Shallow Trolling?

[DR]

I fish a local river where depths run up to about 15 ft, with 5-6 ft VERY common. Which baits do you think would troll best in this enviroment?

DR

[JoyofESOX]

I fish a river that is relatively the same depth range I use unweighted suicks and bobbies, sledges(both weighted and unweighted), and some top waters like top-raiders and awakers, depending on the wood in the water short lining shallow crank baits is also an option. I also like trolling single hook saftey pin spinners which don't snag-up easily but do take a little getting used to.

A planer board can also be useful to reach closer to the bank in clear water situations...you can use shallow running baits like the Slammers, Jakes etc in the straight model. I use Offshore planers + I think the Roach Walleye boards are supposed to be even better; someone who has them can attest to this. :)

Have you ever tried short line trolling? 10 feet of line out with the lure in the prop wash doesn't let your lures go too deep at any rate. Hence, even the 10" Jakes can be used in 5 feet of water. I know it all sounds crazy, but ask Magician Marc Thorpe about it all! Tight lines! Pat

[Jim McCullough]

JoyofESOX hit the nail on the head with spinnerbaits. They are tailor made for rivers. Also try Musky Innovations Shallow Invader. There's something about that rubber tail that turns 'em on.

[Phish Killer]

Repeat after me "RADDOG", the spot we fish is about 5-6 ft deep with the weeds coming up to about two feet under the surface and you can troll these spinnerbaits right over the top of the weeds at 3 mph about 15-20 feet back in the prop wash. Actually Morriscode nailed a 36" last night out of my boat doing this.
Go to www.thornebros.com and go to spinnerbaits to find Raddogs. It's all you need man!!



P.K.

Looks like it's back into the loch with you nessy

[strike_zone]

Jakes and Sledges are good baits. Another real goody is the Drifter Tackle Muskie Stalker (jointed). An awesome little bait that produces some huge fish... and it is tough as nails too!!!! (You have to look hard as they're not easy to find, but you can get it in the same colours as the Believer.) Another goody is the Magnum Shad Rap. Upgrade the hooks from 2/0 to 4/0, and upsize the split rings too. (This will substantially improve your hook-up ratio.)

And don't forget the big spinnerbaits!!!!!

Steve Wickens

[riverrat118]

Is this Steve, "Every time I get up to fish with you,I freeze my butt off," Wickens. So what's new up on the Kawartha's these days? How's the tagging program going this year?.Good to see your post. I've been really busy with work, so I don't get online to much.
John Schardt

[Skyman]

In the first few weeks of musky season I do a lot of shallow river/creek trolling. The best lures in order of fish hitting for me are:
1. a red triple (3 treble hooks) weighted bucktail about 14 inches long with a single no. 8 fluted Indiana blade in nickel.
2. Spinnerbaits in white or white/green and twin willowleaf blades.
3. Salmo Whitefish minnow bait in whitefish.