Trolling Recommendations

I have an Elie Gulf 120 kayak that I have had for about two years now and I am looking for some trolling tips. With no Mirage Drive (still saving) and just paddling, it has been a frustrating experience at times, especially with the current off of the Claybanks/Slag Pile/Owen Beach. I did manage a nice 12 lb. silver last year trolling with a Diver/Flasher/Hoochie rig but I think I just got lucky because the Diver can just be a royal pain in the ass trying to keep a constant trolling speed with the current and not making a total mess of my gear. By the time I am done out there my arms are rubber bands. I was thinking of some sort of ball weight setup and wondered if anyone had done that or something along those lines. Thanks to all and bring on the spring!!!

Troll like you would on the Columbia or the willy.cannon ball sinker, fish flash, and herring.

For information about mounting a downrigger on a kayak, check out the following postings:

1.   http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=11486.0 , which describes how I mounted a Scotty Laketroller downrigger on my 13’ Ocean Kayak Trident, and has general suggestions about mounting downriggers on kayaks.

2.   http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=11954.0 , which describes how I mounted a Scotty Depthmaster downrigger on my 13’ Hobie Revolution.

3.   http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12575.0 , which describes how I mounted a Cannon Lake-Troll downrigger on my 13’ Revolution.

4.   http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12580.0 , which describes a “boomless” mount for a Scotty Depthmaster on a Hobie Outback.

5.   http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12596.0 , which describes another way to mount a Scotty Depthmaster on a Hobie Outback.

6.   http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=53335.0 , which describes another way to mount a Scotty Depthmaster on a Hobie Adventure.

7.   http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=37, which describes a behind-the-seat mount for a Scotty Depthmaster, and the “Downrigger Trolling 101” article by the same person at http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=32 .

The best way to make your arms feel less like rubber bands after a day of kayaking is to go on frequent fishing trips.  This solution has the added advantage of being a lot of fun.  But if the problem persists, consider investing in a pedal kayak.

Divers work by creating drag and translating it to downward motion.  Change over to a cannonball sinker.  With a flasher, you'll probably need about 8oz to keep your gear down. 
I've been trolling by paddle for years and find that practice truely does make perfect.  But to speed yourself up the learning curve, try these tricks.

- Mark your mainline with colored bobber stops at pre-defined fishing depths.
- Use beadchains everywhere there's a connection point
- Use stiff leader for everything beyond your main swivel
- Put your rod in the holder with your gear hanging just below the surface and take several strokes to ensure everything is playing nicely before you drop.
- If it looks good, get up to just above trolling speed and then release your spool.
              - If you're only going down a little ways (less than 30') then keep your thumb on your spool and stop it just short of the bobber stop.  Then let the line slip out until it's at the right depth.
               - Much over 30 feet and you'll probably need to let out line in intervals, paddling back up to speed in between
- You're shooting for a 45deg angle in your line.  Too steep and you can take off some weight or crank up a couple of turns.  Too far out and you'll need to add weight.

Hope that helps!
-Spot-

Spot - Thanks for the tips! Marking the line is an awesome idea and I will do that ASAP.

Spot - Thanks for the tips! Marking the line is an awesome idea and I will do that ASAP.

you can either mark the line or buy one of those metered line like power pro depth hunter Im gonna try that this year in the lakes for koke and if I like it gonna try it for salmon in the sound trollin, moochin, and jiggin

Hey spot what do you think is better for attractors flashers either the std kind or konezone/big als or dodgers?  I have a few konezones and delta flashers (like big als fish flash) was going to use the deep six's I have but after reading your suggestions might just use the cannon ball method like the one I use for kokes (except on a larger scale of course don't think that 1-1.5oz's is gonna get me deep enough )

Hey spot what do you think is better for attractors flashers either the std kind or konezone/big als or dodgers?  I have a few konezones and delta flashers (like big als fish flash) was going to use the deep six's I have but after reading your suggestions might just use the cannon ball method like the one I use for kokes (except on a larger scale of course don't think that 1-1.5oz's is gonna get me deep enough )

Honestly, I'm not the person to ask for info. on that area.  The standard down here is flashers but as I understand it, dodgers and hoochies are more common in your neck of the woods.  One drawback to full size dodgers is that they demand a longer leader to function properly which can make getting a fish to your net interesting.  I think you're on the right path considering this technique to be an upsized version of koke fishing.

-Spot-

I never did think about marking the line for trolling - good idea, thanks spot.

my 2 cents: for herring I've always ran my cannon ball on a slider on my main line above all the gear, and kept the leader for it around 2 feet and 6-10lb test that way if it snags I only lose the cannon ball and not the rest of the mess.

once deployed and trolling, find the depth/speed combination that lets the cannon ball bounce the bottom and not drag across it.  I've never tried this method in anything deeper than 25 feet of water, so not sure how well it will work deeper.

another option when the water clears up is to mainline a flatfish, or maglips lure.  I like doing this in ~15 feet of water.  max dive depth on those are labled on the box and usually runs in the 14 foot mark with 100 feet of line let out.  simplicity is the main approach with this set-up, but can be hard to attract fish in murky water.

another thing to consider is if the currents your fighting are strong enough to anchor up and let the fish come to you.

One consideration on choice of flashers is do you need to impart action to the lure/bait. If I'm using hoochies I like traditional dodgers and flashers that "twitch" the hoochie. But if I'm using bait, spinner, or mag warts that have their own action the inline flashers like the fish flash or kone zone gets the nod because they seem easier to troll and get down deeper with the same weight.