Modern fishing has evolved from passive waiting for catches to an active and technically equipped process, where the main ally of the fisherman becomes a boat. trolling It's a method of catching predators on moving gear, which allows you to catch huge areas in a short time, finding pike, pike or catfish where the spinning player from the shore is powerless. equip Watercraft and understanding of hydrodynamics.
Unlike the classic spinning, where the wiring is carried out by the brush, here all the work is done. boat-engine Or electric traction that gives the bait a uniform course, which opens up the possibility of using deep-sea wobblers that can't be dampened by throwing. A key feature of trolling is the ability to accurately adjust the wiring speed in the range from 2 to 7 km / h.It's important for a beginner to get technically tuned in, because fishing requires constant monitoring of the instruments.
You don't have to have a huge boat to start with, you'll need a reliable PVC boat or a compact metallic outboard boat. The main requirement for the boat is stability and the ability to safely install several rods along the sides and transom. In this article, we'll look at all the nuances: from choosing a boat to a boat. sonar to tactical schemes of arrangement of tackles, so that your first launch was effective.
Choosing a boat and preparing for fishing
The backbone of trolling is your floating platform. For comfortable fishing on reservoirs and major rivers, the best choice is a boat ranging in length from 3.6 to 4.5 meters. Smaller dimensions can be unstable when installing downriggers or sails, and also unsafe in the excitement that often accompanies sea fishing. PVC boats good for its transportability and softness of stroke, but metal or composite housings provide better course stability and durability when in contact with snags.
The most important element of preparation is the rod attachment scheme. You will need to install special holders (rod-holders) on the boards, the trunk and possibly on the bow of the boat. The standard configuration for starting is two or three rods, but experienced trollers use up to 6-8 tackles at a time, and it is critical that the tackles do not overlap, and the fishing lines go parallel to each other, forming a fan.
- 🚤 Make sure the boat’s transom can withstand the weight of the motor and the load from the thrust of several large wobblers at speed.
- ⚓ The presence of an anchor fill (anchor-cat) is mandatory for a quick stop of the boat when hooking or catching a trophy.
- 🔋 For electric motors, the battery capacity should be enough for at least 4-5 hours of continuous running at medium speeds.
⚠️ Warning: Never install rod holders inside the cockpit so that when a large fish jerks sharply, the rod can hit one of the passengers or get tangled in the legs. All gear must be fixed strictly along the perimeter of the board.
Technical equipment: motors and navigation
The outboard motor is the heart of your fishing. Four-stroke petrol engines are ideal for trolling, as they are quieter, more economical and allow you to keep steady small revolutions without the risk of overheating. two-strokeIf you can adjust the fuel valve (gas pen) precisely. On large bodies of water, where you need to travel long distances to the fishing point, the engine power must be sufficient to plane with full load.
Special attention deserves electric motorThis is the troller's second engine, which is used directly during fishing, and its main advantage is the quietness and the ability to adjust the speed with steps, which is impossible to do with a gasoline unit. The speed of 3-4 km / h is often the middle ground for pike and perch, and the electric traction keeps it perfectly even when the wind or current changes.
Without a sonar and GPS, trolling becomes a blind pumpkin. mapplotter Not only does it allow you to see the bottom and thermocline, but you can also keep tracks of successful wiring. You can go back to the point in a week and follow the same trajectory to within a metre of success. The TrackBack feature on the sounders allows you to go back to the object you saw on the screen (for example, a flock of fish) and catch it.
Use the Track feature in the navigator to save the routes where the trophies were caught, and this will help you to create your own map of catch points on the pond.
