View Full Version : Long Rod Trolling
Some folks don't like to run planer boards or dipseys -
To get the lure away from the boat - I am wondering if any one is trolling with a trolling rod - of what ever action - required for the particular thing that you are trolling - with rods in the 15 - 25 foot length???
I have never seen one over the counter - but I could see where it might make sense to run one. I think that if you did run a 25 foot rod - you would probably have to run - it with a special trolling rod mount - and possibly a forward lone - run similar to a planer board line - to help with the stress. I don't know if this would be more or less hassle - than a planer board.
Possibly - one could run a 10 foot extension from the boat - then simply have a rod holder in the end of the extension - where you would drop in another 10 foot rod - to get out 20 feet.
As I write this - it sounds more and more bulky and cumbersome - but it might be something interesting to try.
Take care
REW
"COMA"
03-03-2002, 04:40 PM
You better have a long net to net those fish. I fish with 8.6" down rigger rods and I have to have a extendable net to net them when I get one on the down rigger rods. Personaly I think the boards are the easiest and best way to get the baits out to the side a ways. How far out to the sides is easily ajustable to. Intresting subject though. "COMA"
CarpetBagger
03-03-2002, 05:13 PM
...Y not buy outriggers? I know they make long drift rods...but to tell ya the truth a nice set of planer boards are gold in my book.
CB
About +/-1995 Mike McClelland won an Erie event with long rods specially made for him. (I think they were 16 or 18' long.) He ran harnesses with inline sinkers, and the idea was create enough seperation from the inside rods to eliminate tangle, & but be very manueverable. He could turn around quickly on the small pods of fish that were present. Netting would be a consideration, I think they took the rods to the front of the boat to net fish.
It never caught on. That's the only thing that comes to mind.
Texeye
03-03-2002, 06:02 PM
I have never run a planer board, and I am curious just how far from the boat will a planer take your lure?
REELMAN
03-03-2002, 06:10 PM
I don't know about this one REW, sounds like a lot more work than what it is worth. I am a die hard planer board man myself and wouldn't leave home without them.
Now someone suggested an outrigger, which I have no experience with but Cabela's lists a Church Portable Outrigger on pg 141 of their master catalog. Runs $20.99 item # CC-01-4367. Only extends 15 feet though, but compacts down to 31/2 and weighs 3/4 lb.
Texeye,
The small in-line boards will take a lure out over 150' in calm conditions. A more typical length would be 90' +/-. Most run 2 or 3 boards on each side of the boat. 90' & 50' would be typical for 2 boards. 120' , 80' & 40' would be typical for a 3 boatds set-up. In rough conditions (4 -5' waves) the outside board may be brought in to only 50' or so. Depends a little on area being fished and the number of other boats around. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Texeye
03-03-2002, 06:33 PM
A couple more ETT? Would you say that the main purpose for planers is to spread your lines so you can run more lines at one time or is it to get the lures away from the boat? Does everyone run lines directly behind the boat even though they are running planers? Are there definitely more fish caught on planers than those behind the boat? I can see why one might use planers on real shallow fish but under 15ft. I don't see that the fish would be as spooked by the boat. We don't do that much trolling on our lakes and was wondering if it is worth what to me seems like a hassle.Thanks,
REELMAN
03-03-2002, 06:52 PM
I'll give you my insight on trolling with planers.
The main purpose for me to use the planers is to spread lines and get the plugs away from the
boat, so you pretty much answered your own question. Some days more fish are caught on
the planers with snap weights, some days more fish are caught on lead core. I like to troll 6
lines if legal. 2 lines with a heavy snap weights, 5 oz., 2 lead core poles with 10 colors of lead
on it and a 12 foot fire line leader, let out enough of the lead to just scrape bottom, and then 2
poles with planer boards on with 2 oz. snap weights.
THis set up works for me when I am trolling in the 25 foot to 45 foot range.
To me the lead core, snap weights, and planer boards all have their place. Hope I haven't
confused you to much.
Texeye,
I can only speak for myself. I use planners to create horizontal seperation from the boat. On Erie since the zebra muscles, the clearer water has forced this issue. (even down to 30' depths)
No not everyone runs flat lines, but many run Dipsy inside the board rods.
Yes there are definately more fish caught on boards than on flat lines.
