Overview
Trolling involves pulling lures or bait behind a moving boat at controlled speeds to cover water and present offerings to fish at precise depths. It's the most efficient way to locate fish in large bodies of water where casting would be impractical. From dragging crankbaits for walleye on Midwest reservoirs to running a spread of outriggers offshore for tuna and marlin, trolling is a versatile technique that produces consistent results when fish are scattered or suspended in the water column.
Getting Started
Basic freshwater trolling requires only a boat (even a canoe or kayak), rod holders, and crankbaits or spinner harnesses. Pull lures at 1.5-3 mph while following contour lines, weed edges, or open water. As you develop skills, add planer boards to spread lines wider, downriggers for precise depth control, and line-counter reels to repeat successful patterns.
Gear Breakdown
Key Techniques
Crankbait Trolling
Pull crankbaits behind the boat at their optimal speed to reach their maximum diving depth. The Precision Trolling app shows exact depths for hundreds of crankbait models at various line lengths. Control depth by adjusting line length, adding lead core or snap weights, or using diving devices (Dipsy Divers, Jet Divers).
Spinner Harness / Crawler
A spinner harness (colorful blades ahead of a double-hook crawler harness) trolled behind a bottom bouncer is the classic walleye method. The spinner creates flash and vibration while the nightcrawler provides scent and taste. Troll at 0.8-1.5 mph along structure contours.
Downrigger Trolling
Lower a cannonball weight on a cable to a precise depth, clip your fishing line to a release at the weight, and troll with your lure running right at the target depth. When a fish strikes, the line pops free and you fight the fish on a free line. This is the primary method for Great Lakes salmon and lake trout.
Offshore Trolling
Saltwater trolling runs a spread of lures at various distances behind the boat using outriggers, flat lines, and downriggers. Trolling speeds of 6-9 knots cover water to locate pelagic species (tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin). Artificial lures, skirted ballyhoo, and cedar plugs are standard offerings.
Target Species
Pro Tips
- Precision is everything in trolling. Use line-counter reels and GPS to maintain exact speed and depth control.
- Keep a trolling log — record speed, depth, lure, color, and location for every fish caught. Patterns emerge quickly.
- S-curves and turns change your lure speeds (inside slows, outside speeds up) and can trigger strikes from following fish.
- Color matters in trolling. Start with natural colors in clear water, bright colors in stained. Change one variable at a time to dial in the bite.
- Electronics (sonar, GPS mapping) are indispensable for trolling. Mark baitfish, structure, and temperature breaks.
- Don't overlook slow trolling — sometimes 0.5-1.0 mph with live bait outproduces faster presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trolling speed depends on species and technique. Walleye with spinner harnesses: 0.8-1.5 mph. Walleye with crankbaits: 1.5-2.5 mph. Great Lakes salmon: 2.0-3.5 mph. Muskie with large lures: 3-6 mph. Offshore saltwater: 6-9 knots. Use GPS for accurate speed — water current affects your actual trolling speed versus what the speedometer shows.
Basic trolling can be done without electronics by following visible structure (weed lines, shoreline contours) and using a line-counter reel for depth control. However, a fishfinder/GPS unit ($200-$500) dramatically improves results by showing bottom contour, baitfish, and water temperature. For serious trolling, quality electronics are a worthwhile investment that pays for itself in caught fish.