Last summer, I bought my first trolling rod. It was a shimano signature series 12'6" 4-6 lb line rod, and I used a shimano baitcaster spinning reel with it. I love it because it made a 2lb fish feel like it was 4 lb. Great fun. However, many times when I was trolling below say 90 - 100 feet of water, I would lose most of my fish before I could tension back on the rod. I think this was due to the rod simply not being able to put enough tension on the line without releasing from the downrigger and it resulting in too big of a loop of line enabling the fish to use this slack to get away.
A couple of questions...
1. Does this make sense? If not, what do you think I'm doing wrong?
2. If this does make sense, what do I need? Shorter rod? Heavier line weight?
In the event I need to pick up an additional rod/reel combo, ideally I would like to couple it into a casting rod/reel that would also serve this purpose (kill 2 birds with one stone). Is that possible?
I wouldnt say it is the rod, it may have alittle to do with it but I think it may be somthing else.
What are you fishing for?
What type of line do you use? Mono? If mono you have to remember that it will stretch alot and can cause you to loose fish. I like fire line but have a hard time keeping it in the release because of its size and texture.
What type of release do you use? I think this is your problem. If the release is to strong you will hook fish and drag the around all day and neve have it come off the ball, if it is to week then you will miss fish because there will not be enuf tension to set the hook.
Getting your releas diled in is abig deel when you start fishing deep. As you go deeper your line willhave more and more friction on it, there for you need to tighten up your releas, but you cant go to tight because you will not get the release you want. Best thing to do is try different things tell you learn your equipment.
As far as the rod goes it sounds light to me, but it is long so that makes up for some of that, maybe you could get a faster reel, the faster the better.
I'm fishing for Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout and Landlocked Salmon
Quote:
ORIGINAL: Guss
What type of line do you use? Mono? If mono you have to remember that it will stretch alot and can cause you to loose fish. I like fire line but have a hard time
keeping it in the release because of its size and texture.
I'm using mono
Quote:
ORIGINAL: Guss
What type of release do you use? I think this is your problem. If the release is to strong you will hook fish and drag the around all day and neve have it come off the ball, if it is to week then you will miss fish because there will not be enuf tension to set the hook.
I originally used the scotty clamp releases that came with my downriggers, but as you say, just couldn't get them diled in. So, I bought a couple of big jon releases (not the rubber band version) and have had much better success with them. Still, though I have been having this problem, even after buying the releases.
Which of the lakes do ya fish. I fish Superior and The North Sides ofHuron and MI.
I have been thinking about it and still think it is the release, but you are using the same release as me and I have had good luck with them. So I was thinking how much of a bow do you let in your line, to much of a bow could cause you to loose fish.
I use the same brand and they have worked great, so I dont think it is that. I think wjat is happening is a few small things are going wrong and causing you to loose fish; Line stretch, maybe to much of a bow in the line, and not a perfect release. None of them are all that big of a deal and I am sure you will work them all out. Just give it some time and fish as much as you can
I like a fly rod and a streamer trolled behind right after ice out !
Take your pick on the fly rod and usually around a ten pound test
leader about 7-8 feet long. When trolling deep I like a heavey real
with about 28 pound test lead core line. So I would need a heavey
trolling rod, a leader of about 8 to 10 feet of 18 pound test line,and
A few heavey spoons ( spinners ). Some people here like down
riggers to keep the line where they want it, so lead core line would
not be needed,good luck.
Gus - I'll tinker some more than. From what you said, it really isn't the rod then; thanks, that saves me some $ for fishing gear and will probably end up going into duck hunting gear c'est la vie. Last year, I fished a big lake for my region here in southern quebec called Lake Memphremagog. It isn't quite as big as Lake Champlain, and if those damn Vermonters would stop dumping their sewage into it from Newport we might be able to pull some fish out that weren't glowing. It's actually a fantastic lake with pretty much everything you expect to find here in the northeast with the exception of walleye. If you're ever in the area, look me up.
Phil - I also have 2 big trolling rods/reels with 30lb steel line on both. I tie on about 20 yards of 25lb test mono on the end and use streamers tied upside down to prevent snag ups when dragging the bottom. I ran into some problems last year with the steel line getting jammed into the reel and am planning on switching one of them to lead core; which brings me to another question. What is the ratio you use (feet of line/feet of depth) with lead core line, or does it depend on the line. I need to get down between 80 - 120 feet where I drag the bottom. For that, I've been putting out between 250 - 300 feet of steel line at about .5 mph. It's worked very well. My only concern with lead core is that I won't be able to fit enough on my spool to get to the depths I need to achieve. Any thougths?
I love using the fly rod to in early spring trolling around. I've had best success here with Magog smelt patterns.
Mustad I think it is 10 to 15 feet per color so 10 to 12 colors is
plenty. I like to use about ten feet of leader so when the big
ole lake trout sees the spoons he get to see the bait. Remember
it is dark down there. I also like my leader to be a little lighter
than my leaded line so I can save a spoon or two. If you catch a
chunk of ledge you will understand very quickly. And good luck
A bit stiffer rod might result in a more positive hook set when the fish strikes.
A more limber rod takes longer to load up; by then the fish is already turning after having struck the lure, making it easier for the lure to be released or pulled from his jaws.
In any trolling situation its a good idea to use a rod that has some give but a stronger "backbone" area on the rod down toward the handle area. The rod gives a bit, then tightens as it arcs causing a positive hook set.
Also lighter line has more stretch which also contributes to a softer hookset when the rod loads up as it bends/arcs.
I did the same type of thing for a while, meaning using lighter rods and lighter line but after losing so many fish, I went up the tackle/line scale to stronger stuff.
vc1111, I agree with you 100% about light rods and hook sets, buttrolling whith light gearcan be done and I dont think the lighter rod is the problem. I enjoy to fish with light gear, and if all the "little" things are in order then it can work just fine, and is lots of fun. You may not land everfish that hits but when ya do it is a load of fun.
I also agree about the line, and now that I know what releas Mustad is using I think this is weremost of the truble is comming from. Light lineis fun to use but in some cases it just dosent work all that good. If ya want to use light line tryFireLine or similar, NO stretch lines. They are somthing else. Th only problem is they area little harder to fish with a release, but it can be done.
VC, don't take this as an argument, not at all ment to be one, just my 2cents.
Rod/Reel combo for trolling deep...
. 
we might be able to pull some fish out that weren't glowing. It's actually a fantastic lake with pretty much everything you expect to find here in the northeast with the exception of walleye. If you're ever in the area, look me up.