The table below shows the dependence of the choice of motor type on the tasks of the fisherman:
| Parameter | Gasoline engine | Electric motor | Hybrid circuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main objective | Moving to a point, moving against the flow | Precise wiring, quiet fishing | Maximum efficiency |
| The speed of trolling | Unstable, requires skill | Perfectly stable. | Combined |
| Noise | Tall (may scare fish) | Totally silent | Depends on the regime. |
| Autonomy | High (tank 12-25 l) | Limited by AKB capacity | Maximum |
Equipment: spinning, coils and line
Choice spinning The main requirements are power, reliability and ability to work with heavy stubborn rappers. The test of rods usually varies from 40 to 150 grams, and the formation is chosen fast or medium-fast for better cut-off at a distance. The length of the whip is optimal in the range of 2.10-2,40 meters; longer sticks will interfere in the boat.
The coils are used exclusively multiplier, providing maximum traction, reliable friction and, importantly, allowing you to accurately control the release of the line. Non-inertional coils In serious trolling, they are practically not used due to low traction power and a tendency to drop loops when a boat jerks sharply. The gear ratio of the coil is better to choose a low one (for example, 4:1 or 5:1) - these are "traction" models that are easier to pump fish from the depths.
The main cord is a wicker with a diameter of 0.16-0.22 mm (Japanese classification PE 1.0-1.5). The wicker cord is not stretched, which provides excellent cutting even at great depths, and has minimal sailing. metal-leash Or a fluorocarbon scoop of at least 0.4 mm thick to avoid cuts, and the monophilic line is rarely used as a base, only when fishing for very shallow wobblears, where its extensibility is important.
- 🎣 Use rods with reinforced SiC rings, as the wicker cord quickly grinds through cheap fittings.
- 🧵 Fluorocarbon shock leader length of 1-1.5 meters will protect the main wicker from rubbing on the shell and snags.
- 🔗 Carbines and vertebrates must be reinforced, sizes No. 3-4 according to the Owner classification, to withstand the jerks of trophy fish.
⚠️ Warning: Before each fishing, check the condition of the first ring on the spinning and the first 5 meters of the cord. Microcracks on the ring or the "shagginess" of the cord can lead to a break in the trophy at the most critical moment.
☑️ Checking equipment before exit
Lures: wobblers and their deepening
The king of trolling is owlThis fishing method uses models with a large, wide blade, which allows the bait to go to depths of 3 to 12 meters or more. Cranks and shads with active play and powerful low-frequency vibrations work best. The size of the baits usually varies from 7 to 14 cm, but larger minnou up to 20 cm are often used to catch the trophy predator.
The main problem of the troller is to understand how deep the Wobler goes. Manufacturers specify the working horizon, but it depends on the length of the line and the speed of the boat. The longer the cord is released, the deeper the Wobler goes (up to a certain limit). There is a rule of thumb: to submerge 1 meter, you need to release about 10-12 meters of fishing line, but accurate data is better from manufacturers' catalogs, such as: Rapala, Yo-Zuri or Bomber.
The color of the bait matters, but it's not as critical as the wiring horizon. In clear water and sunlight, natural fish colors (perch, roach, silver) work. In murky water or at depths of more than 5-6 meters, where light penetrates weakly, bright "acid" colors (fire tiger, chartreuse) and wobbles with noise cameras are effective. Sound and vibration help the predator to find prey by using the light. sideline.
The secret of the "companions"
Many trolling players underestimate composite swingbaits, and they have a sluggish game when wiring slowly, but when they speed up the boat or on the wave, their game becomes chaotic and provocative, which often helps with complete bleaching.
Tactics of catching and wiring tackles
The most common mistake of a beginner is to zigzag or constantly change speed. The predator, especially the pike and catfish, likes predictability. Your task is to choose a section of the bottom (dump, brow, watering) and walk along it at the same speed. The optimal speed range for most predators is within 3-6 km / h. If the stick is absent for 20-30 minutes, it makes sense to change the speed or horizon of the wiring by changing the wobler.
There are several different gearing schemes, the simplest one is a fan, and spinnings are mounted on and off the transom at different angles, so that the fishing lines don't get confused, using the "distance spread" method: 20 meters of fishing line are released from the transom, 30 meters and 40 meters from the sides respectively, which creates a safe zone where even when catching fish, neighbors do not confuse the tackle.
