Personally I love trolling! Instead of having to sit on a still boat waiting for a fish to bite, it is always fun to explore the sea and enjoy the scenery. Can You Troll With a Spinning Reel? This is one question most people do ask themselves.
Trolling refers to a fishing method where baited lures are pulled behind the moving boat to help in catching fish. It is regarded to be among the most popular techniques for fishing thanks to its effective method of catching and luring fish.
Fish trolling will always require its own equipment. However, what if what you have is a standard spinning reel? Can You Troll with a Spinning Reel instead?
Can You Troll With a Spinning Reel
Yes, it is possible to spin a reel using trolling. Trolling entails tricking fish to think that the bait is the moving prey. Hence, the speed at which you will be moving the boat will depend on the habitat, size of sought after fish and nature. You can never just throw it into the waters, trolling with a spinning reel is more than dragging lines through the water. You will have to carefully choose the right time. Depth and use the right gear to ensure you successfully catch fish when trolling. Although it sounds complicated, it is easier than you might think.
Trolling with a spinning reel will make it possible for you to locate fish by covering lots of ground. It also offers speed control and depth control while maximizing accuracy. It is an ideal method for those who are not comfortable with the cast and retrieve techniques.
Despite being in a position of using a spinning reel for trolling, the strength and length are non-negotiable.
Trolling Reel vs. Spinning Reel
Trolling reel is specifically designed for use on large fish in saltwater. It is very popular in rivers, streams and lakes. They are mainly used in dragging a line behind the moving boat in large open waters. That explains why trolling reels usually have more width or are round in shape. Spinning reels are usually positioned at the bottom part of the rod. They are very similar to the spincasting reels only that they do lack plastic covers.
Baitcast or Spinning Reel for Trolling
Baitcast refers to a fishing reel type that uses a rotating spool that is attached to the fishing rod top. One can rotate the spool by turning the rotating handle situated on the reel side.
For one to successfully cast a lure using a baitcaster, the spool will have to rotate at a higher speed for it to release line during casting. The rapid, smooth and high spool rotation during casting enabled by the ball bearing system unwinds the line.
Spinning reel refers to a fishing reel type attached to the fishing rod bottom. It comes with a spool. It has a bail arm which rotates around the spool. Bail arm is rotated by turning the handle on the reel side.
When using a spinning reel to cast, the bail arm is usually folded back. This allows the line to slip from the reel. With this, the spool will not have to rotate when casting is on.
The baitcast are known to be better for bass fishing especially when using heavier lures like heavy jigs, frogs and swim baits. However, the spinning reels are known to be better when using the finesse techniques for bass.
What Type Of Reel Is Best For Trolling?
There are four main types of reels that are best for trolling:
- Spincast
- Baitcasting
- Spinning
- Fly Reels
From the four, most people prefer the baitcasting for trolling as it is the most accurate. This reel is designed to offer one immense amount of control over cast.
What Makes A Reel A Trolling Reel?
Most people are not aware of what makes trolling reels different from other reels. The most common difference is unlike in most baitcasting reels; the conventional fishing reels never allow one to cast line. In most cases, you will just have to drop the line inside the water directly and smoothly to help with covering depth and not distance.
What Size Spinning Reel For Trolling
The sizes of spinning reels can at times be confusing sine there are two different classifications of sizes that are in use. There are reel manufactures who classify spinning reel sizes from 10, 20, etc. However, there are manufacturers who categorize them from size 1000, 2000, etc. You don’t have to get confused about this; the two systems are the same. For instance, reel size of 10 is same to reel size 1000 and reel size 25 is same to reel size 2500.
In most situations, medium sized conventional reel on 6.5 to 7 feet light to medium light would be great. It is important to equip the spinning reel with an 8000 size reel on a 6.5 to 7 feet rod and a light to medium in weight when using a spinning reel.
Spinning Reel Trolling Tips
Although trolling might appear simple, it requires coordination, talent and experience. Apart from getting the right gear, below are important spinning reel trolling tips.
Lures, Direction and Speed
One common mistake most people make especially those new to spinning reel trolling is remaining at the same direction and speed. Trolling the bait in a straight course at constant rpm and speed will get one occasional strike.
Changing course and speed to help mix things will do wonders for the trolling strike. At times half a knot less or more will get fish on bite.
Hook up and Strike
In most cases, two people will be required. One will be responsible for driving the boat while the other one keeps an eye on the rods while luring the spread. Although it trolling solo is possible, having a second person on board will be of great help. In case you receive multiple hooks up, it will pay to have more people on board.
Set the Reel
Setting the reel correctly when trolling is of great importance since you will want enough spinning reel to set the hook. Reels that are tightly wounded up will lead to bust offs. Reels loosely set will not hook fish. Ensure that you engage the ratchet function of the spinning reel if there is one.
Final Thoughts
Although it is possible to troll with a spinning reel, there are a few things one has to think of. Spinning reel can be used to search if both the rod and reel meet particular specifications such as a minimum of 20 lbs. of drag and 50 lb. line weight support. You can always go for it if you have the right skills and a reel that can comfortably withstand the catch! The higher your expertise levels the higher your chances of succeeding!
