Anyone Use Trolling When Targeting Bass? 2025
papajoe222 reply :
Many of us northerners use trolling when targeting walleye,pike and other species. I recall a time when it was also used for bass,mostly for locating active fish, but never hear or read about it anymore. So it got me to wondering if it's a lost art, or if some bass anglers still use it. I know that personally, I have caught some nice bass while trolling for other species, but except for dragging a split shot rig while drifting, it isn't a presentation method that I consider when targeting bass.
If there is anyone here that does troll for bass, a few tips would be more than welcome. I'll start by mentioning the use of side planners. I use Off Shore Tackle's because of the simplicity. I just let out line to whatever distance and clip it on.
ColdSVT reply :
I never have for bass...but like you i have for crappie, walleye, pike and muskie
If im not in a bass tourny i am likely practicing for one and well trolling is a nono...long lining on the otherhand is a whole different story
RoLo reply :
QuoteI recall a time when it was also used for bass,mostly for locating active fish, but never hear or read about it anymore. So it got me to wondering if it's a lost art
Good question, I was wondering the same thing myself.
When I first began bass fishing, it was all about rowboats. The anchor was a coffee-can filled with cement
that had a clothes line tied to a cemented-in screw eye (now it's a 12-ft electric Minn Kota Talon...CRAZY!).
Back then, we did a great deal of 'row-trolling' and it was very productive and full of surprises.
Roger
Raul reply :
I troll for bass, I've found some really interesting spots in my everyday lake by doing so, spots that most probably I wouldn't have found if I wasn't trolling. Anyway, I still have to move from location A to location B, you only catch fish when your bait is in the water, see the point ?
Coherence reply :
Personally no, however, when my buddy and I are fishing our favorite shallow creek where we cannot use the outboard I troll long distances at higher speed (75# Minn Kota pulls my 16 foot boat quite well at top speed) and he will troll with a Live Target Baitball - it does work, he's pulled in several bass of various sizes, as well as perch and a couple of chain pickerel.
WRB reply :
Trolling isn't allowed for organized bass tournaments because it's mistakenly considered a low skill method of catching bass.
Like any presentation there are differing levels of expertise including trolling skills. I use trolling as a method to teach new anglers how to fish crankbaits, deep divers. I can control the depth and speed the crankbait is running to optimize strikes, this gives the angler one thing to think about; how the lure feels running properly when a bass strikes. I can watch the anglers rod tip working and know when something has changed like a weed fouling the hooks or hitting bottom or a bass striking. Trolling covers a lot of productive water at the proper depth by constantly keeping the boat at a specific depth following a break line.
Spreaders were first used as trolling technique, today called A-rigs for bass fishing. Trolling spreaders is very effective way to catch and locate bass. Trolling maybe outlawed during a bass tournament, not pre fishing or fun fishing.
Long lining or strolling is another type of trolling, it's not a cast and retrieve presentation, it's cast move the boat to let out more line, then retrieve. You are trolling when letting out more line by moving the boat.
Tom
PS, world record smallmouth bass was caught trolling!
geo g reply :
I have a friend that often trolls the Stick Marsh with rattletraps and does very well. He trolls about 3 MPH and catches big fish in this shallow lake.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
I have a buddy who trolls deep cranks along shorelines. He catches big fish. Not many, but they're big.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I used to troll when I fished exclusively from a 2 man when I was making an extended "run". We used to troll buzzbaits way back behind the boat across shallow flats, caught a lot of fish doing it too.
Personally trolling is right up there with going to the dentist on the scale of my favorite activities though.
G8RBob reply :
Trolling is a great way to locate and catch fish. I troll whenever I hit the lake. Usually with some type of lipless crank bait, but also with a dropshot rig. Works great, you should try it.
Lund Explorer reply :
On 7/24/2014 at 10:06 AM, papajoe222 said:Many of us northerners use trolling when targeting walleye,pike and other species. I recall a time when it was also used for bass,mostly for locating active fish, but never hear or read about it anymore. So it got me to wondering if it's a lost art, or if some bass anglers still use it. I know that personally, I have caught some nice bass while trolling for other species, but except for dragging a split shot rig while drifting, it isn't a presentation method that I consider when targeting bass.