When you pass over a snag or a complex terrain, you use the "shooting" tactic. If you feel a thrust, you don't have to turn off the engine and try to swim back. You just have to throw the rod off the holder into the water (weakening the friction beforehand!) The boat will leave, and the buoyant Wobler will pop up and free, or you will lose only the cheap bait, keeping the expensive gear.
- 🌊 On the wave, increase the length of the fishing line to smooth out the bait jerks and avoid overlaps.
- 🔄 Change direction relative to wind and current to find the best angle of attack for the fish.
- 👀 Watch out for the boat’s “track” (kilvate trail) – a predator often attacks a bait going in clear water next to a murky trail.
⚠️ Attention: When fishing on the current, the boat's speed relative to the bottom and relative to the water varies. Always focus on GPS readings (speed relative to the bottom), not on the sensations or tachometer of the motor, as the current can demolish the boat faster or slower than the propeller.
Constant monitoring of the sonar is more important than constantly looking at the tips of the rods, and if you see the fish on the screen, you can adjust the depth of the bait release in real time.
Recovery and safety on the water
Fish catching when trolling has its own specifics. When a bite occurs (a sharp "pump" or a series of blows), you immediately select a slack of the line and make a powerful cut. Since the fish is often detected by itself (self-cutting) due to the hardness of the tackle and resistance of the water, the main task is to prevent it from going into the driftwoods. Bring the fish to the boat, holding the rod vertically, and use the suckers. Hands to take a pike or pike, especially in the dark or on the wave, is strongly recommended.
Safety is paramount. Trolling is often done in environments where attention is scattered between appliances, rods and water. Life jackets are a must for all passengers, even if you are a great swimmer. When you fish a large catfish or pike, the boat can turn on board to the wave, which creates a risk of overturning, especially on PVC boats.
Also, keep in mind the rules of GIMS, trolling is not allowed everywhere and not always, during the spawning period, the use of a fishing motor (moving with a working engine while fishing) is prohibited in many regions. electric motors Always check local fishing regulations to avoid heavy fines and confiscation of gear.
To sum up, trolling is a fascinating, technically rich type of fishing that gives unforgettable emotions from the fight against trophy fish. Proper preparation, knowledge of predator habits and respect for the water element will make your trips not only catchy, but also safe.
What to do if the lines get confused?
If the fishing line is entangled, don't pull the rods. Turn off the motor, let the boat anchor or drift. Carefully select all the fishing line manually, starting with the one closest to the surface or transom. Untangle the knots slowly so as not to damage the cord's coating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you need a special engine for trolling or a regular one?
There is no special trolling engine, any reliable outboard motor is fine, but for comfortable fishing, it is desirable to have an electronic system for stabilizing the speed or the possibility of installing an additional electric motor, since it is difficult to keep the speed below 5-6 km / h on gasoline engines.
At what speed is the best to catch a pike?
The optimal speed for a perch is 2.5-4 km / h. Often the rule is: the colder the water and the passive the fish, the slower the wiring should be. Pike is more versatile and can attack baits at speeds from 3 to 7 km / h.
Can trolling be used from the shore?
No, trolling is by definition a moving boat fishing, and fishing from shore with bait wiring is called shore spinning. There's also a track, the old analog of rowing boats, but it requires rowing, not motoring.
What kind of echoer to choose for a novice trollingist?
Any modern GPS-enabled two-beam sonar is a good start, and it's more important to have a clear screen and a clear interface than the number of beams, and budget models from Garmin, Lowrance or Humminbird will do a great job of finding depths and fish.
Is trolling dangerous for the ecology of the reservoir?
When using high-quality gear and observing the rules of "catch-let-let" (or reasonable catch quota), trolling does not harm the environment, the main thing is not to leave fishing lines, lost wobbles and other debris that can cause the death of waterfowl and animals at the bottom of the pruning.