Thread: Drifting/Trolling

Fetmo, So tell us what you ordered? I just got my new driftmasters put on my boat and I have a meeting in L.R. tomorrow and I will pick up a B-n-M trolling rod. I will try it all out Friday at Lake Norfork.

If you got a driftmaster you will indeed like it. BUT you are gonna need more than A bnm rod. Ya gonna need several.:D

Now you just need about six or eight B&M Prostaffs in 12-16 ft lengths with ultralite open-faced spinning reels full of 6# line. Lots of jigheads, worm weights, splitshot, and jigs in all the colors and shapes and you will be ready.....Oh, don't forget a long-handled dipnet cause you're gonna need it! There are tons of info on spider-rigging/trolling on the board. Just filter out what doesn't apply to your situation and have fun on the water!

Originally Posted by luvpt

Now you just need about six or eight B&M Prostaffs in 12-16 ft lengths with ultralite open-faced spinning reels full of 6# line. Lots of jigheads, worm weights, splitshot, and jigs in all the colors and shapes and you will be ready.....Oh, don't forget a long-handled dipnet cause you're gonna need it! There are tons of info on spider-rigging/trolling on the board. Just filter out what doesn't apply to your situation and have fun on the water!

I would also add set them so they all spaced out the same. I paint my rod tips also.

When you search "Spider Rigging" , you will probably see all of my fussing and cussing about it. This year, I have started trolling with the 7' rods I already have. I keep 4 out; 2 on each side. The aft 2, I just cast out. The forward two are behind an 1/2 onz egg sinker behind a swivel out about 20'. I want them to sink out of the way should I be reeling one in from the aft pole.
Trolling this year has boosted my confidence to spider rig some of my favorite Fall holes. I am looking forward to it.
DP

The most important thing about trolling or "spider-rigging" is to eliminate un-productive water. Although spider-rigging is an excellent way to cover alot of ground when searching for fish, fishing areas that are holding fish will make for a much more productive day obviously. This can be accomplished quickly by studying lake maps or knowing where the summer haunts are in your lake.
Spider rigging really pays off in deeper water during the heat of the summer when fish tend to hang around drop-offs and ledges near main creek or river channels. Try finding the points or ledges that have a good amount of structure close to the deeper water and begin trolling just above the top of the structure. Good electronics really pays off as well when using this method.
Also, when trolling, I have better luck trolling with the wind. This may be because of several reasons, but less sounds of waves slapping the boat, less trolling motor use and a natural flow of baitfish would be to name a few.
Setups can range from single rigged "bottom-bumping" presentations to a double rigged Capps and Coleman rig. The wind and other variables will determine the size of weights and jig heads that you will need to use. Nothing like being setup to spider rig with light tackle to only get up the next morning and find 20 mph winds on the lake.
I tend to keep as light as tackle as possible for double rigging that may include only one #6 three swivel and two 1/32 oz. jigs and skirts. But if the wind is not playing nice, I will get heavier up to the point of using a 1 oz. egg sinker between the swivel and bottom hook.
Remember to set your poles at different depths with different baits being presented. When you figure out the depth they are hitting at, work at colors and size next. When you have the depth, color and size of the presentation they are wanting, change all poles to match.
I hope this helps you out.

cool thanks for all the great info!!!

I went with (4) short, 2 rod holders from Hi-Tek. i am looking forward to tryin um out. thanks again for all the info yall. hopefully i will be posting some slab pictures soon!

Fetmo

Great choice on the holders!!!