Trolling on Erie

[Maumeemoon]

I have always been successful with other methods of fishing for eyes on Erie, however I am looking to start trolling this year. I have been thinking about picking up 6 to 8 rods and line counter reels and some dipseys to start.... I have read alot of the threads about lines,lures,depths, etc.... I was wondering if any of you experienced trollers out there have any tips, helpful hints, or recommendations for the newbie troller? Thanks in advance.

[ETT]

Tips: For every application (boards, Dipsys, leadcore, whatever) standardize your rods. That is all board rods identical, all Dipsy rods identical, etc. Same with reels and line. It just makes it easier to learn.

Get a copy of Precision Trolling and read the first part 3 times before spring. I'll guarantee you'll be way ahead of the game.

Go to a reputable dealer, and make a friend, my best choice would be Denny Braun @ Sportsman Outpost in Vermilion. He'll treat you right, and never sell you a bum steer. His phone: 1 888 85 9032.

If you have questions go to "boatohio", click on "boating forums" then on "ask the expert". See you there and good luck.

[FreeByrd]

Maumee,
Definitely do as ETT suggested with standardizing on your rods for an application. And also make sure the FIRST (or next) thing you buy is a copy of Precision Trolling.

For the Western Basin, you can get by with the small (size 0) dipseys, but you may want to just get the larger size 1 dipseys if you plan to do any fishing farther east in deeper water and do the Huron thing in early fall. For Dipsey Rods, I'd suggest the Okuma medium action dipsey rods. 8 footers are most popular - I use the 8-6" models because I use the same rods for Lake Ontario Salmon fishing. These rods are around $35 each. No need to spend any more than $35-$40 for Dipsey Rods. For Reels, If you want to do it right the first time, spend the extra money on the Diawa SG27s. They are about $30 more than the Okumas. Okumas are a fine reel for the money but I have both and prefer the Diawas.

In general the Dipsey trolling program doesn't really get going until the first part of May. Before then it is mostly crankbaits off of Planar Boards. Having said that - I generally run at least a couple dipseys early in the year just to experiment. Once the dipsey bite starts - trolling becomes easy - relatively speaking. Dipseys are a very efficient method to put lots of lines in the water quickly. Some charters run as many as 5 dipseys per side. Running 2 or 3 a side will be easy for you once you get the hang of it. Other tip for dipseys. One of the no stretch spectra superlines is the way to go. PowerPro is quickly becoming one of the most popular lines. 30 pound test / 8 pound diameter is very popular. The no stretch factor makes it easy to "read" the rods and also I believe magnifies the vertical hunt of the dipseys in the water column on turns. It also allows you to go deeper with less line out because of the line diameter. Wouldn't seem like a big factor in the western basin, but can be when running a spread that includes dipseys and planar boards. That is one reason I'd suggest just getting the large size one dipseys at least to start.

Denny Braun at the Sportsman's Outpost in Vermillion, OH 888 855 9032 can get you set up with just about anything you need equipment wise and more importantly he will give you good advice. Fisherman's Wharf in Port Clinton and Jann's Necraft in Maumee have most all the trolling gear too, but it is worth a drive out to Vermillion to talk with Den over a cup of coffee and explanation.

My boat will be in the water in less than a month. I'll be docked at the Green Cove Condos for the first part of the year, and will be trolling as soon as I start fishing. If you have any other questions, post on here or feel free to email me if I can help.

Good Luck,
Steve Carlson
steve199132@yahoo.com

[perchjerker]

You have recieved some great advice from 2 very well respected anglers here. Jim and Steve have helped me out more than they know.

One thing I didnt see mentioned, if you havent done so already, is invest in some quality rod holders. Expecially for dipsey trolling. I personally have aluminum tube style holders on a sliding track system made by a small local company. Berts, Big Jon, Proline, and Tite-lok are some that come to mind here.

[flyingfish]

also, check out www.cliftond.com to see Denied's web site. check out his helpful hints page--more good advice.

[perchjerker]

Good site.
Hey Dean, that Reef Runner color chart looks a little familiar!!:)

[Denied]

Plagiarism is the greats form of flattery :)

[perchjerker]

Lol...that color chart has made me some great friends...who knew that doing it would turn out the way it did! Scott Stecher also sent me a hat and a few other little goodies. That was really nice!

By the way, I have an updated one with a few extra colors. You might want to update your site with it.

