So when I moved her about 3+ years ago, I heard people trolled for trout. Being from the Gulf Coast, I only fished at night for them or on gas platforms. Anyways, I have tried trolling a number of times with no luck.
Questions that I am grateful for anyone to answer.
What tide do you usually troll on? Rising, Falling?
How long before the tide do you start? 2 hrs? 1 hr?
How far off the bank do you troll?
How fast are you trolling?
What are you pulling? What type of jigs?
Do the fish usually hook themselves or do you put the drag on very light and let them run a bit?
Any help appreciated. Humble fisherman who thought he knew it all.
I have best luck trolling on higher tides, 2 hours either side of high.
I fish very close to the grass, very slow speed, the jig needs to be bumping on the bottom. Fish with the current, that is the direction bait fish travel. Use a jig with a lot of action, I like the screw tail types. The fish hook themselves. Use a light drag, trout have very tender mouths and it’s easy to pull the hook.
Hope this helps some.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
Noah, yes, I have the best luck trolling in the winter months too. In fact I almost never troll except in winter. I also think white is probably the best all around color, but I like bright green with sparkles too. I use a heavier jig head, usually 1/4 - 3/8, it’s important to make bottom contact.
Another tip, when you do catch a fish, come back and work that spot real good by casting to it. Trout stay bunched up pretty tight.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
It’s not too early to catch some fish, but there is so much bait in the water right now that it’s better to focus directly on the places you know they feed. You can waste a lot of time trolling where there are no fish.
Trolling is a good way to find new spots in areas that you aren’t familiar with, but when you find the fish, it’s best to stop the boat and fish them. Note the location and tide stage, they are creatures of habit and move from one feeding station to another with the tide.
I never rig weedless, but yeah, it gets hung up a lot.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
Two hours on both sides of the low for starters!
When the water is moving you should be fishing!
6-12ft of H2o
2.0-3.5mph with the current
1/4oz gray jig heads
4 lines, different colors until you find the color of the day!
light drag,when fish hits, keep moving, multiple hooks most of the time! Just like Tuna fishing:smiley:
Match the bait color with grub choice.
Best Trolling day, 118 Trout, 4 hours, 2 men:smiley:
Practice makes perfect.