If there is anyone here that does troll for bass, a few tips would be more than welcome. I'll start by mentioning the use of side planners. I use Off Shore Tackle's because of the simplicity. I just let out line to whatever distance and clip it on.
To begin with, I don't think trolling is so much a lost art as the fact that modern bass boats aren't setup to troll. It's pretty hard to get a 150hp plus engine to idle down slowly enough. There is also the issue of carbon buildup if that big engine is a two stroke designed to run best when it's wide open full throttle. Secondly, I think the fact that a Senko and most other soft plastics aren't designed for trolling is part of the issue. From reading many of the threads on this forum, you can imagine that the majority of anglers prefer sitting still over the idea of steadily moving.
Like you, I have caught quite a few bass when I'm trolling for other species. It has given me the idea that I might be better off dragging baits on some days when my normal routine isn't working the way I want it to. But then I think about all the bother of putting away my regular gear, dragging out all the trolling gear from the rod locker, listening to the complaints from my partner(s), and the option is shelved for another day.
If I ever get back into trolling for bass, I would also utilize my planer boards. Run the drop offs with shallow running baits over the weed tops to the port side and deeper stuff to starboard. My shallow baits would include small bladed spinnerbaits and minnow style baits like a Rapala or Bombers. On the deeper side, Shad Raps, Hot-n-Tot's, and perhaps a minnow bait on a leader behind a bottom bouncer would be my choices.
One last thought is in regards to all of the posts I read about people having a hard time learning a new lake. Imagine if they could figure out a way to cover lots of water trying to find active fish or locations where these fish hang out at. You just have to wonder if they could figure out a way to do that!
Crestliner2008 reply :
From the early 70's through the early 80's I did a considerable amount of "Spoonplugging" for bass & walleye. Very successfully too I might add. At that time, it was probably the most effective system for mapping and finding active fish. Still works today I imagine, however, with the tremendous strides in technology today, there is less need for this kind of mapping. It's easier to do that with the sonar. So, you can focus on finding structure, bait & fish more efficiently today.
I believe it is still imperative to study Perry's works for beginning anglers (and even more experienced ones), to get to really understand just what structure is and how to identify productive structures. And I'll bet if I pulled out my box of Spoonplugs and gave it another whirl, that I'd be equally successful today. However, blind trolling should never be considered a viable presentation, unless you are just out for a boat ride. JMO! 
MIbassin reply :
Many lakes around me are electric motors only, when me and my dad are using our trolling motor to get to our spot I will often toss some lures in the water and troll them. I have caught some big bass like this
RossCo91 reply :
Always use a trolling motor here when fishing,
I don't trawl "drag" my bait behind me, but I'll pitch a Jig until I find a spot where I get a bite then I will slow down and work that area slower.
Ratherbfishing reply :
If I'm moving from point a to point b and all I have is my trolling motor, you bet! i will often trail a lure behind the boat. Or if, in my searching, I cannot seem to locate fish, I'll switch to trolling. I've caught lots of bass, crappie, catfish, etc. while trolling. The second largest bass I ever caught was while trolling a shad rap in about 14 feet of water.
NathanW reply :
I would compare trolling to slow-pitch softball. Anyone can get on base, the guys who couldnt make it past high school ball are star players, and there will beer, oh yes, plenty of beer.
everythingthatswims reply :
On 7/24/2014 at 6:46 PM, Lund Explorer said:To begin with, I don't think trolling is so much a lost art as the fact that modern bass boats aren't setup to troll. It's pretty hard to get a 150hp plus engine to idle down slowly enough. There is also the issue of carbon buildup if that big engine is a two stroke designed to run best when it's wide open full throttle. Secondly, I think the fact that a Senko and most other soft plastics aren't designed for trolling is part of the issue. From reading many of the threads on this forum, you can imagine that the majority of anglers prefer sitting still over the idea of steadily moving.