[Maumeemoon]

Thank you all very much for your help. I knew I could count on quality information being relayed at this site. Once again thanks for your help, I'm sure I might have some more questions to post as I get into this further and after my first few experimental runs. Once again thanks.

[JerryA]

I will be using Jet 20's to troll for the first time this year. Is a 7ft Medium Ugly Stick Lite with 10lb XT heavy enough to pull these. I also have some 7ft MH Ugly Sticks with 6500 levelwinds/ 20lb Berkeley Big-game. Could I use these?

[RANGER]

I don't think it would be a good idea to use your "lite" rod combo to pull jets. Your 6500 set up would be the way to go. Leave the "lite" for flatlining.

[lilfish]

forget the dipsy's.....and dont get discouraged because your not marking any/many fish.....the reason is they are in the top twelve feet of the water column, and they spook to the sides before you get a chance to mark them. It took me two days to figure this out last year pre-fishin for the RCL tournament. Finally got w/ the program and started nailen' em pretty good. Now maybe the summer pattern is a little different, but pre and post-spawn, this is the way to go. Get yourself a nice selection of Reef runners (deep divers), and away you go.....hope this helps!

Good luck!

[Den]

You have gotten some very good information here, another good way to really learn is to get a charter with a respected captain, and tell him up front that you are wanting to learn the different aspects of trolling. most will be more than willing to show you all different ways to do this during the day. sure it may cost you some money, but it will also teach you more in one day than you can learn by trial and error in a lot of trips out. i had to learn the hard way, and i dont regret it, but the way we can show people do to things the right way to start with, save a lot of headaches, and money. i have fished with many different captains, and a lot of pro's, and many more regular guys, and one thing i can honestly say is i learn something with everyone that i have fished with. just remember to NOT be afraid to ask questions. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[FreeByrd]

You are correct that early and late in the year, crankbaits and planar boards rule, but I sure wouldn't want to be without my dipseys and spoons (mostly Michigan Stingers) from May through early October. Good point about fishing up high too. Early and late in the year we always have at least one line in the top 5 feet of water, while targetting the 5 to 18 feet area of the water column. (This is while fishing over deeper water in case it is not clear - like 28 to 35 feet of water in the Western Basin.)
Steve

[Airwave(OH)]

Dens advice on this subject is 100 % right. I always suggest this. You'll learn more in one day than reading 100 magazines on the subject. And save hundreds of hours trying to figure it out. It's already been done for you -you just have to tap the source. Good Fishin
Brion
Bcombs@nwonline.net
There are some Capts. that are specializing in teaching what they know about trolling,if your interested contact me and I'll give you names.

[Rick]

If you would like to talk about trolling the first thing you need to do is talk with people who fish the area your going to start fishing in then go from there. Each area of the lake they use differant kind of line and lures.If you would like to talk about the West end give me a call i'll help you out 419 835 5264 just ask for Rick. Good luck and good fishing.

[Sharky]

Perchjerker,

What kind of rod holders do you have and where did you buy them?
I'm in S.E. Michigan too and the price of the Berts, Titelok, etc is scaring me.

[Old Guy]

Just a different opinion than Ranger's. I'm not familiar with your "lite" rod but I wouldn't hesitate to pull 20 jets with 10# test or any rod I'd use 10# on. 10+ yrs ago when in-line were fairly new to the scene, we used to pull in-line boards w/8# mono and med action spinning rods.

Your other set up is just fine for big dipsey's and a few other presentations. I wouldn't use 20# dia. line in many applications because of it's effect on lure depth and possibly lure action. 5 or 6 ft leader will take care of the lure action concerns. Count passes with any baitcaster & your as good as the linecounters, just you have to pay attention.

[Chairman]

Bert's equipment is top quality. You do not want your $150 rod and reel in something that might break. That would be really expensive. I have found for Great Lakes Trolling it is hard to beat Bert's equipment. He has a new racheting mount that is bulletproof.
Chairman
NPAA #6

[Airwave(OH)]

Plus the new holder from Berts is considerably cheaper than the old one. If I didn't have a boat full (old Style) I would own the new ones, He appears to be in touch with the people using them for sure.

[ETT]

Brian,
Are you talking about Bert or Jeff??

[Skeeter]

Hey Perchjerker, my color chart needs updating. Thanks skeeter185@chartermi.net