Trolling is not just towing wobbles behind a motor, but a highly precise process where every centimeter per second affects the performance of fishing. Many novice anglers mistakenly believe that the main thing is the presence of a sonar and a set of expensive baits, forgetting about the fundamental parameter - the speed of the boat. trollboat It determines how the Wobler will play, how deep it will go, and whether the predator will notice it.
In ideal conditions, when the water is calm and the wind is absent, speed control is easy. However, in a real body of water, the situation changes every minute. The gusts of the wind, the change in the bottom relief and the current make their own adjustments, forcing the angler to constantly adjust the operation of the engine. Understanding the physics of the process and the technical capabilities of your boat or boat. PVC It allows you to turn chaotic movement into a controlled fishing tool.
There is a misconception that to successfully fish you need to move as slowly as possible, which is not always true, since each model of the wobbler has its own operating speed range, going beyond which makes the game chaotic jitters. The critical threshold for most trolling wobblers is the speed of 2.5-3.0 km / h.Above which the game of many large models is strayed, and below – they just stop vibrating.
Factors affecting the actual speed of wiring
The actual speed of the bait in the water is often different from that of the GPS navigation system, which is due to a combination of external and internal factors that must be considered when setting up the bait. Settings → Speed → Units Wind is the most unpredictable ally or enemy of the troller, and going against the wind requires more power and gives less real speed relative to water than going through the wind at the same engine reading.
The design of the boat is also crucial: flat bottom aluminum "kazak" creates greater resistance and sailing on the wave than PVC keel boats or fiberglass boats with a deep V. Sailing The engine's hulls and superstructures make it work in different modes, even under constant thrust, and the extra equipment on board -- anchors, crates, passengers -- changes draught and fluid dynamics.
The flow of the river is a factor that you can't ignore. By going against the current, you actually increase the speed of the water over the bait, even if the boat's speed relative to the shore is minimal. Conversely, when you go downstream, the real speed of the wobbler's game can be close to zero, which often leads to hooks to the bottom.
- 🌪️ Wind factor: The side wind blows the boat down, creating a yaw that knocks down the Wobbler game and requires constant steering, effectively changing the speed vector.
- 🌊 Water turbulence: On a large wave, the boat then climbs the ridge, then fails, because of which the speed is constantly "floating", if the stabilization system is not used.
- ⚓ Resistance to tackle: Linings released for 40-50 meters create additional resistance to water, which can reduce the real speed of the boat by 0.2-0.4 km / h.
⚠️ Attention: When trolling on rivers with strong currents, never rely only on GPS readings relative to the shore. The speed of the current can be up to 3-5 km / h, which, when moving along the current, will completely stop the bait game, even if the navigator shows movement.
Optimal speed range for different predators
The speed of the fish depends on who you plan to catch, and different fish species have different metabolisms and reactions to moving prey, and the pike, which often stands on deep brows, is characterized by low speed fishing, has slow but stable wiring enough to attack the bait, and the pike is more aggressive and can respond to faster wiring, especially in warm water.
The water temperature makes its own adjustments to the predator's preferences. In cold water (early spring or late autumn), the fish's metabolism slows down, and they won't chase fast-escape prey. speed It should be minimal, bordering on the stop of the game of the wobbler, and in the summer, when the fish is active, the range can be expanded by experimenting with faster play.
The size of the bait also dictates its conditions: Large deep-sea wobblears with a large blade create powerful resistance and often require a little more speed to enter the working horizon and start a stable game. Small minnows and crooks, on the contrary, can get lost in a tailspin when exceeding speeds of 3.5-4 km / h.
Secret speeds for different fish
Sudak: 2.0 - 2.8 km/h (fall to 1.8 km/h). Pike: 2.5 - 3.5 km/h (summer to 4.0 km/h); Perch: 2.2 - 3.0 km/h (loves a torn rhythm); Trout / Salmon: 3.0 - 4.5 km/h (requires active play).
- 🐟 Sudak: It prefers monotonous, slow wiring in the range of 2.0-2.8 km / h, especially at depths over 6 meters.
- 🦈 Pike: The range is wider, from 2.5 to 3.5 km / h, but in the heat can peck on very slow wiring near the grass.
- 🐸 Perch: It is often found at speeds of 2.2-3.0 km / h, especially if you add elements of jerk wiring (stop-and-go).
Technical means of speed control
Modern fishing is unthinkable without electronics, which takes on the tedious process of controlling traction. electronic cruise controlbuilt into motors or installed as a separate system (e.g., Lowrance Link or GarminThese devices allow precise speeds to be set at knots or km/h, and the motor automatically adds or discharges gas to compensate for the effects of wind and wave.
For owners of outboard motors without advanced electronics, there are mechanical thrust limiters or simple tiller locks, although their accuracy leaves much to be desired. In such cases, anglers often use the method "on hearing" and by sensation, which requires a lot of experience. A more affordable solution is to use a separate GPS navigation device with a speed display function (SOG - Speed Over Ground), which you need to navigate when twisting the gas handle.
It's important to understand the difference between the speed of the propeller and the speed of the boat. The propeller can slip, especially if it's picked up incorrectly or contaminated with algae. calibration Speed readings by GPS and real sensations from the game of wobbler is a mandatory procedure at the beginning of the season.
