Trolling cranks shallow?

[locomoto]

I live near some lakes that are quite shallow, as in 7 ft. max depth. These lakes are largely mud flats without a lot of structure with the exception of a few small islands. I have trolled and bottom bounced these lakes previously with some moderate success. This year in an effort to produce more fish I plan on fine tuning my presentation. I've armed myself with more shallow running crankbaits that require a longer lead length to achieve proper depth according to the Precision Trolling book. I guess my way of thinking is that since the water column is quite short I need to present my baits as far away from the boat/motor as possible to prevent spooking Old Marble Eyes. There isn't a lot of pleasure boating pressure on these lakes so I'm not too concerned with water skiers cutting me off.

Is my way of thinking headed in the right direction? Do any of you folks troll shallow waters and have any suggestions?

Thanks

[S.Larson]

Are you using inline planer boards???,...

There a must have for me in that situation,.....

[1625rebel]

I'm not the best to ask because my trolling is usually 13-25 feet. But on the occasions that I do come that shallow at night, I use a planer board. Even if you are long lining back aways, you are still passing over the fish. Getting your lure 30-40 feet away from the boat will give you a stealhier approach I think.

Mini planers are reversable and work to the port or starboard with a 2 minute modification. These will be pulled under by the larger deeper divers though. The normal size planers will pull nicely to the side, but are either port or starboard only.

[locomoto]

I forgot to mention I use a Big Jon mast and Otter Boats. That seems to get me away from the side of the boat real well.

[Lundexp]

I fish Storm Lake which is a real shallow lake, 8 ft max with the exception of dredge cuts and is basically a mud flat lake too as well. Shallow shad raps are the best producers on that lake when trolling and that is all I ever use. Yes you do have to let a bit of line out to get it down to the depth, and speed does make a difference too as well. Planer boards are used alot too as well. Good Luck

[duckbutter]

I don't know how much line you have on the big board. My experience with shallow water trolling is to use in line boards. I send the two outside boards out 150 to 200 feet and the inside boards 100 to 150. I do a fair amount of trolling in 6 to 8 foot water that has 2 or 3 feet of weeds. When I am only getting my baits down two or three feet, the farther away from the boat you can get them the better.

[locomoto]

I do have quite a bit of line on the big boards. I will have to see how far out I can get them and still manage to turn the boat. I can see a set of in-lines appearing in my possession soon though.

[TomP.]

I fish the Mississippi alot pools 4, 5, 7, here if the water is at all colored we will troll shallow raps running 30 - 40 feet behind the boat in 3-5 foot of water. It seems here on the river these walleyes don`t care about boats running over the top of them. There is a shallow flat roughly 3 feet deep boats running all over the top of it and they look at me like I am nuts trolling it. I have caught a ton of walleyes off that flat with jet skis`s and boats running thru there.

[T Mac]

Originally Posted by locomoto

I live near some lakes that are quite shallow, as in 7 ft. max depth. These lakes are largely mud flats without a lot of structure with the exception of a few small islands. I have trolled and bottom bounced these lakes previously with some moderate success. This year in an effort to produce more fish I plan on fine tuning my presentation. I've armed myself with more shallow running crankbaits that require a longer lead length to achieve proper depth according to the Precision Trolling book. I guess my way of thinking is that since the water column is quite short I need to present my baits as far away from the boat/motor as possible to prevent spooking Old Marble Eyes. There isn't a lot of pleasure boating pressure on these lakes so I'm not too concerned with water skiers cutting me off.

Is my way of thinking headed in the right direction? Do any of you folks troll shallow waters and have any suggestions?

Thanks

#5 Shad raps work good for me in 7' of water....trolled 1.6 to 1.8mph with the electric.