And lastly, disregard anybody that mentioned keeping your rod tip down when reeling them in!! Rod tip up, high noon, and a nice steady pace. If they go under, don't panic, slowly work them back up on top. Good steady pressure and pace. They will try to shake off from time to time, just stay the course. And never never never turn your trolling motor off!!


When I'm fishing by my self I tend to skip,em, and keep the trolling speed up.....But after fishing with my wife for 28 years this is what I've observed.

The only time her rod tip is up is if she casts, we've got rod holders but she likes to feel the bite,so she sits backwards with the rod straight out the back of the boat.(sigh) When she hooks a fish she tells me to slow down,(I do) she reels slowly with the rod tip down only lifting it as the fish slips into the net. She puts about 8 out of 10 in boat(walleye and crappie) with her methods. I used to try and change her ways,but I gave up about 27 years ago.lol