How to Long Line Troll
Long line trolling is a method of angling where a fisherman drags 200-foot-long baited lines behind a boat to catch fish. Like other forms of trolling, long line trolling is designed to be done from a moving boat. Trolling can be done from a boat moved by drifting, rowing or motor, long line trolling is best suited for a motorized boat. Trolling long lines from a motorized boat gives the fish time to forget about the passing boat, giving them more incentive to strike at the bait.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Two rods and reels
- 300 ft. to 400 ft. of fishing line on each reel
- Lures
- Boat with trolling motor
Instructions
-
-
1
Attach lures to the lines or add a hook and bait the lines. The presentation of the lines is important for any sort of trolling. Fish will more readily strike at bait that looks like something they already know is edible. Use fish-specific lures or baits to increase your chances of catching a certain type of fish or use different lures on each lines to increase your odds of catching different fish.
-
2
Cast the lines at an angle away from the boat and allow the line to unspool off the reel. Release between 200 ft. and 300 ft. of line from the back of the boat. Secure the rod and reel with the rod extending out from the edge of the boat. Smaller boats can usually release two lines, one off each corner of the bow, without getting the lines tangled.
-
-
3
Use the trolling motor to move the boat in wide, S-shaped movements over and around the schools of fish. A flat-line troll, where the boat travels in a straight line over the fish, may also work as fish move back into position after fleeing the sound of the motor. Using an S-curve maneuver, as well as altering speed or moving in irregular patterns will give the lure a more natural look, as well as bring it into view of fish that may not otherwise see it.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images
