Trolling in shallow water

Howdy all,

The past two trips out on the Nehalem have been busts as far as Coho goes.  They count as trips one and three where I have tried trolling (and trip two was at Big Creek).  I'm pretty sure I have the rig set-up right - on the Nehalem I have been using a spreader, with a 4 oz. cannonball on a 18 inch dropper, and then 24" of leader to an 8" Kone Zone, and then another 2-3 feet of leader to an Alvin wobbler or inline spinner.

I am looking for some advice, though.  I know that my rig was just above bottom, as the cannonball was bouncing off the bottom on a regular basis, but I feel that my rig may have been too close to the boat.  I would pedal a couple of times to get going forward, and then free spool until I hit bottom.   I'd retrieve a single crank, and then start a really slow cadence, with the line out at about a 45 degree angle.  Everything that I have read.  But with the bottom between 9 and 24 feet at various spots in the bay, I wonder how effective this is?  At most, the lure was only two or three boat lengths behind me.

Does it matter where exactly your lure is in relation to the boat when trolling?

I'm betting the fish don't exactly feel safe with your kayak that close to them.  Probably looks like something that could eat them.  Go with a light weight (possibly with a different shape to make more drag) so it's not so close to the boat.  I figured that trick out in fresh water, but unless the water you're fishing in is really murky, I'd bet money that your boat scares the fish off.

First (our little secret, ok) your dropper is too long for the Nehalem. Shorten it up about six inches.

Second, you're going to need to figure out a way to bounce your offering back a bit. Sometimes I'll freespool while "hovering" and let the weight hit the bottom. Then, with the spool still open, I'll move forward, when I've gained enough distance, I'll close the spool. Eventually (hopefully) your weight will come off the bottom.

Third, I've actually discovered that it is very difficult to troll slow enough to entice fish to bite. Pace yourself with a powerboat for a while. You'll feel like you're barely moving.

I prefer trolling against the tide on that particular river.

for coho? there usually on the upper water column and they like crazy action, try a wiggle wort or a jointed Rapala near or even on the surface  or maybe just a banana weight and some spinner to run higher in the water..

10' of water....