Trolling Question

[wjsmith82]

When trolling two lines from the stern, I have a high prevalence of getting the lines tangled up. My rod holders are flush mounted in the rear deck and about 6' apart. Any tricks for avoiding getting lines tangled up? different depths maybe or same distance behind boat. I have thought about rod holders that attach to the grab rail to increase the distance apart of the two lines. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[tarpleyg]

I run different depths. Only really have a problem if I turn too sharply.

Greg

[Dave]

Bill, I used to run my spread at equal distances... outside lines long and inside lines short, but I've found that this spread doesn't work so well with the narrow distances required behind my skiff. I still (usually) run the outside lines the same length but now I run only 3 lines and troll with the center line short and down the middle.

The two long lines at equal distances works well when they are rigged with similar swimming lures/baits (as I usually do) but you still need to make wide turns. You should find that, when turning, the inside line slows down and sinks some, while the outside line speeds up and rides high. When you come out of the turn, the lines both should return to strait behind the boat.

Another option is to use a deeper running bait/lure on one of the (same length) long lines and make all your turns toward the shallow running bait. You never want to turn so sharp or cut the speed to much while turning that any lines go into a slack free fall. Personally, when I want to run a deep line, I usually will run it on the short center line, and leave the two long lines running equal distance. If you choose to stagger the length of two lines, especially those running long, make your turns toward the short line so that it will sink down some and allow the long line to cross over it.

All bets are off when you get a strike ;D... this is where the captain and mate (or fishing partner) comes in, to call out and coordinate where the fish is heading and what direction to turn, slow the boat, speed up the boat, clear what lines, etc. All the while, the Captain (or someone) should have already punched the "Mark" button on the GPS (when the strike occurred) and for the captain to try and remain in the area, working and timing the fight so as to be just about ready to run down the pike (the hot fish zone) again, once the hook fish come to gaff.

[M I Fishing]

I often run 4 lines when trolling. (no problems) I have mounted rod holders on each side gunnel and two on the rear. I have also added a holder rail over the rear deck (see album) so I don't have to reach back across the deck to grab the pole. I run my two side 9' poles straight out from the boat and the rear poles straight out the back on each side. Outside lines longer than the center lines. Make wide turns. I am also set up to troll with (2) 20' cane poles.

[wjsmith82]

Thanks Greg. Thanks Dave. I appreciate this very much.

If I may ask, when running at different depths, do you use a planer board or trolling weight?

I have a "Hall Pass" for this weekend and may try for some puppy drum or troll for blues.

Thanks again.

Bill

ps, almost forgot, how far back is long, and far back is short? I think sometimes I let out too much line.

[Dave]

For me, long is 100 foot, but I may increase that some if the situation (shy fish, for example) dictates, but rarely go over 125 feet. I use a method of dropping out my bait/lure and swinging my rod forward (toward the bow) so many times to gauge the distance, and let out all other lines similarly (using the same method) but maybe not so many sweeps of the rod, depending on how far back I want each line to run.

As far as depth control, I will use different ways and techniques, again... all depends of what and where I am fishing. I have a supply of in-line leads and planer boards to cover about any situation, from shallow water (say, 12 feet) to very deep, in the case of trolling offshore for wahoo, for instance. I've use downriggers on other of my boats but now all I have to use is a poor-man's downrigger (search an old post of mine) to lay down my wahoo baits deep. Actually, I typically use the PM's downrigger to pull any planer over number 2. Having said that, I rarely use deep trolled baits any more, probably should though, but most of my trolling is for surface feeders and I rarely (anymore) troll lures for Spanish, where I might use a #1 or 2 planer.

[Dave]

I've got my eye on a set of inexpensive outriggers that I may be trying out this year. I'll then be better able to pull 5 lines. They're not super heavy duty but I think (knowing what they are) I shouldn't have a problem if I pay attention to how I'm handling them. I'll let you know if they work out.

[wilt24]

I troll six lines behind my 2180 DLX. I have two sixteen foot telescoping poles that I put out to each side. Then I have two nine foot poles pointed out. Then I place two rods straight back, that line up with the gunnels. The two middle lines are put out about 100 ft. The nine foot rods are out about 125 ft. The long sixteen foot rods are out about 150 ft. I never turn sharp, however the different lengths allow the plugs to not tangle in the turns.

[wjsmith82]

OK, promise not to laugh? I was putting lines about 100 yds behind the boat. It was great to fight the fish that long. Also, I would get multiple hook ups on the Mackeral/Blue rig. The only problem is that multiple lines almost always resulted in a big tangle.

I will pull back to 6 boat lengths when fishing multiple line.

Dave, I hope your outriggers do well for you.

Thanks again to everyone.

Best regards,

Bill

[Dave]

Not laughin' here Bill... there's a learning curve to about every kind of fishing and trolling a spread is a personal preference thing that we each do a bit differently, depending on many variables, not the least of which is the way we have our skiffs rigged... outriggers, downriggers, and even the type and location of rod holders. It's very helpful (I might say essential) to have outriggers when pulling longer, multiple lines... the higher up and out you can clip your lines, the farther back you can run them without trouble.

I remember when I used to run 6 + 1 teaser line to find fish, but most often I would bring in two, or even 4 of them when the catching got hot. To crank up the odds of a bite, if what I am doing is not working, I try something else, and the easiest to do (aside from speeding up/slowing down, and change directions often) is changing the layout of the spread. Nothing's written in stone, and so, I have been known (at times) to run a line or two 100 yards back myself... if I thought that would get something going ;D

[joejv4]

if I'm running more than two lines, I use planer boards to spread things out.
Some like the in-line PB's, I like my otterboats. I have a mast for each side.

Usually there are three or four of us when we go trolling, so that means six or eight lines can be in the water (NY regs).

fishing shallow, I'll run 2 or 3 off each board and one directly off each gunwale rod holder.

For deeper trolling, there are tons of options. Long lines with in-line weights off the boards, 300 copper, wire with dipsy divers... Oh yeah, directional divers like dipsies, can help with those tangle problems when trolling direct from the back of the boat.

My next move will be to add downriggers. I've just been given a pair, and am still trying to figure out how and where to mount them.

[wjsmith82]

Can you post a pic of these otterboats planing boards?

Thanks for the tips and Cu wire with trolling weights.

[joejv4]

Can you post a pic of these otterboats planing boards?

Thanks for the tips and Cu wire with trolling weights.

Here's a photo of an otterboat
http://www.bigjon.com/images/products/OTTBOAT.JPG

Typical rigging is like this:
http://www.bigjon.com/images/products/webBoatTip8a.jpg

On my 198 VSeries, I have mounts for the masts on either side of the forward platform, just inside the railing.
These are commercially available planer boards. You can find plans for "build-your-own" boards and masts on several fishing forums and elsewhere on the web.
In-line planer boards are also an option for getting your lines out to the side - away from each other.http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Sources/GetImage.axd?own=NC&imageid=126038