Backtrolling Plugs from a Kayak

This past week I went out with a buddy of mine to backtroll plugs for steelhead from his new driftboat. It was such a pleasure to do and we hooked everything but steelhead including chinook, coho, and cutthroat. I was so jealous of the stability of that boat for backtrolling compared to my kayak it got me wondering if there isn't a better way to do it from yak.

I typically backtroll from a kayak in one of three ways and all have their strength and weaknesses.

1.) Face downstream and backpaddle as fast as I can. This method is great because you can have your rod facing straight downstream and you can watch where you are working your plug. However, it is a lot of work to back paddle and maintain your position because the aft of most kayaks is not designed to deflect current all that well so you can get thrown side to side a lot. Also I can never seem to get deployed fast enough to work those magic slots. Also when you hook a fish all hell breaks loose as you try to fight the fish and not get smashed into a rock or overhanging tree.

2.) Face upstream. I have not tried this technique much because there is really no way for me to mount my rod holder in a way that I can have my rod angled appropriately for diver fishing and watch the rod tip at the same time without it getting into my paddling zone. However, it is a heck of a lot easier to work the kayak in the current and work slowly back through a slot.

3.) Drop anchor and work the plug back into the slot by slowly free spooling. This is my preferred method but again there are just some place not safe to do this. I generally carry an oversized reel for this method so I can have 250+ yards of braid spooled up so I can work a lot of water. This is also the easiest method to deal with a fish on the line because you just bring it to the boat without worrying about getting swept into something. Although I've had some pretty scary experience anchoring in swift water with my yak and I always get a little spooked when doing so.

I am wondering if anybody else backtrolls from a kayak and what techniques they use? I would love to try out my Revo backtrolling but there are very limited stretches of water with sufficient depth to use the Mirage drive and I would be afraid of banging it up.

I usually only troll facing forward with the rod out at about 10 o'clock (can't really call it backtrolling). Most tail-outs have some sort of eddy upstream that a kayak can fit into and feed the line down the main flow. If/when the hook-up happens I can pull out into the current and either pull the fish upstream or slip downstream to the next pool and fight the fish there. It depends on the conditions, size of fish and how the fish behaves once it's hooked.

Using Hobies we generally anchor up above the tail-out facing downstream and pull the fish toward you. The drawback to this method is you don't have the option of following a big fish to the next pool quickly. This method works for class I deep rivers. Since your moving over a lot of various depths and bottom conditions the chance of damaging the mirage drive is very high, especially if your chasing your fish. Mirage drives weren't designed for running rapids.

Sitting out in the main flow facing downstream and paddling backwards to hold position sounds very difficult.

I've tried all 3 of these methods and find that sitting on anchor and slowly letting out line is the most viable.  I use a fast water "drift anchor" so following a fish is as easy as pulling your anchor rope. 
Paddling backward is kind of a pain because lyour kayak will swing from side to side in any current.  The chine is heavily influenced by the current and boils will put you sideways.
Paddling upstream isn't bad for maintaining position or slipping backward but there's a lot of looking over your shoulder which will really work your neck over the course of a day.

-Spot-

With a Hobie, you can put the drive in backwards and use it to hold position pretty easily.  I've tried this a few times and it works good: probably don't want to push it too hard or risk damaging the rudder system, but it definitely works.

I know this is an older thread but after reading it I came up with this method for backtrolling and thought I'd share it.  I must warn you if you do try this, it can be a pain to get everything deployed.   Once everything is in the water it fishes very well though.  I experimented with using a side planer and hotshot this past week and found it was an effective means to working the plug slowly down stream.  First off, I start by facing upstream in the softer/slower water near shore.  Next, I set up the planer as in the directions.  I,  then let out enough line so that the whole operation swings out about 10-20 feet away from the kayak.  I found facing upstream and backing it down slowly with the mirage drive gave me the most control.  The planer moves everything to the side of the kayak as you back down so that you can see where your plug/bait is working.  I included a pic so that you can see where the planer ends up as you back down the river.   

The side plainer idea is very interesting. I will be looking forward to your future posts.  Does the side plainer move farther across as you give it more line?

I've used side planars from the shore with great success. It makes perfect sense to use one in a kayak because it would allow you to remain out of the main flow while your plug works the high flow areas. At the same time you would need to change the fin everytime you switched to a different side of the river and yes they a real pain the in the @$$ to deploy but once deployed you are good for a while. Interesting....

Wobbler,  Yes the more line you let out once its set up the further it will move out. 

Good idea! Going to hafta try that.

Hmmm, The one thing that stands out is the difficulty of deployment. I'm heading out sometime this week and will give it a try. The ability to fish the entire hole from the relative safety/ease of the side is intriguing.

Wobbler

i bought a side planer a couple years ago but it's yet to hit the water. 

i bought a side planer a couple years ago but it's yet to hit the water.

I should borrow yours!

i bought a side planer a couple years ago but it's yet to hit the water.

I should borrow yours!

If you ever come over here to fish I'll bring it.

I uill be there in three weeks.

PM Sent

Wobbler

Absolutely a pain in the butt to deploy! LOL 

But once out there you can work a drift for a long time.