Getting to correct depth

You guys who use trolling weights or even line counter reels... I have a question.

Here's my situation. I am using 2 oz weights to troll crankbaits. I become confused as where I start counting the line I have out to be at fish level. If I want to fish at 15 ft do I (a) include only the amount of line under water (b) include all line past the reel (c) only the line between the weight and surface the surface. This question is driving me absolutely nuts trying to do it correctly. I am catching fish but it might be by accident :banghead

I measure from where the line goes in the water. I figure the distance between rod tip and where line enters the water. I let that length of line off the reel, then zero the line counter and start playing out line to reach the correct depth. I don't troll with weights, so your results may differ from mine.

Jim

2 oz with crank baits (300 series) should get you down way past 15' with enough line out. I can almost get there with crankbait alone. Yak Fish is correct about how to get correct amount of line out. Good luck.

I was just using 15 ft as an example depth. Most of my cranks will absolutely dive 15 + without weight.
Your answers make me think that I'm in the ballpark. My current routine is to drop the weight to the surface . The lure is on a 3ft leader. I know that a normal line pull for me is about 3 ft. I pull enough line to equal the depth that I mark fish then shorten it up a couple ft to get above them. Sound ok?

I wait until my crankbait is starting to dive before I reset my line counter. Same should be done for static or diving weights. Precision trolling data app is going to pay for itself in short order if you troll much.


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I count from when the weight is in the water while I'm going at the prescribed speed. I calculate that if my line is close to a 45deg angle from the rod tip to surface, then I multiply the line length below the water by 0.6 and that gives me a ballpark depth. SO, if I let out 20ft below the surface, then I estimate my weight is about 12ft deep (& my crank would be a foot or two below that, depending on lip size of crank and length of leader). (20x0.6=12 .... or you can use the "every 5ft of line out equals 3ft of depth" calculation) If I'm not mistaken, I believe the trolling charts are based on the same calculation principle. (2oz weight @ 1.8mph w/45deg angle of line ... though I'm not sure if it's with a 3ft leader or 5ft leader)