Going out to catch a large predatory fish is always a thrill, but success often depends on the tactics chosen. trolling It's becoming the most logical and efficient way to get to the water, and unlike spinning fish with throws, it allows you to capture large areas while keeping the bait in constant motion at a given depth.
Many people mistakenly believe that trolling is the domain of lazy or professionals with expensive boats, but the basic principles are available to every owner of the boat. downrigger Or wobblers with the right depth, and the ability to read sonar, and it's these skills that turn chaotic water skating into a systematic trophies hunt.
In this article, we'll look at all the nuances, from the choice of motor to the subtleties of wiring at different speeds. electric motor It can be more effective than gasoline in certain situations, and it can be difficult to lose expensive gear in the snag. Preparing for the first trip requires attention to detail, and ignoring safety rules or setting up equipment can negate all efforts.
Selection and preparation of craft
The basis of successful fishing is a reliable platform. CossacksSo are modern hard-trans PVC inflatable boats, and the key requirement is stability and safe movement inside the cockpit, because you have to work with gear all the time while the boat is moving. Metal hulls give you better wind resistance, but PVC boats are quieter and more maneuverable in shallow water.
Speed control is critical. In trolling, speed rarely exceeds 3-4 km/h, and sometimes you need to go even slower. Gasoline engines at low speeds can run unstable, stall or overheat. electric motors with traction batteries or special devices to slow down, such as water jet nozzles.
⚠️ Warning: Never troll in strong side winds on a narrow, high-sided boat, which poses a high risk of tipping over, especially if you are abruptly shifting gear or changing course.
Fisherman's comfort also plays a role. Long-term exposure to water requires comfortable seats and protection from splashes. If you plan to fish alone, make sure the boat's design allows it to be safely operated with one hand while the other is occupied by a rod. anchorage on the nose and stern is a prerequisite for fixing the position when checking gear.
Equipment and navigation required
Modern trolling is not possible without electronics. The basic set includes a GPS-module sonar and a navigation mapplotter. The sonar allows you to see not only the bottom relief, but also thermocline, where the fish often stands, as well as the fish itself, if the device is sensitive enough. The GPS tracker is necessary for repeating the route: if you catch a fish at a certain point, you should be able to return to it with a meter accuracy.
Downriggers or outriggers are used to control the depth of bait immersion. downrigger It's a heavy-duty device that lowers the fishing line to a given depth with a cable, which allows you to use light baits at depths of 10, 20 or more meters, which is not available to ordinary wobblers, and outriggers spread the gear to the sides, preventing them from overlapping and expanding the strip being captured.
The table below will help you navigate the choice of the main equipment for the start:
| Type of equipment | Function | Necessity for a beginner |
|---|---|---|
| GPS sonar | Fish search and navigation | Critically important |
| downrigger | Precise entrapment | Desirable for depths >5m |
| spinning | Holding the bait | Definitely (2-4 units) |
| Unlock. | Saving the baits | Sure. |
When you buy a sonar, pay attention to the frequency of the emitter. Low-frequency emitters are better suited for trolling at greater depths, which give a less detailed but deeper picture of the bottom.
Selection of tackles: rods, coils and line
Trolling gears are different from those used for backspinning from shore. The rods must be powerful, with fast or medium-fast formation, to withstand the constant water pressure on the bait and jerks of large fish. The rod test usually varies from 40 to 100 grams, but for deep-sea fishing with a downrigger, more delicate models with a test of up to 30 grams can be used, since the load of the downrigger takes the main load.
The coils are preferable to the multiplier coils, which provide better traction, reliable friction and ease of catching. Leska It's a wicker line, because it doesn't stretch, and it doesn't stretch, and it allows you to feel even light bites at great distances and depths, and it's a monophilic line, because it's stretchable, that's not really used in trolling, except when you need to camouflage the gear in clear water.
It's important to get the fishing rod right. leash from a string or fluorocarbon must be used when catching a pike, as the teeth of a predator cut off a regular braid instantly. Leash length should be at least 20-30 cm. It is also recommended to use good quality vertebrae to prevent twisting of the fishing line, especially if you use rotating splashes.
