Trolling Spoons???

I plan to start trolling using spoons next time up to Erie. A couple questions for those that are more experienced trolling spoons:

1) What size Michigan Stinger (or other) spoons do you recommend for walleye - 3 1/4 - 3 3/4 or the mangums - 4 3/4 I believe?
2) Any favorite all-around color combos?
3) What speed should I troll - I know, depends on time of year, water temp, water clarity, moon phase, etc.. - but is around 1.8-2.0 mph good avg speed?
4) For trolling spoons, I have boards and downriggers (which I have yet to use on my boat that I purchased last fall). I realize when trolling spoons I want to be higher in the water column - again, depends on where I'm marking fish, but I figure if I'm trolling in 35' water, put a variety of depths - anywhere from 12'-25' down? Use the boards as well as downrigger or does anyone flat line off the back and use snap weights?
5) Any other recommendations you can think of?

I'm a drift fisherman for the most part(casting and bottom bouncing) and slow troll using worm harnesses but want to try some spoon trolling as I read how productive it can be...

I'll probably hit the area North of Kelly's in the next week or two and try this method. Thanks!

I use the smaller scorpion spoons, in May my favorite color is silver, I either scratch the paint off or use the ones where the paints wears off. But the rest of the year I prefer anything orange with the copper back. Confusion, rays raz dolphin, there one with an orange stripe and copper back, perch. Alot of times I run a 20,30 or 40 jet about 150 to 200 straight back. You really don't need a lot of different colors, getting the lure at the right depth is more important. They work real well behind dipseys.

Thanks guys - I figured anything with purple of course and will pickup some others. Regarding your response: "Alot of times I run a 20,30 or 40 jet about 150 to 200 straight back. You really don't need a lot of different colors, getting the lure at the right depth is more important. They work real well behind dipseys. "

Are you saying you use a spoon, then run about 6 ft flurocarbon to a dipsey, then run 150-200 feet til your board (or flat line off the boat) or are you saying you just run 150-200 back without using a dipsey?

Anyone tried those Thundermist spoons yet - the combo spoon/harness rig?

So you guys have 6-8 rods, all with line counter reels to know how far back your spoons are running behind the boards? I only have 1 counter reel - I just guess on the others (I'm a bow hunter so I'm good with yardage and then covert to feet when I cast out!) I know, not the best method but can't afford to go buy 5 new line counter reels!! What's typical of how far back you run (again, I know it depends on many factors). If using Jet 40, would 65ft back work or do I need to go more?

I use a 5 foot leader behind the jets and dipdeys. I run the dipseys off of the side of the boat 25-99 back. Then run the jets sraight out the back anywhere from 100 to 200 back. I let them out to get them away from the boat. Some wrote earlier(on a different post) how they use a toilet bowl float to get a line way back. I've never tried it.

Forgot to ask: Do you solely use Michigan Stinger spoons or other? I see lots of trolling spoons on ebay - Lots by "Lake Erie Walleye Candy" and other trolling flutter spoons.

If you don't have linecounters you can do it the old school way and count guide passes. I used to use this method back in the day. Most reels will count out about 8-10 ft for every pass of the guide but it depends on the reel, the best way is for you to take your set up out in the front yard you will also need a 100 ft. tape measure or use whatever you have and mark it off for you desired maximum distance, next tie the line around a screwdriver and stick it in the ground at the start of the tape and walk the line out while counting the guide passes and write down how many passes for every 10 or 20 ft. this way you will have your own chart and know exactly how much line is out. Hope this helps.

I just started trolling a couple of years ago. I use dipseys on a 3 setting for the sides and jets out the rear. One of these days I am going to have to try to figure out the boards. I have never tried them and am just starting to get a little understanding of how they work. My problem is understanding how to keep them from getting tangled, if you have 3 or 4 rods out each side and the center or outside rod hooks up, how do you get it in without catching the other lines? I know I sound dumb to all you board users but I'm just trying to understand before I give it a try.

Looks like good weather this week, maybe those walleye will be back on track.

Good luck everyone.

i bought all the trolling equipment line counters on 7ft ugly sticks,dipseys,jet 30s and 40s and 20s 30 michigan stingers used them for a season caught fish then sold them all invested the money into making harnesses and i just like the feel of the walleye hitting that lure when it bends your pole over like a snag and you set the hook and fight the fish even though there are days when trolling is the only way to go i do not enjoy trolling like i do drifting with worms fished lake erie for 35 years some years have been tough some great but my opinion casting and working bottom bouncers and the spring jig which was very good this year now that's walleye fishing on lake erie. fishing will pick up when the lake settles down

Thanks for that info Prkr. I think when I give it a try I'll maybe start out with 2 on each side until I get the hang of it. So do you recommend big boards?

I do agree with you rscotfish....there's nothing like feeling that tap then setting the hook. I just know when I go up and there's no wind to drift it can be a long day, that's when I want to troll.

I just started making my own harnesses this year, where is the cheapest place to buy components?

