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
| Gear Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Rods | Trolling rods are typically 7-8.5 feet, medium to medium-heavy power, with moderate (parabolic) action to absorb strikes at speed. Longer rods spread lines further apart. Dipsy diver rods need heavy power to handle the pull of diving devices. |
| Reels | Line-counter reels are essential for repeatability — knowing exactly how much line is out determines lure depth. Level-wind trolling reels with line counters ($50-$200) are the standard tool. |
| Planer Boards | Side planers (Church, Off Shore) carry lines out to the side of the boat, covering a wider swath. In-line boards clip onto the line and release when a fish strikes. Mast systems run multiple lines from a central board. |
| Downriggers | Mechanical or electric devices that lower a heavy weight to a specific depth, carrying your lure precisely where you want it. Essential for Great Lakes salmon and trout trolling. Cannon and Scotty are the leading brands. |
| Speed Control | GPS trolling motors (Minn Kota, MotorGuide) maintain precise speeds. Drift socks slow your drift in wind. Trolling speed is critical — most freshwater trolling occurs at 1.0-3.0 mph. |
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.