Like you, I have caught quite a few bass when I'm trolling for other species. It has given me the idea that I might be better off dragging baits on some days when my normal routine isn't working the way I want it to. But then I think about all the bother of putting away my regular gear, dragging out all the trolling gear from the rod locker, listening to the complaints from my partner(s), and the option is shelved for another day.
If I ever get back into trolling for bass, I would also utilize my planer boards. Run the drop offs with shallow running baits over the weed tops to the port side and deeper stuff to starboard. My shallow baits would include small bladed spinnerbaits and minnow style baits like a Rapala or Bombers. On the deeper side, Shad Raps, Hot-n-Tot's, and perhaps a minnow bait on a leader behind a bottom bouncer would be my choices.
One last thought is in regards to all of the posts I read about people having a hard time learning a new lake. Imagine if they could figure out a way to cover lots of water trying to find active fish or locations where these fish hang out at. You just have to wonder if they could figure out a way to do that!
Try telling that to guys who troll for stripers in saltwater, sometimes they bump the motor in and out of gear to go suuuuper slow. And with the carbon buildup issue, I'm pretty sure that as long as you run it for a little at full throttle when you finish trolling, you're good.
WRB reply :
Electric trolling motor, ever wonder why it's called that and not a bow thruster.
Tom
G8RBob reply :
Seems that some get a bit snobbish about trolling. Believe it, there are techniques to trolling that will greatly increase the catch, just as there are in other type of fishing. It's not just about throwing something behind the boat and expecting to catch fish.
VegasFishing reply :
I troll for bass at Lake Mead in my float tube to locate the fish if they're along deeper structure (I have no depth finder on my tube). Cast out a c-rigged fluke or brush hog, or a lipless crank and paddle backwards parallel to shore at different distances until I find some fish. Doesn't always work but it's helped me out many times.
Raul reply :
On 7/25/2014 at 2:35 AM, G8RBob said:Seems that some get a bit snobbish about trolling. Believe it, there are techniques to trolling that will greatly increase the catch, just as there are in other type of fishing. It's not just about throwing something behind the boat and expecting to catch fish.
I´ve said that so many times,trolling is not just draging a bait with the boat
Team9nine reply :
Absolutely. Trolling is the "teacher". Certainly not near as common these days given the tournament mentality among most bassers, but definitely still effective. Best "tips" I could give for most would be to utilize the technique for its strengths, that being A.) mapping and interpretation, as well as, B.) determining proper depth and speed controls for the day.
-T9
Subaqua Adinterim reply :
I do it all the time in my kayak. If I'm going from one spot on the lake to another, as long as I need to get there, I usually put on some type of crankbait. Usually a small floating rapala or a Thin Fin. Although sometimes I just drag what I was casting. Caught a huge smallmouth once when trolling a gitset tube. I have the best luck when going across a small lake vs. parallel to shore. The kayak provides stealth as well as a more erratic movement of the lure as the paddling is not very constant vs. a trolling motor.
I have my poles mounted in front of me in the kayak so I can see if I get a hit.
I'm not proud when it comes to catching fish - just trying to catch something and to have fun. I just hope to get something that puts up a fight before I throw it back.
Raul reply :
On 7/26/2014 at 12:56 AM, cutbait said:I'm not proud when it comes to catching fish - just trying to catch something and to have fun. I just hope to get something that puts up a fight before I throw it back.
You´re gonna feel very proud the day you catch that monster bass you have been looking for.
EvanT123 reply :
I got my start in smallmouth river fishing trolling grubs, jerkbaits and beetle spins. It's definetly is effective especially under tough conditions.
For anyone that's reading this and doesn't know; the world record smallmouth was caught trolling.
Crappiebasser reply :
My grandfather is 94 and really not able to cast anymore so I take him trolling from time to time. Our best fish come dragging crank baits across points going with the current.
JimW5283 reply :
I've never trolled for bass. Doesn't seem like a very "fun" way to fish for bass. Thats just my opinion though.
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