Trolling Set up?

So im new to Kayak fishing and id like to troll while im getting to the different spots i want to fish. What are some different ways you guys set up to troll for trout and bass?

KaylaG20 I'm not as good as some of the other members but my "Go to" for trolling in freshwater is a Rapala count down or suspended. I cast it 20-30yds behind me and paddle to the next spot I decide to stop and fish. I have caught tons of trout and bass this way. You might also try a Kastmaster 1/4oz silver/blue or gold. You will have to experiment with different speeds yourself. These are the two easiest lures I use to troll that seem to work the best almost everywhere. I hope this helps.-Jeremy

i use shallow diving plugs and troll either outside the weedlines if i'm on the delta. if i'm in a lake, about 10' or so away from shore, using spoons or plugs.  at amador i use grubs or plugs and just topline everything.

 i've used a deep diving broken back rebel before, but didn't catch too many fish and it always hit bottom.

give it a good cast and put it in the rod holder and start paddling. 

How willing are you to invest in gear? If you already have a good lead core reel or a downrigger setup then it's just a matter if lure selection. If you lack the above mentioned gear I would recommend investing in (or asking for some help from Santa given the season) and Abu Garcia open face reel in a price range u r comfortable with and loading it up with 8 lb test lead core and a 30 foot leader of 6lb fluorocarbon.

KaylaG20 I'm not as good as some of the other members but my "Go to" for trolling in freshwater is a Rapala count down or suspended. I cast it 20-30yds behind me and paddle to the next spot I decide to stop and fish. I have caught tons of trout and bass this way. You might also try a Kastmaster 1/4oz silver/blue or gold. You will have to experiment with different speeds yourself. These are the two easiest lures I use to troll that seem to work the best almost everywhere. I hope this helps.-Jeremy

This ^


I prefer suspending rip baits over countdown Rapalas for my favorite Sacramento area trout lakes.  In the fall, winter and early spring there is no need to mess around with complicated trolling rigs.

I have a down rigger but rarely use it. For trout, if I want to get below 6' I use a rapala JSR 5 (12') or a rapala TDD 7 (15'). The TDD 9 will dive to 20' but is a big lure if the trout are small.  Lead core and down riggers are great if you want to deeper than 15' but add weight and complexity and cost.

Small dive planer maybe?

Small dive planer maybe?

You can use a diving plane but may have to use a beefier rod and reel

Yeah, no real GREAT solution for lite line/rod deep water trolling is there....

Whatever method you choose, a trolling swivel a few feet in front of the lure prevents a lot of nasty line twist.  I use braided line to the swivel and 5 feet of light mono to the lure.  Without extra gear and at 1 to 1.5mph its easy to achieve 15 feet deep with spinners and castmaster/little cleo type spoons.

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No downrigger for me so I tend to opt for lipped crankbaits/lures that dive to a specific depth so I know they are covering that depth in the water column without having to guess how deep my lure is running. 

During the cooler water spring and fall seasons you can target both bass and trout with an SR5 shad rap. They run around 12 feet deep or so behind the boat and I like to use fresh 6 lb test for most applications. The added bonus can be larger crappie at times as well.
 
A rattletrap might be a good deeper water trolling option and could extend the time of year you could target both species in one swoop.

Many folks here are much better in the trout department, but I have had some good success with the Luhr Jensen Mini-Dipsy diver teamed with a small Sep's dodger and hoochie. Seems to run in the 20 to 35 foot range depending on speed. Best with a heavier
trigger-finger type rod with 10-12 lb test though.