☑️ Checking tackles before exit
Choosing baits and deepening them
The range of trolling lures is huge, but the top picks are the wobblers. For beginners, the key is the working depth specified by the manufacturer on the packaging or in the catalog. However, remember that the actual depth of the dive depends on the thickness of the fishing line, the speed of the boat and the length of the fishing line. The longer the line is released, the deeper the wobler goes.
For depths of 3-4 meters, large bladed wobblers are great. They create powerful vibrations that attract predators from a long distance. At depths of over 5 meters, it is more effective to use drowning wobblers paired with synkers (Gruils) or downriggers. Large-sized oscillating rays that mimic wounded fish when wiring slowly.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use too large baits in shallow waters, which can raise clouds of silt and frighten fish, and increase the risk of catching bottom vegetation, which will lead to loss of time and nerves.
The secret of the bait color
In cloudy weather and at depth, bright, acidic colors (salad, orange) work best, which create contrast. In clear water and a sunny day, natural, translucent tones or dark silhouettes are preferred.
Fishing tactics and wiring speed
Speed is a variable that often determines whether or not there is a stick. The optimal speed range for most predators (pike, pike, perch, perch) is between 2 and 5 km/h. However, for different species of fish and at different times of the year, preferences may vary. For example, the pike often prefers slower wiring, especially at night or in cold water, whereas active perch can attack the bait that goes at a higher speed.
There are several tactics of catching. Z-wiring It's a classic, it's a saw-like movement of a boat that allows the bait to shift its horizon, which provokes the predator to attack, and it's a classic to move along the brows, dumps and boundaries of aquatic vegetation, and it's important to keep an eye on the sounder and adjust its course so that the baits pass through the very water layers where the fish are standing.
Fan tactics are often used, where multiple tackles are released from the stern to different lengths, allowing you to catch different depths and horizons simultaneously without using downriggers, for example, near tackles go at a depth of 2 meters, medium at 4, and distant ones can reach 6 meters due to the properties of the Wobblers themselves and the length of the vacation.
The main principle of trolling is constant experimentation, and if you don't have more than 20-30 minutes at the same speed and with one bait, you need to change the speed, depth or type of wobbler.
Safety and conservation of catch
Fishing from a motorboat requires strict safety regulations. Having life jackets on each crew member is not just a formality, it is a necessity. Trolling often takes place at a distance from the shore, and falling overboard on the move can be dangerous. In addition, sharp hooks of tees flying when throwing or triggering tackles pose a real threat to the eyes and skin, so glasses and accuracy are mandatory.
Conservation of the catch is another important aspect. caught fish must be quickly removed from the water, so as not to scare the flock, and immediately placed in a kukan or a special cage attached to the side. slasher This greatly simplifies this process and reduces the risk of fish going off at the very side, so you don't have to keep large fish just on the fishing line at the side, because it can confuse all the gear.
After fishing, be sure to check the condition of the gear. Wash the coils with fresh water, especially if the fishing was conducted on salt water bodies, and dry the rods. Proper maintenance of the equipment will prolong its life and ensure that next time you will not be left without a catch due to a technical malfunction.
Which motor is better to choose for trolling: gasoline or electric?
For trolling, the ideal solution is often a combination: the main gasoline engine for the transition to the catching point and the main engine. electric motor Electric motors allow you to move at very low, stable speeds without creating noise and vibration, which is critical for shy fish. Gasoline engines at low speeds often run unstable.
Do I need a special permit for trolling?
Most regions allow trolling, but there are restrictions: Fishing with more than two hooks per person or motor fishing during spawning bans is often prohibited. Be sure to check the fishing rules for your specific body of water before leaving to avoid fines from a GIMS inspection or fish protection agency.
How to avoid overfishing when fishing with several rods?
To avoid overlap, use different lengths of fishing line for each rod (for example, 20, 30 and 40 meters). Also helps the use of outriggers that spread gear to the sides. It is important to ensure that the bait trajectories do not overlap when maneuvering the boat.
Why does the fish not bite, although the sounder shows its presence?
There are several reasons: wrong wiring speed, bait is in the wrong horizon (above or below the fish), or predator passive. Try changing the wobler to a smaller one or changing the color. Sometimes helps a sharp change in the speed of the boat (twitching with the boat), which causes the bait to make a jerk.