Help a Trollin' Newb Out!

I've been a life long bass fisherman, just getting into the art of trolling for slabs, walleyes and stripers. More or less, just wanting to expand my fishing techniques because I don't like going through the same routine every time out. So I'd appreciate anything you fellas can share on these couple questions:

1. I have a couple rod holders mounted on the port and starboard of my boat, but was thinking of mounting a couple single rod holders on the back of the boat for trolling. What style is best for this purpose?

2. What gear would you recommend for beginner crankbait trolling? I don't know anything about size/type of crank to use, nor how to rig and pull em.

Thank you so much guys!

#1. What kind of boat we talking about? Rood holders are going to depend on what you have to mount them to.

#2 get a few of these in various colors http://www.overstockbait.com/Rebel-C...-R-p/dc935.htm
And some Bandit 300's in black/chrome, blue/chrome, pink, Sardis gold, mistake

Use some of your bass gear for pulling. Med hvy rods, bait casting or spinning. I prefer braid in 20/4. Some use 30 braid and some use 10 lb high vis mono. Depends where your fishing and how often your going to get hung up.

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Originally Posted by cray

#1. What kind of boat we talking about? Rood holders are going to depend on what you have to mount them to.

#2 get a few of these in various colors http://www.overstockbait.com/Rebel-C...-R-p/dc935.htm
And some Bandit 300's in black/chrome, blue/chrome, pink, Sardis gold, mistake

Use some of your bass gear for pulling. Med hvy rods, bait casting or spinning. I prefer braid in 20/4. Some use 30 braid and some use 10 lb high vis mono. Depends where your fishing and how often your going to get hung up.

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I have a Tracker Pro Crappie 175. I would like to be able to pull at least 2 rods off the back.

And thanks for the rest of the suggestions!

If 2 is all you want to pull off the back, I would purchase 2 drift master base's. Mount one on either side at the rear. Get 2 drift master holders with the longer stems. Screw them in with a lock nut screwed on first. That way you set holder to the position you want then use a wrench to tighten the lock nut down so they can't turn.

Eventually, I want to set my boat up to be a trollin' machine. What I'm envisioning is:

Spider Rig up front to push crappie jigs
A setup like you just mentioned on the back for longlining and pulling cranks/umbrellas for crappie and hybrids
Maybe a couple downriggers on the side for deep water walleye and hybrids in the summer

Plus, all these rod holders will come in handy when it comes time for some night time catfish drifting!

If your looking for pole holders on the front go to sponsors site and check out the Spider-Lock holders by E-Z poleHolder. Most adjustable and strongest holders made. Until you put your hands on them you can't believe the quality.

As far as size and type of crankbaits - You might have some from your bass fishing that will work nicely. Anything that imitates the forage base (most times that is shad) will work. Bombers, Bandits, Rebels, Wiggle Warts, etc. We won the Crappie Masters "ship" last year on Berkley Flicker Shads (5's and 6's) and Salmo Hornets (4's and 5's) all great cranks to use as well. For line I would suggest Berkley XT 10 pound test and to tell where the baits are running - I would suggest precision trolling dive curves - they offer both stickers for your tackle boxes and also have an I-phone app. Use a crankbait snap (swivel can be placed three feet from bait if needed) and make sure crankbait runs true. I would also highly suggest using Off Shore planer boards, One on each side of the boat to spread your lines.

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Originally Posted by Tommy Skarlis

As far as size and type of crankbaits - You might have some from your bass fishing that will work nicely. Anything that imitates the forage base (most times that is shad) will work. Bombers, Bandits, Rebels, Wiggle Warts, etc. We won the Crappie Masters "ship" last year on Berkley Flicker Shads (5's and 6's) and Salmo Hornets (4's and 5's) all great cranks to use as well. For line I would suggest Berkley XT 10 pound test and to tell where the baits are running - I would suggest precision trolling dive curves - they offer both stickers for your tackle boxes and also have an I-phone app. Use a crankbait snap (swivel can be placed three feet from bait if needed) and make sure crankbait runs true. I would also highly suggest using Off Shore planer boards, One on each side of the boat to spread your lines.

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Thanks for the good info. I was worried that bass cranks would be too big. And if I run 4 lines out back I'm definitely going to invest in some boards.

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Originally Posted by Stripes

Thanks for the good info. I was worried that bass cranks would be too big. And if I run 4 lines out back I'm definitely going to invest in some boards.

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To get started - A pair of the bigger Off Shores (OR-12L and OR-12R) as well as two of the smaller OR-34 and you'll have enough to be dangerous with! ;)