Trolling for Trout

General Fishing Discussion
1

I need some info on trolling for trout. I have trolled for flounder before but never trout, do you go about it the same way?

If you troll with a jig, do you just use a 1/4oz and bounce it off the bottom? What holds the bait to the bottom? When trolling for flounder I normally use a 1oz sinker.

Just wondering what the best technique is. Slack tide, no tide, high/low tide, depth, etc…

2

trolling was the only way my father ever fished for trout, so it was all I knew until I was grown.
He only used grubs on a jig head, but there are alot of artificials that work. Trout are generally ambush fish, they find a hole or shallow washout and lie in wait; usually in groups. You want troll fairly slow, usually idle speed and let enough line out that you feel it bump the bottom occasionally; you may need 3/8 oz jig heads. Fish the edges, 4-8’ depths, particularly near creek mouths and oyster rakes. My theory is against the current on the falling tide, but folks on here catch them many ways and different tides.

3

Yes! Troll just fast enough to keep grub off bottom! Change colors often, until you find pattern! Troll areas near deep water! Troll with the current, 2.5-3.0 mph! Water temp below 55, go to casting! I like to troll 4 lines way back! Start fishing both sides of low water! If water is moving Trout should bite! October December is the most productive time for me! If you have questions send me PM

4

Goob. Read and re-read those posts. Golden. Otl been doing this awhile.

Nice of you two to share knowlege.

Peapod will add that a mirrorlure will catch bigger trout than grubs

5
quote:
Originally posted by PeaPod

Peapod will add that a mirrorlure will catch bigger trout than grubs

I sure could use a seminar on how to work a mirrolure. I have never caught a fish on one but its mostly because I have no confidence with it. Any pro-tips?

2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com

6

Thanks for the info guys.

I live in Conway and hear that guys troll for trout in the waterway in Little River. I am going to give it a try on Christmas time off.

7

When trolling a new area it is best to determine the average depth first.I like to troll with a cork float.This lets me set my depth and prevent hanging up.Try it it works.

Stonoman

8

work your rod when trolling a mirrolure. just trolling it thru the water will not do. i jerk my rod forwards the follow the line backwards as the boat moves forward, most of the hits you get will be while your following it backwards.

green grass and high tides forever
jhp----- Murrells Inlet

9

I ran out of shrimp and had my fresh water tackle with me. I tried several crappy jigs and had some crazy luck with a small white grub with a tiny spinner.

What BGF said… trolling was the prime tactic for most “old timers” when I was growing up as well.

I’ve done it by myself, but having a partner to man the lines is the way to troll. Two way way back and two not so way back.

10

Thanks for the PM Stonoman!

2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com

11

For more years than I’d like to admitt,trolling was the most popular way by far to fish for winter trout. We always used bucktails or Mann’s stingray grubs with the flat tail. I still troll but mostly with a mud minnow on curly tail grubs.If you don’t lose a few grubs, in my opinion you’re going too fast or not fishing close enough to the shell beds. I sure haven’t caught many big trout in Toogoodo or Wadmalaw Sound this Nov. or Dec. so maybe I need to change my tactics.

You can’t catch fish on a dry line