WLSTA - Western Lake Superior Trolling Association: Fishing

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Setting Up Your Boat - Suggestions for fishing success
by Jim Sapp

During those times of the year when the surface water is in it's best condition, the foods all fish eat are most abundant. Insects, micro organisms and small fish all make up a forage base, which attracts the Trout and Salmon to the surface waters. Those waters are from the very surface down to twenty five feet. One would think that with conditions like that, it should be easy to catch those fish. But, that is not usually the case. People who fish a lot realize where the problem develops. It is called "Your Boat.Fish generally don't like boats, don't use boats and really believe the boats could eat them. To avoid the problem, fish move away from the boat. Fishing persons realizing the problem, went to work and developed ideas which would take the baits away from the boat. The trolling board systems were born.

The trolling board is a rather simple Idea. The trolling boards are either single or double in make up. They are drawn through the water by a connecting line from the boator mast to the board itself. The leading edge of each board Is beveled, from outside edge backward to the inside edge. As the boat moves forward, force on the board by the water, draws the trolling board away from and to the side of the boat. The distance between the boat and trolling board Is dictated by water conditions and how well you can handle them.

Most people will try about150 feet of line on each side of the boat. It seems to be a good average for the small boater. The length of line can be adjusted shorter if water conditions are changing. Forward of the fishing area in the boat, at a distance of 7 to 8 feet above the water, the line is fastened to pull the trolling board. Be sure you can reach the lineThe actual release for use on a trolling board line should not be difficult to use. The release should clip on and will slide to a desired position on the trolling board line. It should be easy to see. Some people make them with wire loops and rubber bands. Others will just buy manufactured releases. Which ever kind of release a person uses, it should release your fishing line when afish strikes a trolled bait. How much tension to use with the release when placing the fishing line into it, is your choosing. Remember, false releasing will happen in rough water or higher speed trolling if not enough tension is allowed.

We have now come to the point where we talk about getting our baits In the water. Generally, when I am fishing top water, I choose stick baits or body baits to start out with. I use active action type of baits which work well together when trolled at similar speeds. I never apply weight to the fishing line to begin. Weight is only used as a last resort. When all else fails. I will select baits light conditions and color of the water. Light colored baits on bright days, dark colored baits on dark days. Baits which make noise in the water help attract attention to themselves. They are especially preferred in colored water. Many stick baits or body baits are produced as diving baits. It is because of this feature, weighted lines are not needed unless, you don't have them. Then you have to use weight. But remember, I never start the day with Weight.

I now let the bait out behind the boat 125 feet, no more or no less. Now you ask, "how do I determine that"? Really, It's easy. Before you go fishing, during your spare time, take your rod and reel outside. Pace off 125 feet of fishing line then mark it with something that won't come off when It gets wet. Another method Is to watch the guide on the reel travel back and forth across the reel until 125 feet of line Is let out. You count the passes the guide makes traveling from it's starting point across the reel, until it stops. (Most people use that method). Otherwise, buy a line counting gadget or reel. I'm sure you will overcome any problem with line length.

Now take the line and fasten it into your release. If you are using a rubber band and wire loop, wrap the rubber band around the fishing line snuggly and onto the wire loop. Attach the wire loop to the trolling board line and let more line off the reel. It will travel down the trolling board line to where you stop It. If you use a manufactured release, open the jaw clip and put the fishing line In 1/2 to 2/3rd's the distance from the opening. Clip it on the trolling board line and allow fishing line from the reel to go out. The release will travel to where you stop it. Repeat the procedure for each fishing line until they are all out fishing.

Allow 15 to 20 feet between each release when trolling with trolling board lines. It will keep you from having tangles when the fish grab your bait and pull the fishing line out from the release.

Don't mix weighted fishing lines and non weighted fishing lines on the same side of the boat. Keep all fishing lines the same length on the same side of the boat. THIS METHOD WILL PREVENT TANGLES.

Basic Downrigging
Downrigging is a method of trolling that uses a manually powered or electric winch and weight (cannonball) to carry your fishing lines and lures to a specific depth, where feeding fish are to be found. While downrigging is commonly thought of as a deep water fishing technique, it is more accurately understood as a method of "controlled depth fishing."

By using downriggers to control the depth of your lure presentation, you can place your lures at any depth from just below the surface to 200 feet deep and keep them running consistently at that depth. So once you've determined which depth the fish are feeding at, you can keep your lures in that "feeding zone."

When a fish takes your lure, it will pull your fishing line from the line release. This will allow you to fight the fish, unencumbered by a heavy weight.

Basic Planer Rigging
Just as downrigging allows you to control the depth of your lure presentation, planer rigging is a trolling technique that allows you to control the width of your lure presentation. This is especially effective when fishing for "boat-shy" game fish. Depending on the height of your planer mast, the planer (Otter® Boat) can achieve distances of up to 100 feet from the sides of your boat.

Line releases holding your fishing line are attached to and lowered down the planer tow line and away from your boat. When a fish takes your lure, it will pull your fishing line from the line release.

An effective way to vary the depths of your lure presentation is to tie Big Jon® Mini Divers or Deep'r Diver® disks four feet ahead of your lures. Use the divers on the lines closest to your boat.

In-Line Planer Boards
Like planer rigging, using in-line planer boards is a method used to get your lure presentation out to the sides of your boat. In-line planers like Big Jon’s Otter®, Mini-Otter® and Side-Liner® do not require the use of a mast, they clip directly to your fishing line.

In-line planers are easy to use. While at trolling speed, let your lure out to the distance you desire, clip the swivel clip at the rear of the planer around your fishing line. Then secure your fishing line in the line release on the arm of the planer

Keeping your rod tip as high as possible, place the planer in the water and slowly let out line until the planer moves away from your boat. Then set the drag clicker on your reel and place your rod in a rod holder. Long, medium-light or medium action fishing rods are recommended. Remember, the higher you keep your rod tip, the greater distance the planer can achieve. Big Jon’s large Otter® and Side-Liner® will tow the Mini-Diver and Deep’r Diver® disk if you want to add some depth to your lure presentation.

A unique feature of the Side-Liner® is it’s built in rattles for attracting fish. The Side-Liner® is the most effective in-line planer for large bodies of water like the Great Lakes.