Kayak trolling: how to get deep?

Clayman, glad to hear you got out and trolled up some goodies.  I really like trolling from my Adventure.  Mostly top line with plugs and cranks b/c I hate the line twist resulting from dragging spoons or r-tails.  I've also have planed bait down for salmon, and have used a diving disc but don't really fancy it.  If hobies have a competitive advantage in any respect, trolling would be it, b/c of handsfree directional movement.

Next time you get the urge to go deep water trolling, pls first watch this instructional video.



Lemme see you get low, you scared you scared, drop yo azz to the flo' you scared you scared.  in "The Proposal", Sandra Bullock (gack!!) does a rendition that is rescued by the star power of Betty White

SKEET SKEET SKEET!

Haha, I hadn't heard that song in a while.  The line twist was certainly an issue!  I found myself reeling in my rig every 10-15 minutes just to make sure the worm wasn't all tangled around the dodger.  Sure enough, I was trolling a twisted-up rig almost half the time I was out there.  I definitely see where a Mirage drive would be superior for trolling, but that'll have to wait.  Need to buy a new truck first  .

The things I learned from yesterday's trolling experiment:

1) Wish I had a conventional outfit for trolling.
2) 1/2oz egg sinker is plenty weight to get down, even with a dodger.  I scraped bottom a couple times in 20+ feet of water.
3) Try bigger hooks (size 4 or maybe even 2) with threaded nightcrawlers.

When the water warms up a little, I'll start dragging a big Rapala around for those bruiser browns.  Surface temps were a chilly 34 degrees yesterday.

I've gone to 6# line with a bullet weight above a bearing swivel to a 4# leader with my lure on it. Then when the fish are actually rolling or jumping... hang one of the trolling rods up; and have a 4# ultra light rod ready to cast to them. I stopped using dodgers, flashers, and the like due to line issues. I got the flasher to work well on heavier line... but still opt not to use them.

I stopped using dodgers, flashers, and the like due to line issues. I got the flasher to work well on heavier line... but still opt not to use them.

Try using the SEPS Micro Flashers behind a 1/4 bullet weight.  They are small and lightweight enough to cast and retrieve!  Not a big dodger fan, but there seem to be ones that work better than others.  I like the shasta tackle company ones, or the small sepps ones too.

I got two words for you...The LongLiner! This thing is awesome! check them out at anglerinnovations.com. Will have some at the berry tournament for prizes! If u buy one and catch a fish with it, they"ll send you a free one just for sending in the pic. Check them out!

I got one two words for you...The LongLiner! This thing is awesome! check them out at anglerinnovations.com. Will have some at the berry tournament for prizes! If u buy one and catch a fish with it, they"ll send you a free one just for sending in the pic. Check them out!

Dude that s*** is legit!  I've been trolling 1 - 3 oz trolling keel sinkers to get down deep but that thing is just too slick.  It'll go great with my line counter!

I got one two words for you...The LongLiner! This thing is awesome! check them out at anglerinnovations.com. Will have some at the berry tournament for prizes! If u buy one and catch a fish with it, they"ll send you a free one just for sending in the pic. Check them out!

I checked out the website, and damn...that thing is really friggin cool!  I'm totally getting one.

Just bookmarked that site

http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=KzPOAAAAEBAJ&dq=steven+lumsden

looks pretty cool.  I'd be willing to give it a shot also

...The LongLiner! This thing is awesome! check them out at anglerinnovations.com. Will have some at the berry tournament for prizes! If u buy one and catch a fish with it, they"ll send you a free one just for sending in the pic. Check them out!

The concept seems sound!  Looks fishy in a good way.  Just ordered one, and hoping to compare it side-by-side with a downrigger!
Fish on!

I have one in the mail   
I wonder if I will get the Longliner first or my state parks pass?  same day order    ITS ON

I got one two words for you...The LongLiner!

Dammit Ricci, I'm trying not to shop while I'm at work. 

Never seen them before, anyone seen one in a store?  Looks like its worth a shot, but also kind of reminds me of the normal three-way trolling rigs i've seen before too. 

...The LongLiner! This thing is awesome! check them out at anglerinnovations.com. Will have some at the berry tournament for prizes! If u buy one and catch a fish with it, they"ll send you a free one just for sending in the pic. Check them out!

The concept seems sound!  Looks fishy in a good way.  Just ordered one, and hoping to compare it side-by-side with a downrigger!
Fish on!

I Just recieved some as donations for the berry event and gonna have to try them myself. Im sure you'll still have a lil rise when trolling with these like on a 3-way rig but the great thing about these, like a downrigger, you'll be able to have a long setback behind it so you could get to those spooky fish!

If you only want to get down 8ft and you are changing the depth often, why not just use a short line with a 1lb weight tied to your yak. Then use it like a downrigger. Just a thought. I have the ability to add downriggers on all my yaks, just in case. I like fishing Melones/Stampede for Kokes. You can also add 10,15, or 20ft of lead core to your main line and then a 10-15ft leader. I have used this method at Eagle Lake alot in the past and it works great. There is a way to put your line inside the leadcore, so there won't be any swivels or big knots; it will pass right through the guides on your rod.