How to Troll Using Fishing Line

Use monofilament fishing line to troll deep running lures.

There are times when some fish move from the shallows along structure and the shore to deeper waters. Other fish species may be located in deeper waters at all times of the year. In either case, trolling with fishing line is a method of getting a lure or bait down to where fish may be holding. Effective in deeper fresh water lakes and in saltwater alike, trolling is used by anglers to catch game fish.

Things You'll Need

• Medium heavy rod and matched reel
• Monofilament fishing line
• Deep diving crank lure
• Weight
• Boat

Instructions

1. Attach a deep diving crank bait to your monofilament line using a Uni knot. Form the Uni by passing 3 to 4 inches of line through the eye of the lure. Bring the free end up alongside the main line to form a doubled line. Form a 2-inch loop with the free end so it is positioned alongside the doubled line. Wrap the free end around the doubled line three times, moisten the knot and pull tightly against the eye of the lure.

2. Position your boat, canoe or kayak above a location in the water where you believe fish are active. Cast the lure into the water. Begin moving the boat no more than one mile per hour and allow the lure to take line as it descends to its designed depth. Add weight to the line at or several inches above the lure to gain extra depth. Use sliding egg weights or crimp on weight to help get the lure deeper in the water.

3. When the lure reaches its designed depth, engage the spool by turning the handle so line will not continue to unspool. Work the boat around and across the area where fish area believed to be active. An area is often best worked by trolling back and forth in a straight line.

4. Vary the depth of the lure if you are not attracting fish. Reel in the line to reduce the depth of the lure in the water and continue to troll.

Tips & Warnings

• Trolling the area at speeds no greater than one mile per hour allows the lure to produce vibration in the water if the lure is designed to do so.

References

• Outfitters Ontario: How to Fish a Rapala by the Book