View Full Version : Precision Trolling guides
Question: How accurate are you finding the Precision Trolling guide 6th edition?
For example I was trolling a Deep Reef Runner and trying to achieve 26 feet with 10/4 Fireline. Looking at the "bible" and crossing over to Fireline I figured that I needed 90 feet back to get to the same depth as the 150ft of mono. Sound right?
I went over 3 reefs that topped out at 23 feet and not once did it touch bottom or get hung up. Are you guys finding the dive curves inaccurate and have to use your own or am I doing something wrong?
Bad Finger
07-30-2002, 10:38 AM
Another key factor is speed. Did you have your speed dialed in correctly?
FreeByrd
07-30-2002, 11:32 AM
Couple of possibilities...
1) Speed is one factor although not a huge factor within the typical trolling speed range for a floating lure like a Reef Runner.
2) How high was your rod tip above the water? Readings were taken with the rod tip 2 foot above the water surface so if you have the rod vertical you need to let out more line and if using inline boards a little less. With big boards the amount will vary as the release slides down the towline.
3) Where is your transducer located. If your transducer is on the bottom of your boat and your boat drafts 24 inches the water is 2 foot deeper than what your transducer says.
4) It's possible that currents below the water affected the depth achieved. This would have impacted the speed the lure was traveling.
5) If the lure is not TUNED correctly it will affect how it runs. Probably most likely scenario.
Keep in mind the dive curves are still just a guideline - especially when you start using the conversion charts to different line. In ALL cases that I can think of I'd rather be a little shallower than I thought than any deeper.
Good Luck,
Steve
Lure out of tune usually gets it.
bregall
07-30-2002, 12:51 PM
The amount of line loaded on your reel will also affect the accuracy of the counter on your reel. Do you know for sure that you are letting out 90 feet of line?
FreeByrd
07-30-2002, 12:54 PM
Yep - another one of the variables. Use the dive curves to get close and experiment with your equipment to see what is working on a particular day, then be able to repeat it.
Good Luck,
Steve
I guy
07-30-2002, 06:44 PM
good question and comments,,, again... I had similar problems,, then calibrated the line counters in the garage and went from there. I began to doubt my cranking ability after I purchased a different boat... my biggest problem was (I think) was the fact the rod tips were set higher off the surface of the water with new boat rather than with the previous boat... I also found constantly tuning cranks makes them more suseptable the precsion trolling theory... MY QUESTION IS... Sometimes I'll be cruising along in say,,, 18' think crank is hitting 14' then I'll come up to 12' or so and still not ticking bottom then ,, then when I finally get it to hit it will continue hitting way out into deeper water even past the original depth of 14-18... I assume that possibly getting it to tick bottom once kicks it into proper tune???? or scares it into running properly any suqqestion???
key is----- ALWAYS HAND TUNE YOUR CRANK BEFORE GETTING IT WET...LOL..