It's like anything else, that is, much easier once you learn than it seems to be at first.
Get a copy of Precision Trolling, it will take much of the confusion out of it. Good luck. You might be surprised to see what the boat has pushed out to the side.
WinnerZ880
03-03-2002, 07:57 PM
I thought that might be a good idea also and have tried it a time or two using a cabela's match rod. This rod is 12' long. Just twelve feet is a big hastle. It seems a lot more clumsy in use than what it sounds like when discussed. I find the planer boards to be much better.
As I think this through - I can appreicat the problems with the long rods. Even if you are fishing in a 20 foot boat - you only have about 15 feet of open space in the boat - if you are lucky.
So, if you catch a fish - and if you fight the fish from the butt of the rod - you are going to have the net man at the bow of the boat - if you are at the stern.
I suppose, that you could drop the rod, and hand line in the fish - and if using a long rod, might be the most sensible way to do it.
I do have to chuckle a bit, when I see some folks using 15 and perhaps longer leaders trying to stand on thier tip toes, with a 12 foot net to land their fish, when; if they would simply lay down their rod - grab their line and hand line their fish, they could hand net the fish.
I think that often, we make this hobby of ours - way too complicated.
I guess that is why we all like it so much, so that we can all practice our individual differences.
Take care
REW
Lund AnglerMJ
03-03-2002, 08:56 PM
I alway's bring the 8' rod the 7' rod and put them in the front of the Lund, to troll for my quarry.I've got some 6' and 5' rod's to also make my trolling swath complete. Flat lining,and long lining work for me,in PA. or the Georgian Bay.Never leave the dock without Wally-Divers and Shad Raps.The only line for some of it is Fireline-110% it's the way to get your bait's to the fish.
Dodge1
03-04-2002, 05:15 AM
I like trolling with either my 10' or 12' rods. When I'm ready to net the fish, all I do is get my net ready and raise the rod so it's about 75-80 degrees from horizontal.
Had a rig made up similar to what you are talking about. It was either an 18 or 20 foot two piece rod. On the top section where you slip on piece onto the other I had an standard handle attached. the reel was attached to this just like with any other type rod. So here is how it works, You have two 9-10 foot sections. Start with the top section use it as a regular rod an reel. Let the line out and set the drag. Then slip your top section into your bottom section and place in the rod holder. Now you have a 20 ft. rod. To bring it in you simply pick it up slide rod to where it is joined together, pull the two pieces apart and you fight the fish as you would with a normanl set up. First time I Had it out it was quite the attention getter. Only problem I had was the weight of the total rig. Put alot of strain on the rod hoders they could not hold up. My home waters don't require planer boards for spooky fish just line separation. Used a long surf casting rod that was just to heavy. The system works if a lighter combination would be used. Hope this gives you something to think about. Maybe I should patent this idea. Just kidding.
Waz,
I was thinking exactly along those lines, and I imagine that it would work very well.
I had also thought about the use of "rod holders" and have actually designed - some rod holders that will hold up fine.
Basically - if you use the "equivalent of 1 1/2 inch steel pipe - with an appropriate base - bolt it to a very good secure area of your boat - with appropriate backing - and you will be fine.
The other thing to consider is the strength of the butt section and handle size.
Obviously the first 10 foot section - is simply an appropriatly sized piece of graphite. If you use graphite - the over all weight will be considerably less.
There would be no need for a reel seat on the first rod section.
You could use a salt water rod holder - that uses a screw in butt section - to accomodate very heavy, or very heavy action rods that would work just fine.
Thanks for the updates, and the knowledge that it has been done before and works ok.
Take care
REW
p.s.
That is why I mentioned in my first post - that if you run with such a long rig - you might want to run a cord out from the front of the boat - similar to a board line - to the butt of the 2nd rod - to minimize the pull on the rod holder. Then the only thing the rod holder would need to do, would be to keep the rod up - but not have to hold it forward. The long cord to the 2nd butt - would keep the rod forward.
Take care
REW
manitobawalleye
03-05-2002, 05:47 PM
i believe that the church extenders are basically a collapsing tube with a snap weight clip that you connect your line to...
in the 2001 walleye guide jim randash talked about 10' aluminum tubes
in a diameter that fit in his rod holder and the butt section of his rod fit in the other end....
maybe this is where church got the idea...