Modern fishing has long ceased to be just sitting with a fishing rod on the shore waiting for an accidental kick. Today it is a high-tech process where success depends on the right equipment, knowledge of the reservoir and the chosen tactics. One of the most effective methods of hunting and catching a predator is trolling, which allows you to catch huge areas, finding active fish where other methods are powerless.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of trolling on a motorized boat, based on proven video materials and the experience of professionals. You will learn how to adjust the gear correctly, choose the optimal speed of wiring and interpret the sonar readings. trolling It requires not only a watercraft, but also a deep understanding of the predator’s behavior in different layers of water.
We will look at specific examples of tooling, analyze typical mistakes of beginners and answer questions that arise from everyone who sees for the first time. downrigger or outriggerPrepare to dive into a world where a boat is transformed into a mobile fishing platform, and video analysis helps avoid mistakes that take years for others to make.
Choosing a boat and motor for trolling
The basis of successful trolling fishing is the right boat, and comfortable fishing with multiple spinnings requires not only stability on the wave, but also sufficient width of the cockpit. Aluminum boats large PVC Hard bottom (HBD) is the most popular option, and it is important that the design allows the rod holders to be securely attached and is available to accommodate the crew without the risk of confusing the tackle.
A trolling motor must have a power reserve to carry the load and resist the wind, but the main thing is to be able to operate stably at low speeds. Minn Kota engines or MotorGuide Often used as a mainstay for quiet driving or as auxiliary for precise positioning, gasoline engines require careful adjustment of the carburetor or the use of injection systems that can operate at idle without deafening.
When choosing a motor, pay attention to the cooling system: during prolonged operation at low speeds, the regular system may not be able to cope with heat removal. Some anglers install additional pumps or use special "anti-cavitation" plates. Speed control This is a critical factor, and here comes to the aid of GPS controllers that maintain a given course and speed regardless of the wind.
⚠️ Attention: Prolonged operation of the gasoline engine at minimum speeds ("traction") can lead to overheating of spark plugs and formation of a scorching. Periodically give the engine load, increasing the speed.
Video reviews often show how important the balance between engine power and boat weight is. An engine that is too powerful on a light boat will cause trolling problems, making the wiring jiggle, and vice versa, a weak motor will prevent you from going into planing mode, which will increase fuel consumption as you move to the catching point.
Set of tackles: spinning, coils and fishing lines
Trolling gear is very different from spinning gear for running fishing, where reliability and the ability to withstand constant loads come to the fore. spinning For trolling, the test is usually 40 to 100 grams and 1.8 to 2.4 meters long. Short rods are more convenient when catching large fish in a boat, since there is less risk of confusing neighboring tackle.
The coils must be reliable and have a good friction brake. multicoilBecause they provide better line styling and better tuning of the rattle brake, wicker cords are preferred to monolesques because of their zero extensibility, which allows you to feel the bite better and control the wobler at depth. monophile Or special dakron to reduce the sailing cord.
The most important element is the fittings: vertebrates, winding rings and fasteners should be reinforced. Trophies like catfish or large pike easily break weak elements. In video footage, fishermen often use special equipment. flight-holderThey fix the spinning comet, freeing their hands.
- 🎣 The rod: Test 60-120 g, construction is fast or medium-fast, the presence of a reinforced tulip.
- 🌀 Coil: Multiplier with forest layer, friction with fine tuning, spire for 150-200 meters of cord.
- 🧵 Leska: A wicker cord with a diameter of 0.18-0.25 mm or a specialized sinking line.
- 🔗 Furniture: Rottles and carbines of at least 3-4 size according to Owner classification, reinforced winding rings.
Don't skimp on the quality of the rings on the spinning. The constant tension of the cord when wiring creates friction that quickly cuts down poor-quality ceramics or metal. The ideal choice for trolling are rings coated with SiC (silicon carbide), which are resistant to abrasion by wicker cords.
Navigation and sounders: eyes of a trollingist
Without a modern sonar, trolling becomes a blind pumpkin, and the angler's job is not just to see the bottom, but to distinguish between the structure of the soil, thermocline and, of course, fish. Echo-hounds Side Imaging and Down Imaging have become the de facto standard, allowing you to see not only what's under the boat, but also the structure of the bottom on the sides of the course.
Sound sounder tuning is a separate art. Pulse frequency, sensitivity, color palette all influence the image. In video lessons, experienced anglers show how to distinguish an echo from a school of fish from a signal from a bottom vegetation or a thermocline. GPS-navigators allow you to save tracks of successful wiring and return to them with an accuracy of a meter, laying the route anew.
It's important to understand what your instrument is showing. A fish on a sonar is not always a clear arc. It can be a blurred spot or a series of dots. thermoclin It often looks like a dense line that divides the water into layers, and the predator often stands above or below the thermocline, depending on the time of day and the type of fish.
What is the structure of the bottom and why is it needed?
The structure of the bottom shows the density of the soil. A solid bottom (rock, shell) gives a clear, bright signal, and a soft one (silt, dirt) is blurry and weak. Predators often hide on the border of hard and soft soil, so being able to read the structure has a huge advantage.
Using topography maps combined with real-world sonar readings allows you to build a 3D model of the bottom in real time, which is especially useful when fishing on large reservoirs where the terrain can be complex: buckets, dumps, underwater banks. Accurately following isobatas (lines of equal depth) often yields better results than chaotic movement.
