Backtrolling????

[The Terminator]

Sorry for the dumb question...here goes.

I think I understand what backtrolling is- troll the boat in the backwards direction instead of forward..right?
Why is it preferred over forward trolling- what conditions warrent its use. I have a side console boat so I guess it's not doable unless I use a trolling motor.

Just curious

Tony

[Jon'eye']

It is easier to pull a wet noodle than push one. Same goes for boats.

Hope this helps some, GOOD FISHING!

Jon'eye'

[Juls_WI]

You use it in conjunction with the wind to help you move over desired areas. It's easier to hold positon, move into the wind (at slower speeds), or let the wind slip you back over spots you want to cover again.

The book Walleye Wisdom has a chapter covering boat control using this technique.

Hope this helps a bit..There is alot to cover on this subject, so the best advice I can give is to get a book and read up on it, and then go out and practice, practice, practice! :-)

Juls

[Ernie]

Boat control is what it's all about. With the motor located in the rear, you are able to make tighter turns and control speed better. You should be able to operate your boat at it's slowest speed in reverse. I have backtrolled in my partners side console in the past with some success. I have a tiller model, plus a transom mounted electric trolling motor. I hardly ever use the bow mount trolling motor while walleye fishing, only for sight fishing. I have all of my best electronics (Bottomline and Vexilar) set up for the tiller operator to see.

[ufda]

I used to backtroll with my last boat (tiller steer), but got older and with kids and grandkids water skiing got a side console (with a convertible platform and pedestal seat in front) so I find myself using the bow mounted electric a lot. Don't notice much difference. Speed control is so slow you can grow old and you are following your motor around contours. Also important is the fact I am not slopping water in my boat. Wave wackers don't accomodate ski ladders and platforms very well. But, please, I'd like to hear others reasons for backtrolling a larger boat. Have been lookiing for a good reason to justify getting one of those new Minkota electrics anyway.
ufda

[Gunga Din]

I have the same question as ufda. What advantage is there to backtrolling even if you have the perfect backtrolling boat (which my Tyee isn't) if you have an electric on the bow? ...especially if that bowmount is a Pinpoint? (soon)

[Tommy Mac]

Hi Gunga,
I can see a few advantages of backtrolling vs. trolling with a bowmount in some situations.
No matter how you look at it, you have more controll backtrolling, especially in a high wind. When its windy you will have a hard time going slow and staying in control with a bow mount. It is more comfortable to sit in the back and run the boat in wind. Yes the waves do at times break over the top of the wavewackers, ussually when it's this windy there are not many bow mount trollers holding structure. Probably the biggest reason I prefer backtrolling is that the line's are running out the bow and not past the stern where they can get hung up on motors and or transducers. Just my humble opinion. Catch A Big One! - Tom

[The Terminator]

You guys rule! Thanks for the thoughtful input.
No lines tangling in the prop....always a good thing!

Let the big girls go...Tony

[Richard]

TommyMac hit it on the head. WIND. When the electrics work too hard, backtroll against the wind or with a boatbrake backtroll with the wind. Whatever it takes to stay on your fish.

[Starfish]

I thought I'd also share a technique used by lowly salmon/steelhead fishermen like me in the northwest. What we call backtrolling out here is done in relatively fast-moving rivers. We face the boat upstream and run the trolling motor in the forward direction. The motor is run slightly slower than the current, so the boat very slowly moves backward. Most walleye fishermen probably call the technique "slipping". Anyway, the advantage of this style of "backtrolling" is that it allows a lure to be presented super thoroughly, wagging annoyingly in the face of a fish. It seems more effective for salmon and steelhead than walleye, though I've heard of some really successful use of the technique with a bottom walker and spinner/worm for walleye.

[Terry/JNR]

Although back trolling has been the prefered method for walleye fishing since forever, I prefered the side console boats. Even with a kicker they leave a little to be desired for back trolling. I think I've found a solution that alows me to forward troll with the same, if not better boat control. I use 2 Minn Kota powerdrive electric motors. An autopilot on the bow and a standard powerdrive on the stern via an AdaptEzz trolling motor adapter bracket. Using the 2 motors together finally gives the side console boats the control that till now only the back trollers had. I think you can actually out control a back trolled boat. If this may be of interest to you, e-mail me.

[Tommy Mac]

Hi Terry,
This boat controll method sounds interesting to say the least. You did not mention which way you move the boat. Bow forward or stern forward. If you are moving stern forward there is no need for the bow mount becouse the bow will simply follow the stern. The wind does blow the back end of a boat around a lot. It will not blow the front around near as much becouse the center keel acts like a rudder keeping the boat straight. Some boats handle better than others in these conditions. However if you are moveing Bow forward I do see the need for an additional control funtion. My only other thought is that if you are fishing two or three days in a row, such as in a tournament or vacation, in heavy sea's you will have a problem keeping a charge in your batteries. Catch A Big One! - Tom