Trolling speed

[Jigger]

I am pretty much a novice at trolling cranks and would like your input. What is a good speed to troll cranks on a three way rig, and is that speed the same if you are trolling for suspended fish? Appreciate your answers. Jigger

[Chad]

Jigger,

1.5 to 5 mph for Trolling speeds. Kind of like asking a guy how fast he drives his car. It depends on the situation. It is wise to experiment with different speeds until you find the one that produces.

Why are you using a 3-way? If in a river and going against the current, it will vary depending on the current. I have used 3ways and held stationary in a river.

[Jigger]

I appreciate your reply and yes, I do fish in rivers, the St Marys River in particular. I fish almost exclusively with bottom bouncers and harnesses, usually downstream. When I do fish upstream I too sometimes almost hover, using the river current to activate the harness. In most cases the river flows at about 1 MPH. I want to use a three way rig so I can use a longer dropper, thus beeing able to fish a little further off bottom.
Thanks, Jigger

[Sunshine]

Jigger,
My rule of thumb is the colder the water the slower the speed. or the opposite is the warmer the faster. I too, have caught fish standing still in a river using a three-ways. In fact, that's a great technique for right now in my area.

These are ONLY generalities but when the water temp goes below 40, I go 1.0 or below. When the temp is above 60, all speeds work. My favorite all around speed for whatever reason is 1.7 gps. I know some guys troll much fater than I do. I seldom go above 3.5. Lures must be fine tuned perfectly to achieve anything over 2.5 and some lures just won't work at all.

Would like to hear ideas from others also!

[Lance Valentine]

Jigger:

Just a little tip that might help on the St Mary's. I have fished it in tourneys 3 times the past 2 seasons, and have finally started to feel confident trolling spinners downstream. Speed was CRITICAL to success w/bouncers and spinners. I started catching many more fish when I turned up the speed. Time of year didn't matter. I tried to keep the Speed over Ground on my bow mount GPS between 1.5-1.7 mph. Also seemed to have better luck with willowleaf blades or Indianas. Hope this helps a little.

Tight Lines

Lance

[dan(or)]

I fish three ways a bunch out on the Columbia. Current speed dictates boat speed. I try to make very slow progress upstream,(you can pass me on land walking) almost everyone passes me trolling.

dan
Out in Oregon Land where the walleyes grow bigger and we release them!

[Jigger]

Thanks for the reply Lance. I have fished the St Marys for ten years, pulling spinners on bottom bouncers. You have hit the speed right on the head. You realize that when you are fishing downstream your ground (GPS) speed has to exceed the speed of the river, otherwise the spinner won't spin. I echo your choice of willow leafs because they present more attraction to the sides of the lure. In the past two years however I have started using a lot of Smile blades because they stay out of the rocks and angel hair grass.
Thanks again, Jigger

[Silver/MI]

sorry this is a test test test

[FROGMAN]

Don't be giving away all my secrets now!!! LOL Seriously though it's amazing the way many anglers are realizing the benfits to using Smile blade spinners in place of the regular metal blades which require more speed to manipulate!
Tight lines

Keith Segar
NPAA #260