☑️ Check of the speed control system
When using autopilot or cruise control systems, remember that they have inertia. The motor does not instantly respond to command, especially two-stroke models. This means that at short distances or when conditions change dramatically (exiting the calm zone to the headwind zone), the system may not have time to compensate for the change in speed, and the Wobbles will lose play for a short time.
The effect of motor and screw type on trolling
Choosing a trolling motor is a trade-off between power to get on plane and the ability to run at minimum rpm. Two-stroke motors often have a wider range of minimum idling speeds, allowing for very low speeds without deafening. Four-stroke motors are more economical and quiet, but can stall at too low rpms, requiring special "trolling plates" or reconfiguring the carburetor/throt.
The screw plays a key role in creating thrust at low speeds. High-speed screws designed for speed, on trolling will work inefficiently, creating unnecessary cavitation and vibration. For trolling, reduced-step screws are ideal, which allow the motor to operate stably at minimum revs, ensuring smooth running without jerks.
Electric motors are becoming increasingly popular for trolling, especially on small boats, and they provide perfectly smooth traction and quietness, which is critical for catching cautious fish. time-limit The work is limited by the capacity of the batteries, which requires careful calculation of the route.
| Motor type | Min. steady speed | Fuel/energy consumption | Noise | Best application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| two-stroke engine | 2.5 - 3.0 km/h | Highly | Medium/High | Large water areas, wind |
| four-stroke engine | 3.0 - 3.5 km/h* | Medium. | Low. | Comfortable fishing, eco-zones |
| Electric motor | 0.5 - 1.0 km/h | Low (depends on the BAC) | Missing. | Small boats, spot trolling |
⚠️ Attention: Prolonged operation of the gasoline engine at minimum speeds (less than 1500 rpm) can lead to the formation of soot on candles and piston rings. Periodically let the engine "gass" at medium speeds to burn out the deposits.
Use a trolling plate (an extra blade on the lower unit) if your engine stalls at minimum speeds, which allows you to reduce the speed of the boat to 2 km / h without stopping the engine.
Features of trolling on PVC boats and metal boats
PVC boats and metal "Kazanki" or aluminum boats behave differently on the water, which directly affects the strategy of choosing speed. PVC boats have a soft drive and excellent wave suppression, but have high sailing due to inflatable tubes. This means that in the side wind they are very much demolished, and to hold the course and speed requires more power, which makes it difficult to comply with the low speed mode.
Metal boats, especially flat-bottomed boats, are very sensitive to wave. At 2 to 3 km/h, such boats can rhythmically nose-peck on each wave. This movement is transmitted to spinning and wobbling boats, creating a jerk wiring effect. For such boats, it is critical to properly distribute the weight of cargo and passengers to align the keel and minimize yaw.
Keel boats (aluminum or fiberglass) with deep V are better on course and less susceptible to wind demolition, making them ideal platforms for serious trolling. course once and practically do not adjust it, relying on the inertia of the body.
- 🎈 PVC boats: Require more frequent adjustment of gas due to the sailing of cylinders, but more comfortable for anglers on the wave.
- 🛶 Flatheads: Prone to yaw and shocks against the wave, require careful balancing of the cargo for stable wiring.
- 🚤 Keel boats: Provide the most stable speed and play of baits, less depend on the direction of the wind.
Typical errors and troubleshooting
One of the most common mistakes is trying to catch too fast in the hope of catching more area, and as a result, the wobblers go above the working horizon, their game gets lost, and the fish simply do not have time to attack. Often anglers see fish on the sonar, but do not understand why there are no bites, without realizing that theirs are not the same. Speed: 5.5 km/h It simply scares away a predator or makes the bait unnatural.
Another mistake is ignoring the direction of the waves. Trolling across the wave (board) is the most difficult option for controlling speed and playing baits. The boat is constantly rolling, speed jumps. Experienced trollingists try to plan the route so that they either go along the wave or at an acute angle to it.
Also, you often forget to check the condition of the fishing line and fasteners. At low speed, when the wobler goes deep, any blade of grass that gets caught can dramatically change the hydrodynamics of the bait, and it will stop playing. Visual control of the last meters of the fishing line (if water transparency allows) or periodic winding help to avoid idle runs.
The secret to successful trolling is to constantly monitor not only the sounder, but also the behavior of the boat itself, and speed should not be just a number on the screen, but a sense of the right vibration in the spinning form.
Why does the Wobler go sideways when trolling?
This can happen for several reasons: 1) The tuning of the vobler blade is lost (you need to carefully bend the metal loop or plastic blade in the opposite direction). 2) An algae has wound on the fishing line, which changed the resistance. 3) The boat is strongly blown by the side wind or current, and the Wobler simply takes it aside, although it goes smoothly. Check first the cleanliness of the fishing line, then the tuning of the bait itself.
Can a sail be used for trolling?
Yes, there is a sail trolling technique where the boat is driven entirely by wind, which allows for ultra-low speeds (less than 1 km/h) that are not available to the engine, but it requires special equipment (anchor-parachute, sail) and is ideal only for certain weather conditions. For beginners, this method is too difficult to control.
How often should I change speed while fishing?
Change the speed if you change the conditions (wind, current, depth) or if there is no cool. If the fish is active but does not take, try to change the speed by 0.3-0.5 km / h. Often the change in wiring tempo provokes the predator to attack. Don't be afraid to experiment: today the perch can take 2.2 km / h, and tomorrow - only 2.8 km / h.