How to Troll

I retired last fall. For Christmas, the wife, (yes, I'm keeping her, so let's not go there) bought me a Tracker 195 TXW, trolling stands (2, each for 4 poles) and a set of trolling poles. I know nothing about setting these up or how to fish by trolling. I've seen lots of boats with trolling rigs but don't know anybody who actually has one.
Can you guys give me some hints and directions as to how best to setup the stands, ie, location on the bow, how far back from the trolling motor, how far away from my seat, and how to set up the poles. Do the short ones go on the outsides and the longer ones go in the middle. I have 2 each, 8', 10', 12', 14' to setup.

Thanks for the help. I want to use them in the next couple of days.

Hiring a guide for a day would be some of the best money you could spend to learn how to troll! You can read and watch videos all day long but can't replace the hands on you'll get with a guide. Not sure what part of Alabama your in but Terry Whaley on Weiss is an awesome guy to learn from.

im in Scottsboro and I’m no pro at it but I will be glad to help you with all I know and how I do mine. .Longest poles in front next longest and so on .shortest in back . You want your pole holders to be just to the side of your seat not too close but not where you have to reach way out either . Just what feels comfortable to you . You may want to start out with just 2-3 poles out each side until you get the hang of it .

Excellent advice. Thank you.

I don't long line I spider rig with all the same length poles pushing out the front. Would be glad to take you sometime and show you what I do. Definitely not a pro by any means but I'll show you how I fish. I normally have an open seat and fish Wheeler. Normally out of Decatur area

Also you can go to the South Carolina forum they is a sticky at the top of their forum that has lots of info on long lining also know as trolling!

Thanks man. Be glad to take you up on it. I'm in Athens, so Wheeler and Decatur would be awesome. Just let me know when.

Thank you, I'll check it out.

If you willing to drive down I will teach you how. I'm no expert but I do catch few . Footballcoach is very good at long lineing and maybe he will chime in with some advice for you. If you interested pm me and we will go. Also take slabprowler up on his offer he is pretty good at long lineing and a great guy.

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Get with some one up that way. They long long from the side up there, they side troll with the trolling motor on the side of the boat. I know a few that fish Pickwick and that is how they do it. I have not seen many up there that long line like we do down here. But I am sure they do.


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As far as where to mount your rod holders, get in the seat of the boat that you'll be fishing out of and adjust location so it's comfortable for you to reach a pole and grab it from the seat. Make sure your rod holders are far enough back to allow you access to the trolling motor and so it won't impede you from putring the motor in the water and taking it out. Another consideration is allowing yourself a way to step into the boat from the front with rod holders up and any electronics you have on the front of the boat. I run 8 rods out of the bow of my boat. I live in Madison and if you want to come by and see my set up, give me a PM. Recommend 6 lbs test on all your reels so it's consistent throughout your set up. Trolling speed for long lining I go between .7 and 1.2 mph depending on what the fish want. Baits, I like southern pro hot grubs, BG baby shad and Jiffy jigs in all kinds of different colors depending on where I'm fishing. I also troll rods out of the back of the boat at the same time I have rods up front. I like to keep about 3-4' between rod tips. Longer poles up front straight out and then sweep back with shorter rods in succession. Hope that helps.

How heavy of jigs do you folks usually use for long lining? I imagine this depends on the depth of water, speed, and location of the fish as well.

When it warms up Ill take you if you want to come to Weiss or Guntersville. Its not Rocket science. I fish with A 12' rod off both sides in front. Have four rods off the back. Two on each side. You can fish more but if you really get on the fish you will catch all you want using this system. Also you will avoid lines being tangled especially if green carp and stripe are also around. Depth and speed are the biggest keys to success. This comes from observation and trial and error

Hey NathanSmith I sent you a PM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YaBoyMaxWeezy

How heavy of jigs do you folks usually use for long lining? I imagine this depends on the depth of water, speed, and location of the fish as well.

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yes it’s according to how deep the fish are and how fast you are going. This may help ya
.Attachment 287027

This chart is not exactly correct. It is close but not exact. Like bob said run 6 lbs. test on all of your long lines. Remember line length plus line size plus jig weight . It is just trial and error. It will be fine you will learn as you go. Plus always keep a log book.


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