Trolling question

[Jig Master]

When you catch a fish while you're trolling (four lines, two on planer boards) do you stop the boat to reel in, or do you keep going? I haven't even bought planer boards yet, but I plan too, and I want to be confident in what I'm doing. Thanks for your help.

[Upnorthwalleye1]

Keep going----But do slow down when it's a bigger fish or even put the boat in N----Otherwise we just keep going----Ray-Upnorthwalleye

[nosnoots]

Keep going unless its a hawg. On a lake it helps if you try to troll with the wind. That way even if you have to kick it out of gear, you will still move foreward and keep your boards somewhat spread out. If you are using leadcore, keep moving foreword all the time.

nosnoots

[RANGER]

Same-o, same-o as replies 1 & 2.

[Marble Eyes]

I will pull it out of gear if it is a hog, or I have a newbie on board or I am running cranks.

Otherwise if the Bait rig will sink to the bottom, I keep her in gear.
A couple of times of having to reset all your lines because of weeds will cure you of that real fast.

[Husky]

I agree on all three previous posts. It also depends if I am alone or with others in the boat (of course only two lines if alone) and the wind conditions. When the wind is quite strong, slowing the boat down to land a fish might get me going too slow to maintain a straight course. Then the prospects of tangled lines and frustrations of trying to maintain a heading along with landing a fish, would sictate that I'd be better off stopping.
I try to keep going at all times, unless its not possible. (short answer)

[OOC]

I stay in motion but circle to the side of the boat the fish is on slowing-up that side and returning to where the fish hit.

[P. Envy]

I keep trolling and work the fish to the rear of the boat. I prefer netting to the rear. Plus a double only adds to the excitment.

[NC]

I usually stop, because it is never a hawg. By the way, love the Hawks Flag!

[stevefellegy]

Two reasons I DON'T stop.
1. If you stop or slow down, you have stopped fishing...you virtually have eliminated a possible double.
2. And maybe most importantly, you need to keep a little forward pressure on the boards so they don't tip over and get tangled. In the waves, this can especially happen and just wastes time.

[TK_551]

Yes keep going. Just remember to take your time and maintain a steady retrieve. Do not horse the fish in or pump the rod. When the boat is moving forward and the rod is pumped or jerked, the lure is now being pulled away from the fish.

Tom
#551