Author Topic: Need Advice on Back Trolling! (Read 1257 times)

Siskiyou · « **on:** February 02, 2003, 09:49:19 AM »

In my part of the world when you go trolling for trout, bass, or koke's you follow the bow of the boat. Now I have been hearing about back trolling for years but I have no experience at it. Will it work for my type of fishing, and do you have any recommendations.

As soon as I get my boat back I expect to be out fishing on the Lakes. I may even try a over night trip down in the Sacramento River Delta for strippers.

Siskiyou

Selmer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2003, 06:55:18 AM »

The point of backtrolling is to slow your boat down while maintaining better control and higher engine rpm's while doing it. It was pretty much perfected on the Missouri River reservoirs in the Dakotas. In today's technology of engines with EFI and four-stroke engines, the rpm factor is pretty much pointless unless you're like me with an old-school motor. It allows maximum control in the wind at very slow speeds for pulling Lindy rigs or bottom-bouncer/spinner combos. When pulling spoons or plugs for walleyes and northerns, I troll going forwards, for the applications you mentioned you're probably doing the right thing. Backtrolling has its time and place, just know when to use it.
Selmer

MinnesotaJoel · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2003, 12:19:10 PM »

I agree, backtrolling has its certain purposes and it can be very effictive, the key is to know when to use it. Weather, water temp, and time of year will also play a factor, sometimes you need to fish as slow as you can go, and thats where backtrolling comes in. Also, if you do some backtrolling, invest in a set of WaveWhackers. They will keep waves and splashback under controll. Good luck!

Siskiyou · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2003, 06:34:51 PM »

Gents:

Thanks for the information. The Kokanee in the lakes hit a about .5 to 1 mile per hour. The larger salmon that they are putting into the lakes go for more speed. Got the ants to go fishing. Just had the boat repowered to a Mercury 60hp, EFI-4 stroke. This is a real upgrade for this kid. I was running a 50hp Force. Sounds like back trolling would work for Kokanee when one does not have a small kicker, or electric motor. The wind can be a problem on some days. Makes life interesting if I am by myself.

My primary target right now is trout. Thinking I might get lucky on a large Brown or Rainbow during the winter months.

Siskiyou

Siskiyou · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2003, 08:38:01 AM »

WaveWhackers:

They sound like a good idea. Yesterday was first day on the water with the new motor. Felt good at first turn of the key the EFI-4stroke fired-up and just kept running. Nice group of guys on other side were trying to fire up a large I/O without much luck. They tied-up one side of the ramp for 1/2 hour working on the motor. Of course they were high and dry when they did get that 26 footer out on the water.

Nice clear, but cold and windy day. Wind gust forcast 15-25 mph. Hooked first fish in about five minutes. Tried backtrolling for a bit but just to much wind and water spray. Wave Whackers would of helped, but most of the waves were caught in the motorwell. Went up a river arm and found some shelter from the wind.

On return we found the wind was really blowing out in the open with water spray on the windshield. Boat ramp was tied up by another guy repairing his motor(inboard ski boat) on the ramp.

Conclusion on backtrolling is that it is a good option in slowing my boat down to trolling speed of 1 mph or less. Using a gps to measure my speed my low forward speed was plus minus 2 mph going forward. I was able to slow down to .8 or slower backtrolling. It was difficult to get true measurements because of the high wind effect.