Top Lining?

Ok.. help a noob out. What the heck is "toplining"? I've seen it mentioned several times when trolling for trout, etc. Searching the interwebs is showing a multitude of possibilities but nothing concrete.

Just what it sounds like. Lots of line out no down rigger or other diving device.

Great question. I'm no expert, but I think sonoramike got it exactly right, that is, trolling without any (or very little) weight.

Around here, toplining seems to be mostly for trout fishing, but back in my days living in the upper midwest, we used to try it for everything. Believe it or not, the best walleye fishing I've ever seen came from toplining a rapala while paddling a canoe (in the BWCA). Of course, that will only works when the conditions are right.

Btw, on the saltwater, you'll also see the term "flylining", which refers to putting bait on without any (or very little) weight and still (or slight drift) fishing it that way. So, kind of a similar idea...

Just what it sounds like. Lots of line out no down rigger or other diving device.

This.  I prefer floating or suspending crankbaits and ripbaits for toplining.  It's mostly a trout thing, but it can work with all sorts of predatory fish.  I've had some epic spring days toplining for smallmouth bass.

You can topline with straight mono, but this year I've become real fond of using 10 pound braid with a 10 foot topshot of fluorocarbon.  This provides greater sensitivity and hooksetting power when you have all that line out (which for me is typically 100-150 feet, depending on conditions).

Thanks guys.

Just what it sounds like. Lots of line out no down rigger or other diving device.

This.  I prefer floating or suspending crankbaits and ripbaits for toplining.  It's mostly a trout thing, but it can work with all sorts of predatory fish.  I've had some epic spring days toplining for smallmouth bass.

You can topline with straight mono, but this year I've become real fond of using 10 pound braid with a 10 foot topshot of fluorocarbon.  This provides greater sensitivity and hooksetting power when you have all that line out (which for me is typically 100-150 feet, depending on conditions).

        +1 on the braid to mono top shot! It helps if you can find a color coded braid like power pro depth hunter to get a more accurate idea of how much line you let out and when it works you can easily let the same amount out every time.

I topline tahoe often using abu 5500 line counter reels... We run 250-350 ft of line and i like straight flouro but mono is nice for stretch been using a hybrid

I topline tahoe often using abu 5500 line counter reels... We run 250-350 ft of line and i like straight flouro but mono is nice for stretch been using a hybrid

what rod do you pair the 5500 with Jude?

Ive been using sierra sticks, okuma downrigger or kokanee rods depending. Sierra sticks are my goto but ghey quit making em i think. I reall like the okuma dr rods