Greenhorn with backtrolling

[Chadster]

OK, all togather now...can you say "Green Horn"? What is backtrolling and why do you do it?

[Rudy]

Backtrolling is when you position the transom of boat into the wind or current if there is either.It is mostly done with boats with a tiller not a steering wheel.It is best to install splash guards to keep water from splashing in.You idle the moter in reverse while doing this you can work a structure line very precise.You have compleat boat control to fish jigs and lures or bait verticle.It sounds kinda funny to go backwards and takes a little time to master but it is A very deadly method to take fish.:7

[T-Mac]

You can best control the boat in some conditions by "back-trolling".
Lets say you have winds picking up to the point where you can no longer, easily keep the boat on the spot you want to fish by using your electric bow-mount.

Well, let the wind blow the bow down wind , like it wants to go any way, throw out a drift sock off the bow and put the engine in reverse and start backing into the waves. You now have control of the spot and the presentation, again. You can go backwards, or just hold , or even "slip" forward slowly with the wind. And, you can relax and enjoy yourself while doing so.

Or, perhaps you are fishing a river with current. There is a slight breeze trying to move the boat up stream rendering it difficult to keep bottom contact with the small jig the fish are liking, being presented in a vertical manner.

Well, take your transom mount electric and back toward the wind using just enough power to off-set the wind and put yourself straight above your small jig again. You are once again controlling the boat, and thus the presentation of the bait, to remain on the "spot" or on the fish. This is just another example of back-trolling.

Or, you could do the same thing with your gas engine, again using a drift sock off the bow to keep the bow in line, and slow the progress, then slipping it in and out of gear to maintain your desired position of the boat.

Usually when "back-trolling" you aren't even trolling, instead, you are simply using the wind to your best advatage and controlling the presentation of the lure in the spot you want to present it.

You can turn much more quickly, and easliy while moving in reverse, especially when attempting to fish in slow motion.
But....you can do it best with a boat that is designed to be used that way.

[Chadster]

Thanks guys...lets see if I understand.

In a lake or situation with no current you would probably only use backtrolling in higher winds or if you wanted to maintain very exacting boat position in combination with a drift sock. I would presume mostly for vertical jigging.

In a river or situation with current you would use backtrolling in high current or a combination of wind and current working togather. Again I presume you would use this primarily for vertical jigging.

What if you have wind in one direction and current in the other? And for clarification, you wouldn't use a drift sock in a current situation would you?

[TANK]

I'd like to add a couple of other points not mentioned previously, we do in fact backtroll, pulling spinners, for several reasons. 1. we can fish 3 out of the boat, one on either side and one off the bow. Never a tangled line. 2. No one getting caught in the kicker prop. 3. You can follow a breakline extremely well (transducers on back of the boat) so you make immediate corrections. 4. Driver can see any hazards easier, not having to look over or around bow. Which is good because the prop is going to hit it first, (no skag to protect it). 5. I find it easier to control my speed, from holding the boat on a particular point to trolling quite fast.

We almost always go into the wind (& waves) so for obvious reasons, a good set of wavewackers is in order!! Understand that most of this is done in water from 4' to 20' and often within a few yards of shore. It may not be practical for the great lakes.

[T-Mac]

Actually, it works good when windy, to do that.

[TBO/MN]

You guys explained that extremely well, so well infact, I think I will try doing this "back trolling"........hahahahahahahahah

Great job guys,

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[DELGUE]

From another Greenhorn- when the water temp is below 32 and temperature is below 25, if you try backtrolling in current you will form a large heavy icecube inthe transome that wont thaw out until spring or there is sustained heat in your garage for about 5 hours, dont forget to place buckets under the scupper holes in the transome or your garage will have a place to ice skate on.
good luck