Wobbleers and entrapment: how to get fish from the bottom
The main question of trolling is how to lower the bait to the desired depth. Wobblers with their own blade have passport entanglement, but it is only relevant at a certain speed and length of vacation. synker (loading) downriggers Downrigger is a cable-loaded device that holds a line to it, and it allows you to lower the bait to a depth of 100 meters or more, within a meter.
When using a downrigger, it is important to set the angle of deflection of the rope correctly. If the angle is too large, the bait goes above the load. Video instructions often demonstrate the use of special clips that release the fishing line when pecking, allowing you to catch fish without lifting a heavy load. outrigger (Removable bars) that spread the tackle to the sides, preventing overlapping.
The choice of wobbler depends on the target of the fish. For pike and perch, large minnows and sheds with active play are often used. Catfish are caught on massive baits with low-frequency play.
When trolling on the current, the speed of the boat relative to the water (Speed Over Ground) and the speed relative to the bottom (Speed Through Water) can be different. Always focus on the readings of the lag or GPS with due regard to the current to properly adjust the game of the wobbler.
There is a table of approximate deepening of wobblers depending on the length of the line release (subject to the absence of a flow and the use of a standard cord):
| The Wobbler model | Passport entrance (m) | Length of leave 20 m (m) | Length of leave 40 m (m) | Length of leave 60 m (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapala Deep Tail Dancer 9 | 4.5 - 6.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 6.5 |
| Yo-Zury 3D Crank | 3.0 - 5.0 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| Salmo Perch 12F | 3.0 - 7.0 | 3.0 | 5.5 | 7.0+ |
| Bomber Deep Long A | 4.5 - 7.5 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 |
Remember that placing an extra load (sinker) in front of the wobler changes his game. Wobler can start to "scour" or, conversely, stop vibrating. Experiments with the length of the leash between the load and the bait are mandatory for each particular model.
Wiring technique and search for active fish
Trolling is active search. Static straight-line traffic rarely works unless you know the exact location of the fish. The basic technique is to zigzag or shuttle along the brows, dumps and underwater ridges. The wiring speed varies from 1.5 to 5 km/h. Sudak They often prefer faster wiring, and pike It can also attack at minimum speed.
It is important to constantly monitor the work of the tackles. Visual contact with the tips of the spinnings allows you to notice a bite or failure of the game of the wobbler (for example, if he is clogged with grass); video often shows the reception of "stop": after a series of bites on the move, the boat is stopped or slowed down very much.
Using a track (a few tackles at different depths and distances) allows you to quickly determine the horizon of the fish's parking, and if it only pecks at the bottom spinnings, it makes sense to redesign the entire gear for fishing in the bottom layer. If only the upper tier works, the fish rose into the floes.
☑️ Checking readiness for trolling
Special attention should be paid to the behavior of the boat on the wave, when the boats are excited, they can jump out of the water or, conversely, dive deeper than the passport, in such conditions, you need to adjust the speed or change the fishing horizon, sometimes it is more effective to switch to fishing in protected coves or use larger and more stable lures.
Recovery and safety on the water
Trophy-catching has its own specifications. When you bite, it's important not only to cut, but also to remove other gear from the holders to avoid overlap. Often the angler works in pairs: one catches, the other picks the other spinnings. slasher or bunny is mandatory, as the fish after a long wiring can be very active.
Safety is paramount. Trolling often takes place at great depths and far from shore, with life jackets, anchor flounder, a proper motor and communications (radio, satellite phone) necessary. Weather conditions can change quickly, and you need to be prepared for this.
⚠️ Warning: When catching large fish (catfish, large pike) never cord on a finger or hand! jerking fish can lead to serious injuries, up to a broken finger or loss of a limb.
Once caught, the fish must be properly preserved. kukana It allows you to keep your catch in the water, keeping it fresh. However, some water bodies have regulations that prohibit you from keeping fish on the kukan, requiring you to either let go or kill. Always check local fishing rules.
Video recording of the process of catching not only preserves the bright moments, but also allows you to later analyze your actions: whether the friction was set up correctly, whether there were errors in working with the rod, analyzing your own mistakes is the best way to become a master.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the minimum power of the motor required for trolling?
For comfortable trolling on a PVC boat with a length of 3.6-4.2 meters with two anglers and equipment, a motor of 9.9 hp to 15 hp is recommended. This will provide an exit to plane and confident movement against the current. For large boats, the power should be appropriate to the displacement.
Do I need a special permit for trolling?
In most regions, trolling (moving boat fishing) is allowed, but there may be restrictions on the number of tackles (usually no more than 5-10 hooks per person) and a ban on the use of certain types of baits. Be sure to study the fishing rules for your pool (Volga-Caspian, Azov-Black Sea, etc.).
Can you catch trolling at night?
Technically, this is possible, but requires additional lighting and navigation equipment. Night trolling is often very effective for perch and catfish. However, safety and fishing regulations may limit fishing time or require light signals on the boat.
How to choose the first trolling wobler?
To start, choose a universal wobler minnow or shed measuring 7-9 cm with a depth of 2-4 meters. Rapala Deep Tail Dancer or Yo-Zury 3D CrankThey're all over the world, and they're all running at different speeds, and they're easy to operate and they rarely fail.
Troll fishing opens up new horizons for the fisherman, making every trip into the water an exciting exploration. Proper preparation, quality equipment and continuous training through video and practice will allow you to consistently return home with trophies. Remember that skill comes with experience, and every fishing is a new lesson.