Trolling Spoons???

[jkr]

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?

[jkr]

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?

[penalty box]

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.

[jkr]

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.

[athenskid]

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.

[Eyezcrazy]

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.

[rscotfish]

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

[BigFishTuff]

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.

[jkr]

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.

[BigFishTuff]

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.