Getting started with trolling????

[Labs]

Hello,

I'm considering giving trolling a try. What do I need to get started for some summer walleyes here in WI? Basically looking for the basic necessities to give it a try without breaking the bank incase it doesn't appeal to me, or the kids.

My searches really didn't turn up anything as far as gettting started.

Thanks for the help,

Labs

[perchjerker]

well, a few rod holders, a clip on line counter and a copy of Precision Trolling would be a few items to start with.

a boat would be good too ;)

[karpbuster]

My brother who is a professional fisherman, told me a long time ago trolling is the best way to test a new lake. You cover lots of water. So he use to tell me just get a white hellbender and throw it out behind you and start trolling. Well that is fine, but as soon as you catch one you wonder how much line I had out. You can count the times the line thingamajiggie goes back and forth, that works, you can hold your rod in your hand. But rod holders are really nice (especially for more than one rod) and line counter reels or the shakspeare add-on works very well.

So I would do as I did to start, all you need is a rod and reel, count the line going out and hold on. It was funny I remember going out to Elephant Butte with this advise, I didn't go 10 yards and had a 3# largemouth hit the white hellbender, cool! Keeping it simple to start works for me. I am still on just 4 planer boards at a time.

You can get a lot more consistent catching with much much more $, but I think it is journey you need to start somewhere, easy mean you can start now.

karpbuster

[Labs]

Thanks guys,

The rod holders are already installed on the boat so that's a plus. I was thinking I'd need planner boards right away but maybe not. Sounds like I need a few line counters, maybe a couple "trolling" rods and if things go well, get a couple planner boards.

I have a 75 Merc 2 stroke. Will I be able to go slow enough?

Thanks

Doug

[Burr]

Doug, you have to be concerned about the VORTEX of trolling.

Pretty soon, every dollar you make will start to be diverted to your new addiction. Linecounters, crankbaits, rods, kickers, autopilots, precision trolling, boards, more crankbaits, dipsies, jets, leadcore, GPS, more crankbaits, ahh heck, might as well just admit it, the vortex gets us all. You can start, you just can't stop.

Funny thing about that trolling stuff, the vortex gets you and soon you'll be satisfied with balancing a marriage and your new addiction. Most get to some level of restraint, with extensive therapy - others just succomb to the vortex and troll about for the remainder of their days.

Those who lose to the vortex usually end up on the internet somewhere with nicknames like Supertroller, or Perchjerker, or, well, most of us...:cheers:

[SUPERTROLLER]

I tried to quit my trolling demons once. I took up smoking crack instead to try to save some money. Now I'm still hooked into the trolling vortex and was doing it most of the time cruising around the lake with my crack pipe! I work all the time to pay for everything and I still seem to find myself back at the baitshop buying more spoons and crankbaits just before closing time. Another jet diver or diver disk here and there, too. It's a vicious circle.

[perchjerker]

LOL

I get my fix on the swap board.

[wiswalleyenut]

Labs,

I started myself in the trolling biz not all that long ago. I have the same motor you do on a 16.5' deep-v smoker craft. I could get down to 2.5mph on the gps with the bow mount in the water. I got a drift sock and hook it to the bow eyelet so it goes directly under the boat, but won't reach the motor. I went one size bigger than the package suggests. I can get down to 1.3mph now, and it doesn't handle to bad either. The sock also works great for slowing you when drift fishing. Definately money well spent in the $50-$60 range. As far as the vortex, be veeeeeeeeeeeeeery careful. I temper it by buying two cranks per trip to Fleet Farm. Problem is that I am going to Fleet way more then I really need to. Hope this helps.........

wiswalleyenut

[SUPERTROLLER]

That is how it all starts. Just one or two cranks today. Next thing ya know, you're making multiple trips per month/week/day!!! Buying another tackle box and hiding it in the back seat of your car or extended cab pickup. Boxes and bags of unopened lures on your shelves and squirreled away in your basement , just in case you lose a couple of "hot" colors. They were hot 3 years ago! HELP ME!!!!

[Labs]

Fellas,

You have me a bit nervous now. I already have a crank bait purchasing "problem" due to the fact that the Wolf River flows through my back yard. Then there is the musky problem, bow hunting/archery problem along with the duck/goose equipment problem. What's one more "hobby" going to hurt???Right???

Thanks for the help guys. In my neck of the woods my trolling experiment will probably begin on Lake Poygan.

Have a good weekend,

Doug

[SUPERTROLLER]

You're already a goner! We can't help you any more here. See ya at the next meeting.

[Wables]

You're screwed. Do your self a favor and start skimming a few bills off of each paycheck to fund your new habbit. Maybe have the wife get a second job. The good news it that after buying a dozen trolling rods with line counters, 8 inline boards, and a gross or 4 of cranks, dipsies, and snap weights, you will forget about buying more tackle and concentrate on a new kicker, controls, color GPS and depth finder, etc. Trust me. IT JUST GETS WORSE!!!!

[GATOR-EYE]

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU'LL BE HIDING IN THE BATHROOM WITH THE CABALAS MAG. AND NEW CABALAS CREDIT CARD ORDERING ON THE CELL PHONE AND SENDING IT TO A BUDDYS HOUSE SO SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW MUCH STUFF YOU REALLY HAVE. BUT THE FISH YOU CATCH IS WORTH IT, HECK, I FIGURE THE FISH I EAT AT DINNER ONLY COST ME ABOUT 700 TO 800 DOLLARS A POUND....

[exexec]

Can anyone tell me where the closest 10 step meeting are for this type of addiction???? LOL

[GATOR-EYE]

I HAVE A MEETING EVERY WEEKEND ON MY BOAT... OH THAT REMINDS ME I GOT TO GET MORE CRAWLER HARNESSES!!!!!!!!!!

[rathrbfishin]

I just started Erie trolling this summer. I'm addicted! I went on the cheap. (Not acording to my wife though, by the way, I needed a particular rod by today and ordered from fishusa.com out of erie and it was delivered Friday afternoon for $4.95 shipping} Another place that has been giving me a heck ofa deal on Okuma Convectorr is SemperFiGunworks--330-567-2506__I have been making wormharnesses and using inline boards. WOW are they producing. If you would like to hear more of what I do, email me>>rathrbfishin@arczip.com.

I am leaving tomorrow for two weeks, and you can probably guess what I am doing, Trolling Erie! If you are in Geneva area the next two weeks, give me a call on 74>>northeye, after that I will be back at the Islands.
Have Fun and keep your line wet and powder dry!

[rathrbfishin]

By the way, I make bows too!

Just not enough time in the sport of life…

[rathrbfishin]

I thought I was the only one that did that!