How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

[rtpassini]

I dont have fancy equipment, no down riggers, or planer boards etc.

I just let out my spinning reels and let a rip. Set the drag at the right point.

I did this for the first time on Lake Winnebago (the only lake in wisconsin you can troll besides the Great Lakes)
It was nice for a change of pace. As we were bringing the lines in, I had a small rock bass on the line. Felt bad, didnt know he was on.


Part of the issue is that it was pretty choppy out there. So once in a while the drag would go out (let the line out) So I would check it by pulling on the line itself and see if there was any "fight" There was none. Obviously with some bigger fish, it might be easier.

Is it just the nature of the beast? Since im not using boards or downriggers.

 

[Teamster]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

First off, Winnebago is not the only inland lake in WI where your allowed to troll,..

The class A musky lakes do not allow trolling, Other than that it should be allowed, However check the regulation book to be sure,...

As to your question, You have to pay attention to the vibration in the rod tip, Something as small as a leaf following up the lure will change the way the rod tip vibrates, You just have to pay attention,.....

If you like trolling the investment in rods, reels and Offshore inline planner boards is a good idea,...

 

[rtpassini]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

Sorry, you are correct there. Around me, thats the closest. (theres another one that you can, but as far as I know, you can hardly get a boat on that body of water)

I was watching the tips but I really didnt notice a difference. like I said, even when I pulled on the line, I didnt feel anything. I have a feeling it was just too small to make a difference on the heavy pole I had

 

[Teamster]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

After you spend enough time doing it you'll know when there is a piece of grass fouling the lure,......

The best thin you can do if you want to troll is pick up some Offshore planer boards,......

 

[jigngrub]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

I troll all the time and have drug several small fish around the lake for god knows how long, mainly "key chain" bass (you can mount them and put them on your key chain)... and some fish will actually swim along with the boat trying to spit the hook, I've had this happen a number of times until I notice something isn't quite right with that rod and give the reel handle a couple of cranks... and if the fish is on the bigger side all hell will break loose whe nyou set that hook a little deeper.

You can do the same thing with planer boards and especially down riggers of they don't trip the release. I drug a little 3/4 lb. Spotted Bass that didn't trip the down rigger release one day for quite a while and he was pretty tired when I finally got him in.

Don't feel too bad, the turtles and catfish have to eat too.

The big fish that slam your rod and try to spool you make up for the little ones that get drug around though.:laugh:

I have found that longer rods make it easier to detect small fish and a fouled line when trolling.

 

[Yeonik]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

I watch for "unnatural" movement. Much like if you're bobber fishing in waves - get used to the rythm of the waves on the rod tip, then if it breaks that rythm you should pay attention!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

Plenty of lakes to troll on in Wisconsin. Granted, with 15,074 lakes, many of them you cant even run a motor. However there are many lakes near your neck of the woods that you can troll

I often troll with lighter rods and light line. two of the larger rods wouldnt move if anything small hit the bait. then again, if its that small, its bait for the next fish.

 

[roscoe]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

We often troll for walleyes using 6' light, or medium light rods, using 8 or 10# line, with spinners or Rapalas.

A nice limber rod will pick up any bottom contact or small fish.


I have seen the tournament guys on 'bago using 8' $240 rods with $150 bait casters and 20# line.
I laughed. The guy literally had $3000 worth of rods n reels to troll stick baits for walleyes.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

As a custom rod builder, my customers often this question when they come in for a consultation. The answer is sensitivity.

There is a tendency to use too heavy of a rod, less than optimal rod actions, too much drag and lines with the sensitivity of a rubber band. Resolve these issues and you will have no problems telling when something is on the line...no matter how small.

 

[MRS]

Re: How to tell when you have a fish on when trolling?

Also you could buy a down rigger release and hook it to the back of the boat set it light and hook your trolling line to it.
That way if you get to many weeds or a small fish it should let you know something is on the line, this to will take a learning curve on how light to set it. plus will keep your line lower to the water..