Please Help a Newbie Troller Out!

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Originally Posted by luvpt

That sounds like a lot of weight Rocky. I only use that much if I am pushing crankbaits in front and using a fairly stiff rod. Otherwise, I use a 3/16 oz worm weight and three #5 split shot for weight when trolling jigs....that's all. The split shots stop the slider about 18 inches above the jig (like a mini-downrigger). 6# line will help keep the drag down as you troll.

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Thanks for replying. I took my setup out to Lake Monticello for a couple of hours today, just to get the hang of it. I had a hard time determining what was a bite and what wasn't. I got a few bites on a black / chartruese jig, and some on a silver jig, but didn't catch anything. I am gonna switch to lighter weight just like you posted and see if I can determine a bite better.
Another question - I plan to fish an oxbow soon that is gonna have a fair amount of stuff to get hung up in. Is it best to just avoid a lot of structure all together? Or is that enough weight to get you unhung most of the time?

Yea, bites on LM right now are very very light....use your most sensitive rods and watch those rod tips for the slightest change in position (up or down) and be ready to set the hook before he spits it back out. I would probably stay away from a lot of structure while spider rigging until I had a bit more experience because it has the potential of being very frustrating .... then be sure to rig weedless. Both the Charlie Brewer Sliders and the BPS Snagless Super Squirts work very well in heavy cover. I only head for the stump fields when I absolutely can't catch them anywhere else. I like that open water!! BTW, I'm getting reports that one or two of the river lakes are starting to turn on a bit and I'm trying to make time to get over there. Most of my fishing has been in LM lately and it has been a hit or miss proposition....not a sure thing like the past few years. Two Saturdays ago I caught six striped bass for every crappie!

Well, I went to Eagle Lake today. Got hung up a lot. But I did catch my 1st three fish trolling. A 4lb Grinnel, a 1.5lb mudcat, and a 5 inch crappie. And you're dang right, I'm gonna clean'em.

Thanks luvpt for the hands on instruction the other day. I switched all my poles over to the lighter line and tied the knot you showed me, instead of using the noknots. I've ordered 4, 14'' Capps and Coleman trolling rods. My wife is gonna have a fit when she sees the UPS truck pull up, again. You didn't miss anything this morning, the Mississippi River and the wind is on a rampage for the next few day.