Thread: Trolling Too Effective (?)

Recently read the article below out of the May 2016 issue of In-Fisherman magazine a neighbor gave me. What y'all think? Any merits?

I think that's very reasonable. I'm not saying I'm necessarily in favor of a pole limit here in SC but I do think your catch rate goes way up when fishing multiple pole methods. I think there's probably something to the 'school of baitfish' theory that multiple pole methods mimic. The more poles, the more baits, the larger your school is and the better chance it'll be noticed by your target fish.

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing.

I'd say with a 20 crappie limit, it doesn't really matter if you limit out in an hour trolling with a dozen rods, or you limit out in 4 hrs. with a single pole. The creel limit and size limit is where the rubber meets the road. Just my .

I too believe that trolling is the single most effective method to "catch" fish. However, I believe the number of rods used should not be mandated by the DNR. As long as we abide by the regulations and harvest our legal limit, why should they care how fast we catch 20 crappie? I know some of the people who disdain our preferred method (trolling), but I don't cry when the single polers wax their limit in short time. The article was pretty plain, they didn't approve of how fast the trollers caught their limit.

Originally Posted by burdawg

I too believe that trolling is the single most effective method to "catch" fish. However, I believe the number of rods used should not be mandated by the DNR. As long as we abide by the regulations and harvest our legal limit, why should they care how fast we catch 20 crappie? I know some of the people who disdain our preferred method (trolling), but I don't cry when the single polers wax their limit in short time. The article was pretty plain, they didn't approve of how fast the trollers caught their limit.

I agree Burdawg. The plus side of catching a limit quicker is that there won't be as many boats on the water!!

I use both methods, and contrary to others beliefs, I feel a pole limit should be enacted. The biggest issue I see with trolling is that the fishermen are intercepting the fish before they make it to the spawning grounds. Where as single polers are catching them in the spawning grounds. In my opinion, many more fish would spawn successfully if given the opportunity to reach the spawning areas. Most tight liners use 8 poles out the front, where as the majority of good long liners use 12 to 16 poles out the back. Most larger tournaments limit poles to 8 per boat regardless of technique. I too would be in favor of an 8 pole limit. Until that time, I will continue to use 12 out the back when long lining. I will add that rod limits probably will never happen as long as striper and catfish guides are in existence. This is the single reason I feel creel limits were reduced in lieu of rod reduction to begin with.

Originally Posted by Inkdabber

The biggest issue I see with trolling is that the fishermen are intercepting the fish before they make it to the spawning grounds. Where as single polers are catching them in the spawning grounds. In my opinion, many more fish would spawn successfully if given the opportunity to reach the spawning areas.

Would returning egg carrying females during the spawn help? Just askin'.

It may help on certain bodies of water. Habitat and invasive species I feel are the biggest culprits to the declining crappie populations on certain lakes. Most any lake that hasn't been over developed, or has an abundant amount of natural fish holding structure tend to hold their fish numbers regardless of fishing pressure. Crappie are very proficient spawners, if left unchecked they will over populate and stunt their grouth. For these reasons you are not suppose to stock ponds with them. With that said, removing egg laden females does not really hurt anything as long as a certain percentage make it through the spawn. One female can produce upwards of 40,000 eggs, how many survive depends on habitat and invasive species like perch being held in check. Another issue is stocked striped bass, who are the kings of the food chain and will eat any species of fish they deem as prey. Cormarant numbers are being reduced on the Santee cooper lakes as their numbers have exploded over the last decade or so. A flock of those birds can desimate a school of crappie as well.

Originally Posted by have-a-crappie-day

Would returning egg carrying females during the spawn help? Just askin'.

Ink, I agree with you, that is probably why the creel limit was reduced. I think they could have done it during the spawn though if that was their reasoning. Also, I catch many more fish during the non-spawning season than during the spawn. To me, the DNR would do better to enforce the laws they have on the books instead of worrying about how fast we limit. I know of many "spawn" fishermen who catch multiple limits in a single day. They are doing more harm than the "long-liners", as far as I'm concerned. I don't expect GA to change their rules either....we might ought to buy their license and take the increase in the creel limit.

burdawg, I wish GA would follow suite with all the other states in the southeast.With the increase of crappie fisherman every year our lakes are getting beat to death. Oconee is one of the main lakes that I fish and its not near the lake it used to be and that's not just my opinion. We call and call the biologist that works these lakes and nothing gets done.They get hit in the winter,spring and then summer at night bringing out coolers of fish knowing they are not going to get checked at 3 or 4 in the morning. And our lakes are not that big in size.