4/6/14 - Skunked trolling for rainbows at Lake Chabot - any tips for a noob?

I put both reels in freespool and take 25 paddle strokes. For me each stroke is 4-5' in distance. I set back anywhere from 100-300' depending on the boat traffic, topography, water depth, water clarity, time of day, diving depth and target species. If you are pulling 2 plugs, set the deeper diving plug back a shorter distance so when turn, the lines won't tangle. Learn to paddle efficiently with little noise or splashing. Hobies do have an advantage when using down riggers and ocean trolling, but on freshwater, I prefer to paddle when trolling.

Thanks for the tips!

i'd rather do a keel weight, rubbercore or banana weight than a three way if you're not planning to bounce bottom.  A lot less hassle. 

But I don't think it was necessarily your fault that you didn't hook a trout after 4 hours at chabot. sometimes trout just don't bite.  keep at it and you'll get em figured out.

What he said!