Need Trolling Advice

[wakina]

Good morning,
I own a 1983 23’ Sea Ox, Cuddy Cabin with a 1991 225 HP Yamaha V6 outboard, nothing fancy but a great fishing boat. I purchased my boat in August 2014, so this is only my second full season fishing on it. I also have a 2011 Mercury 9.9 kicker/trolling motor, never mounted. I read the forum at least 3 x’s a week, in reading the posts I have become very interested in trolling, I’ve never trolled in my life, but I want to begin next season. I am somewhat familiar with some of the terms but still a lot to learn. My question to you experienced boaters; can someone please advise me on some beginning equipment that I can use to get started? Also where is a good place to shop for trolling equipment? Although I go out by myself a lot, my boat can fish four adults comfortably, so I guess I would start with enough equipment for four, if it’s expensive I will begin with two. I don’t necessarily have to have the best equipment on the market, but I never go with the cheapest. Time is not really an issue as I plan on purchasing the equipment over the winter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

With this in mind, I would recommend that you spend your money on better reels and do the cost cutting or savings on the rods. The more expensive reels will serve you for many years but the entry level reels may only last a season or 2 depending on how much you fish. The main problem is line counter accuracy and reliability of the reels. You can always go to Wal Mart if need be and replace a broken rod for a small amount of money and be back in business in short order but a line counter reel not so much.

[Redeyedrooster]

I agree with Wakina on this one. I actually like my Berkley Big Game 7ft rods I got from Walmart, not only for the price, but for the performance/action they give me. (They are the white ones) They were less than 25 a piece from Walmart. Another good solution is 7 ft Ugly stick rods. I have several of these as well. A hint however, is get all of the same rods so they act the same when trolling.

[Centralohio112]

I agree with Wakina on this one. I actually like my Berkley Big Game 7ft rods I got from Walmart, not only for the price, but for the performance/action they give me. (They are the white ones) They were less than 25 a piece from Walmart. Another good solution is 7 ft Ugly stick rods. I have several of these as well. A hint however, is get all of the same rods so they act the same when trolling.

What action (heavy, medium heavy, medium?) 7'

[Frank]

I use 7' med heavy, seems to be better for me. Dragging in those big spinners -sheepshead, I use big board's,but just got some inlines so I think the medium hvy. Will work good with them. I used my high dollar bass fishing rods,but wanted to get rods just for walleye fishing /trolling. After some experiments with different rods, for the price, the New gx2 ugly stick seems to be a good rod.l wasn't a big fan of ulgy sticks, but progress and price has made them a good deal

[itsbob]

If don't put on kicker,get amish outfitter bags that can slow you to 1.0mph when water really cold.I did some research and bought some gear for my friends' first year trolling this year.Wanted to make things as easy as possible to start with.Bought 4 Diawa SG47LC reels and Diawa wilderness rods 8.5ft MH and spooled them 15lb Sunline mono.The rods only cost $16 at fish USA.I think the inline boards much easier to use than the big boards.I would get the offshore boards with the modified taggle flags that go down when a fish hits.I've been using the #2 tadpoles offshore makes past 3 seasons and have worked well for us.Even though they bottom out at 29fow.Get some 3oz sinkers to get deeper than 30ft.Start with worm harnesses with 6ft leader to get enough of and experience with.Can use harnesses through most of fishing season and will usually outfish spoons and crankbaits.Next season can buy two more rods and spool with braid and can fish that with a #1 dipsey.Will learn new stuff every year.Roy and Wakida really are accomplished trollers and have got a lot of good info from their threads.Make sure you read Ohio Game and Fish website also,they have even more info there.