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so how does everyone troll? with then against the current or do you just let er rip and go which ever way you feel is the right way that day? i always thought with then back against even though you get beat around coming back. anyone tackling those 6 footers today? i'm willing to bet i'll see a facebook post from sara j that they limited out in 3 hours and a 6 man ticket half day today lol.
thanks for the tips.
The Sara J bash is not necessary. His Facebook post from July 26th proves your wrong about that one. Capt Gary posts when it's a tough day as well as when it's a good day. Don't be a hater...it's unflattering.
It was a joke. Those guys kill it all the time. I just heard there was 6 footers up there. I truly doubt anyone was on the lake. Calm down
checked out his last few fishing posts and he never tells where he got his fish...not much help for anybody...only thing seen was 46 ft someplace... of course he's not in the business of helping anyone except his paying customers...not worth reading.
Well, he took a beating on this message board, over some guy running a Cat a few months ago, that did something stupid, and it wasn't even him....hard to tell when someone is joking....especially, when it doesn't come across that way. Sorry. Glad to hear you were only joking. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Reel_Deal
i wish i did half as well as him. the only reason i said anything was because he's always putting up big numbers in a short time. it's impressive. i've never seen him not do well.
i just wanted to get some info on trolling directions. the sara j thing was a joke because he's always posting big numbers and the lake was bearing sea friday and saturday. i doubt anyone was fishing. i wasn't reaching out to him personally. i just want to know what everyone else does or if the bite is better north south ect.Quote:
Originally Posted by fisherman 2
For me my trolling direction depends on a lot of factors. 1st being the wave condition, some day's I can troll both directions, some days only with or across. This will be effected a lot by your own person boat, and what your trolling with, larger boats and big boards can do better going into than smaller boats and in line boards.
Second is if there is a group of boats working the same area I try to go with the flow, if I can't do that I try to slide just outside and not be the boat in middle in the way. It's so rude when a group of boats are working in a pattern and one boat tries to run 90* across it. Now it's a big Lake and we all have the right to do what we need to do to get our fish, but if you can't go with the group, try to at least get on the radio and talk to ppl. There is a lot of time one boat will be working 2 or 3 fish and just can't move, getting on the radio and letting other boats in the area know what's happening most of the time they understand and will help, just give it back when they need the same.
I can see how the saha j comment could be taken both wsys. It's important to be very clear with statements on a public forum so they don't get taken the wrong way. There are a lot of great captains on a lake and most will be more than glad to help you out if you give them a little respect. If Gary has a spot he is nailing fish and doesn't want to share, how does that make him a bad person. Have you ever taken a charter with him? Have you ever shared info with him on how your trip went, where you fished, what worked what didnt. Have you ever picked the phone and called him to personal talk one on one if he has the time to do that with you? These are things that all go along way in forming personal relations.
But the best is actually to take a trip with this high quality captains, see how they are fishing, ask questions while your out. One can learn as much in couple of 8 hr trios as you can in years of doing it on your own.
I'm not saying all captains will tell you everthing, nor should they. But I've never had one not talk.
Being a member of numerous forums relating to hobbies in my life (I know fishing is not just a hobby for all here) I was kinda waiting for something to blow up lol. Arguments seem to blow up all the time on craft beer forums and I just don't get it. Needless to say this wasn't even an argument here but it's as close as I've seen yet which says great things about this community. A slight misunderstanding every few months haha. To relate to the thread I also just troll in whichever direction the lake lets me. Without a kicker on our boat (just a 40hp) on a calm day we go about 2.0. I always try and keep my speeds between 1-3 and rarely on the high or low side of that figure.
I would concur with BHAutomotive on the troll with the pack rather than trying to be a hero going across it, that's just plain ignorant and stupid. Usually when you have a large pack there's folks drifting and counting down ripping, small inline planers then guys with the big boards usually relegate to the outside of the pack doing there thing. One thing I'd like to add to those drifters and inline planers, when you are at the end of your drift and done planer boarding from the meat of the pod of fish, pull up and run back with respect outside the pack WITHOUT HUGE bouncing wave action to those still in the pack, be respectful not to spook suspended fish and go slowly back around not to encumber those fishing the pod going with the wave action that day.I personally don't like packs, there's always one rude individual that spoils the broth for everyone out there that day hence that might be why captains remain tight on giving out there coordinates to the fish.Too much pressure will shut the bite down in a heart beat.
I don't like the packs either and usually avoid them unless I'm not finding anything. We fish with 2 guys in the boat and if anything goes wrong for a second on a slightly chopppy day we could get a little off course and get in someone's way. I know this is kind of a novice mistake and I'm not experienced as most here but I've been trolling my whole life (33 years old) and stuff can still happen that takes you away from the steering wheel for a second and all the sudden you look back and you've changed direction just enough to be headed towards pissing someone off. One time I had to reel all our lines in and appologize to a boat we accidentally got too close to. No harm done though.
A lot of good points here. I for one plot each fish especially doubles and bigger ones. After trolling a bit I look for a pattern and try to run a line over the bigger fish. I would also add that although we all have equal claim to the waters, I try to give charters their line and give way no matter who has right away. They are trying to make a living. And for the most part they are quick to help anyone who asks.
When we are setting up lines originally, we try and head straight downwind.It is easier to control boat and boat not bouncing as much.We prefer to run either straight into wind or downwind once we get trolling.This is easier to control boat if there are any moderate waves and captain can see the waves and run perpendicular to them to run a straighter course.If little wind and waves 2ft or less can run any direction you want.I try and let the driver sort of control where we are running because im busy with lines and driving is soo boring.But if we are not catching, I get involved with where we are trolling.If trolling around structure,should follow contour lines.Driver should put an icon/waypoint on area that caught a double or more fish.Would not put on every fish caught but want to have several out so if one area shuts down,have another option.I believe that if you motor through a hot spot and catch like 3-5 fish in like 20min and then nothing for next 10min,i would turn around and go through that area again.Think also that you can turn off fish if run through same area too often.Think Stedke said that he tries to make a loop that takes about 30min or more to go through same area.As for speed,we troll on the lower end of most guys.Dont be afraid to change up speed and make S turns and pay attention to fish caught on a turn,to see if fish want slower or faster.Agreed on avoiding packs of boats.If not catching,run in straight line toward an area that has different depth water to see if active fish there,or may find an active pod of fish to work.As for effect of current on trolling,more difficult to gauge due to us having no way to measure.But in areas where I know there is more current,i take in consideration with speed and will add or take off a few tenths of mph to accommodate.Remember,let the fish tell you what they want.
Another way to get used to what current can do is simply get a feel for how much pull your bait has on your line in hand and make sure it stays where you want it.
Pauken 23 way to feel current speed and direction by just feeling line is much better than I can do.Not sure how you can feel that current moving at 2 mph and bouncing in the waves.