Bringing in fish while trolling?

[Tensley]

When you are trolling and have a fish on, can you haul the fish in or do you need to slow down or even stop? I am trolling around .5 to 1 mph, with two lines out. Thanks!

[hammertime]

dont know what you are using for line but at that slow of speed you should just keep going and reel the fish in and let the other line keep working and hope it picks up another fish.

[Chad]

By keeping the boat moving forward slowly you keep your lines form getting tangled. It also keeps pressure on the fish.

Now if you were cranking fast you need to slow down when you reel in the fish. The fish could open its mouth and then its like reeling in a 5 gallon bucket.

[Sunshine]

If you're using boards keep motor engaged until you take off the board. Take your time bringing big fish in. Remember that you're moving fish 1 mile an hour plus your reeling speed. Once board is off and fish is fairly close to boat you can put boat in idle speed temporarily as you bring fish in. This is for cranks going with the wind which is what we do 90% of the time. If you're going against the wind, you need to keep the boat moving or you have big problems. Hope this helps

[walleye mike]

I agree with the previous posts; keep moving. When you stop, your problems are just now beginning. If we have a hit on an inside board and she is really roaming on us, we will bring in the board(s) on that same side, but keeping the motor engaged. Also, we will only pull in other boards or stop when we have a BIG MAMA on. Otherwise, keep motor engaged at the .5 - 1.0 speed, your fine. Good luck Walleye Mike

[jumbojim]

if trolling in current do not kill kicker keep it going
jumbo

[larry g]

I dont know if you are equipt as I am, or would even try to do this. Since i cant find anyone to fish with, its a solo thing for me. I troll for stripers with as many as four lines out at the same time. To do this I depend on my auto pilot to steer while i either set out ski's or rig downriggers. Once my stuff is whre I want it the kicker motor takes over, but i leave the trolling motor in the water, if a strike occure, i cut the kicker and switch to the auto pi0olt to keep the lines from tangling, works most of the times. Had one really bad experience though, had 3 stripers on at the same time, landed two, was spooled on my other rod. Since two is the limit, home i went, total fishing time including set up, less thanan hour and a half, no it hasn't happened again.

[Nofish]

Hey Jumbojim,

How have you been? I have not e mailed you as I lost your addy. Just pop it over to me next time we are in thew chat room.

Still wanna take you up on the fishing trip maybe this fall or definately next spring.

Talk to you soon...........Ralph Muccilli

[Boatnut]

Larry,
got some questions..email me at boatnut@onebox.com
thanks
Mike(boatnut)