I just saw an episode of In-Fisherman where one of the guys was using a new type of line that is color coded every 25 feet. For every 25 feet of line, the lines is a different color. He just counted out the different segments and and multiplied by 25 to get his desired depth. Apparently, the line is transparent in the water so the color does not affect the fishing. Cheap alternative to line counter reels probably. Can't remember the manufacturer but I am sure Bass Pro or Cabela's could help. Just thought I would throw that out there.

I just started trolling this year. Went on Charter yesterday to get some info on how it's done. We ran 2.5"-3" spoons on the big boards behind mini dipseys between 55-20' leads. We also ran two spoons off down riggers and two off bigger dipseys at the stern.I think these were 30-40' leads. I have trolled before but not on my own boat. Seems most people use big boards but, they are a bit more expensive. As for line tangle set the furthest line the longest back and when one pops off allow it to trail to the back of the boat before reeling in.

Lots of good advice here, but you might also want to consider trolling with night crawler harnesses. Fish them with jets, small dipsys or 2-3 oz. of weight, then off planer boards. or flatline, or off downriggers. usually slow, 1.3-1.8 mph. they work shallow, mid-range and deep. I used to troll just spoons, but switched two years ago when I figured out harnesses worked better for me. The only problem is you are always reeling lines in to re-bait if you don't hook up.

peleebound just read a couple of your post and you seem to be on the right track , the color line is a cheap way , I have a way thats even cheaper, spool up with your favorite mono or even a light color braided line pull out 25 ft and mark it with a color permanent marker say start with black for 25 ft out , then take out another 25 ft out and mark it with green that will be 50 ft out , then take out another 25 ft out and mark it with red for 75 ft out and so on ,then when you are letting the line out for your desired depth you can easily see the line left on the spool and know aprox. how much line you have let out also keep a marker with you mark your line when you catch a fish then simply go back to the mark each time .:cool:
good fishing mblmike:

That was a really good suggestion! It would work perfect on the braid. Gonna remember that one if my counter ever goes out. Thanks!

Lots of great info here guys. I do troll using worm harnesses unless there is a good drift (which I prefer like others to feel the bite, give a little and bam set the hook). However, I don't think I'm getting into the right water column. I'll usually run an inline planer for mine and my buddies are lazy and just flat line off the back with a 2 oz bottom bouncer or inline 2 oz weight. One thing I haven't really done is use a Jet or Dipsey with harness so I'll give that a shot next time up. I have a Jet 40, so if I'm fishing in 35' water, and want to target those 12'-20' feeding fish, would that equate to about 65' back of the board to reach this depth? Also have a dipsey but haven't really used it. I lost the paperwork that came with it describing the depth it reaches and how much line to put out - I'll go find one on the internet and print it off...

Are most of you trolling in the mid-water column area or are you trying to get close to the bottom? I know, depends on where you are marking fish, but if the active fish are only 10 ft down, you'll never mark them anyway...

A guy on ebay out of London Ontario makes kick but full size planers. Ran them this weekend out on myers reef. Got Em for 47 bucks, buy it now.

Where exactly do you plan on trolling? Out by the reefs or by the islands. Best advice I can give you if you are running big boards instead of inline boards is use a 50 jet. You do not have to let out near the line as you would on a 30 or 40. A 50 will sink an inline board tho.We troll 6 jets and 3 dipseys per side and it is amazing how well it works. Run a 1 2 and 3 setting on the dipseys and keep about 10 ft apart. I was running my number 3 at 50 number 2 at 40 and number one at 30. Also watch you speed. Our best speed right now is 1.8 to 2.0 Here before long you can bump it up to as much as 2.6 or 2.8. knots. Dont be afraid to try going with the waves, against the waves, or if not too rough try fishing the troughs as well. You can even cut the waves at an angle(worked for us this weekend). We were running 50's back 25 to 45 ft. Which means you would have to run a 40 jet 50 to 90 feet back. Its so nice to not have to crank in a half mile of line.

Also, you can make you own boards. It will cost you about 1/2 the price. Dont be afraid to add weight to the inside of the outside board and run a stainless kickout on the inside of the inside board. The harder the pull the better you will be if you are running a bunch of lines. Also try to keep your tow line as low as you can(closest to water level as possible) to assure you are going to you desired depth.

Hey Gloomis - I plan on trolling wherever the fish are of course! ha ha. My boat is docked over in the East Harbor area so I will probably troll North of Kellys in the 35-40ft water range. If I need to, I'll head over to the West side of North Bass in the 35 ft range. Also, I only have the basic inline planer boards (Offshore cheap yellow boards). I'm planning another weekend trip June 19th weekend bringing a couple family members so I need to get on the fish for these guys coming from KY. By then, I assume deep water is the place to be but who knows... Keep up the reports.

I will definately keep up the reports. Dont be afraid to try American Eagle or Ballast or even Gull areas. Fish are spotty yet but any day it is going to explode and walleyes will be on fire. I dont know if anyone else has noticed all the dead smelt? I am sure that is not helping our cause either. Happy fishing and Good Luck. Will be up for the weekend and let you know how it goes.