Greetings! I am a new member from Beaufort and this is my first time posting. I am humbled by the knowledge on this forum. I want to try inshore trolling for specs and spot tail bass during winter months. My research indicates clear water is important, as are light lines, rod holders, high tides, slow trolling and keeping lures near the bottom. Paddle tail and screw tails apparently are best. Anyone on the forum experienced in trolling, and if so can you offer any advice? Would planer boards useful? My boat is an older 17 Whaler Montauk, and 90 hp Etc; no trolling motor. Thanks in advance.
Lost ; can’t say that trolling is the preferred method for reds and specks since just passing through an area dosen’t leave the bait in the areas that might hold fish long enough to prompt a bite… As the water chills down most fish especially specks get a little lethargic and won’t chase bait very much as it gets colder…Reds not quite as lazy but not far behind … IMHO you’ll do better to scout out the deeper holes during low tides near oyster rakes and flats then consentrate your efforts there… Throw TT , gulp shrimp , paddletails , work them slow to stopped , if you think you’re fishing too slow and not connecting with anything slow down even more…keep posting and as normal on this site , no pictures = it didn’t happen… GOOD LUCK , HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE…
George McDonald
US Navy Seabees,Retired,
MAD, Charleston Chapter
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
gail, thanks for your response; it is very helpful. And, thank you for your service to our country!
quote:
Originally posted by gail winsLost ; can’t say that trolling is the preferred method for reds and specks since just passing through an area dosen’t leave the bait in the areas that might hold fish long enough to prompt a bite… As the water chills down most fish especially specks get a little lethargic and won’t chase bait very much as it gets colder…Reds not quite as lazy but not far behind … IMHO you’ll do better to scout out the deeper holes during low tides near oyster rakes and flats then consentrate your efforts there… Throw TT , gulp shrimp , paddletails , work them slow to stopped , if you think you’re fishing too slow and not connecting with anything slow down even more…keep posting and as normal on this site , no pictures = it didn’t happen… GOOD LUCK , HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE…
George McDonald
US Navy Seabees,Retired,
MAD, Charleston Chapter
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
Ive only trolled from spot to spot in a trout creek but caught fish. I trolled from my kayak. It doesnt hurt to troll a line from spot to spot. I found a new spot that way.
quote:To answer your question,I’m a very experienced troller .Never heard of using planer boards round here but it never hurts to try something new.You should be fine with your setup until the water gets colder. I like to troll with the current.Sounds like you have a lot of it figured out already.Welcome aboard and good luck.PS you don’t need no fancy electric motor to catch fish.haha
Originally posted by Lost IslanderGreetings! I am a new member from Beaufort and this is my first time posting. I am humbled by the knowledge on this forum. I want to try inshore trolling for specs and spot tail bass during winter months. My research indicates clear water is important, as are light lines, rod holders, high tides, slow trolling and keeping lures near the bottom. Paddle tail and screw tails apparently are best. Anyone on the forum experienced in trolling, and if so can you offer any advice? Would planer boards useful? My boat is an older 17 Whaler Montauk, and 90 hp Etc; no trolling motor. Thanks in advance.
10 years ago, everyone was trolling for trout, and I mean everyone. It works. Now is the time. Put your baits back far enough behind the boat till they are bumping bottom (Very important). Catch fish, repeat. Ralph often tells a story of watching an old timer trolling a bank and he said “every time I near that point I catch a fish”. Ralph said “well why don’t you stop and fish there?!” Think about it!
Me and my youngest used to slay the trout at Edisto by trolling from a yak. I’d put him in the back facing the rear and he would watch the rods. When one would go down, he’d reel it in. Really miss those days.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
quote:
Originally posted by Optiker10 years ago, everyone was trolling for trout, and I mean everyone. It works. Now is the time. Put your baits back far enough behind the boat till they are bumping bottom (Very important). Catch fish, repeat. Ralph often tells a story of watching an old timer trolling a bank and he said “every time I near that point I catch a fish”. Ralph said “well why don’t you stop and fish there?!” Think about it!
Me and my youngest used to slay the trout at Edisto by trolling from a yak. I’d put him in the back facing the rear and he would watch the rods. When one would go down, he’d reel it in. Really miss those days.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
trolling for trout is lazy and not sport. There, I said it …
Optiker… that wasnt meant for you. Ralphs comment is spot on
I think it has its place. Years ago I found schooled up trout by trolling that I would not have found otherwise. And thinking back, I haven’t fished that spot since, because it’s not in a spot you would think they would be…Hmmm, need to go back there and try again 
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
I accidentally discovered trolling for trout and reds when I forgot to reel in a line and caught a trout paddling from one spot to another in my kayak. I tried it several times that same day and had a few more strikes and catches. Have done that since and been moderately successful.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
quote:Great walkback
Originally posted by P-KOptiker… that wasnt meant for you. Ralphs comment is spot on
Thanks everyone for your responses. I see the value of trolling is to find the fish, then anchor and cast that area.
I’ve never done a lot of trolling so can’t add much other than this. When I was younger it seemed all the targeted Trout would Troll. Don’t understand the “lazy” aspect of it?
I like Optikers take on it for finding “new” hot spots.
^ EXACTLY ^ (Meant for Lost Islander’s comment)
This time of year trout school up. So if you catch one there are likely to be more there.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
quote:
Originally posted by smanquote:Great walkback
Originally posted by P-KOptiker… that wasnt meant for you. Ralphs comment is spot on
There. He said it.
quote:
Originally posted by 7csquote:
Originally posted by smanquote:Great walkback
Originally posted by P-KOptiker… that wasnt meant for you. Ralphs comment is spot on
There. He said it.
Well played, sir. 
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
I use to make fun of my dad for trolling saying he was lazy! But now I am past his age I do much more trolling. A lot less strain on your sholder.
For many years a friend and I would troll and cast Yellow House on THanksgiving Friday. Many years there was a man in a greek hat trolling the same area. He always caught way more than we did. One day as we were passing he stopped and talked. From Alabama visiting his daughter here in CHS for Holidays. Before he pulled away he handed me a couple of jig heads that were probably 5/8 oz. He poured them. Been using heavy heads to troll ever since.
Mike Elrod
quote:
Originally posted by Optiker10 years ago, everyone was trolling for trout, and I mean everyone. It works. Now is the time. Put your baits back far enough behind the boat till they are bumping bottom (Very important). Catch fish, repeat. Ralph often tells a story of watching an old timer trolling a bank and he said “every time I near that point I catch a fish”. Ralph said “well why don’t you stop and fish there?!” Think about it!
Me and my youngest used to slay the trout at Edisto by trolling from a yak. I’d put him in the back facing the rear and he would watch the rods. When one would go down, he’d reel it in. Really miss those days.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
I remember 30-40 years ago everyone trolling for trout. Of course, less saltwater people had trolling motors back then, and powerpoles didn’t exist.
You’re right, the deal was to bump bottom if you wanted the best luck. White, green, or smoke/silver flake curly tail grubs, and white/red tail, green, yellow, or smoke colored Manns Stingray grubs.
PK didn’t walk sh*t back. He’s been saying that for years.