of fish can flip a light boat. Use a kukan or immediately silence the fish if you plan to take the catch.
The main secret of trolling is constant monitoring of the bait position and readiness for an instant reaction to changes in the behavior of the fish or the bottom relief.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the minimum power of the motor required for trolling?
A powerful motor is not required for trolling. 2-5 hp is enough, since the main speeds are 3-5 km / h. However, to reach a point and overcome strong wind or current, a power reserve is desirable, so the optimal choice will be a 5-9.9 hp engine with the ability to work at low speeds.
Can you catch trolling in the ban on motors?
During spawning, motors are often restricted or prohibited in water bodies. However, GIMS regulations and fishing regulations may vary. In some cases, electric motors are allowed. Always check the current legislation for a particular water body before leaving.
How to avoid cross-lined fishing when using 3-4 rods?
To avoid overlap, use outriggers or simply keep the rods at different heights and angles, and let the fishing line go at different lengths: near left, near right, far left, far right, and also helps with gliders that spread baits to the sides.
Which echoer is better to choose for a novice trollingist?
Any two-beam sonar with a 4-inch screen and GPS is a good starter. Brands like Garmin, Humminbird or Lowrance have models that do a great job at basic tasks. It's more important to learn to read the sonar than to have super-expensive features.