trolling

I just got my yak last year and am really new to the sport.  I have it set up for trolling and have tried a few times in recent months. I use a 1/2 ounce egg sinker in front of a ball bearing snap swivel connected to about  2 - 2 1/2 ft leader with the lure.  I usually start out paddling to get speed, then let the line out.  Not quite sure what paddling speed I should go (I guess it depends on the lure and my fitness level for continuous paddling).  Any tips or pointers to maximize success?  Right now I'm just trolling for trout at New Melones and Camanche.

   http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/page,32.html

Thank you for the link!

Welcome, newyakr!  Trolling is a favorite passtime of mine too.  I recommend spending plenty of time becoming familiar with how deep you're able to get as well as the presentation of your bait or lure.   Logging many miles trolling, it quickly becomes apparent that not having your bait where you want it or doing what you want it to really only equals lots of paddling.     Hooking up on a nice trout, salmon, halibut, or other victim of the troll is a worthwhile goal for any of us.  Good luck.   

No matter what lure you use, (blades /crawler, stickbaits, flashers and spoons) let out just enough line to see it inaction along side you while you paddle.  When it has the best action ( running true, great wobble, not running left or right) for that particular bait. Try and count/time your strokes.
 then after you let out as much line as you want you can get back to that perfect speed. 
Then it's a matter of letting out line, attaching weight or clipping on a downrigger to get depth.

I am still learning and am wondering what is the best speed for trolling different lures? Like with live bait I would assume that a very slow speed would be fine and if I should use a wait on live bait or just free line it? Dragging a worms ? or trolling a dodger with a lure? How much leader behind a dodger would be best to troll with? I plan to figure out this Berryessa lake sometime , I guess just lots of practice.
Thanks
Jim

Jim, etc Al;  Ricci/Fishworks did a post last year before the Berryessa Salmon Slam that went over all of these trolling techniques.  Do a search for it, or i'll try and find it later when I have time.

Thanks! I remember that now! That was a  great article and will research it.  See you on the water soon.

Thanks everyone for the tips and support.     I have been relying on a Fire tiger broken back which produces some really good action when I paddle at a slower speed; same with a small flatfish.  I tried running an apex unbaited but it didn't produce any strike at all.  I will continue practicing--anything larger than trout (salmon, striper, etc) has me a little nervous right now because of the waters I would have to go on.  I'm in a Malibu II tandem (me in the middle) and I'm sure it's pretty stable, but just the same...