Why troll for bass?

[bulletbob]

I have a question about trolling stripers maybe someone can answer.. I don't see much about using downriggers or dipsey divers in salt water fishing.. Any reason for that?? Up here thats all that is used for trolling big pacific salmon in Lake Ontario. I realize stripers aren't as deep as salmon generally, but if you are marking scattered pods of stripers at oh I dunno maybe 25 feet down over 30 or 35, downriggers would get you in the zone very easily. accurately and quickly.. Maybe some saltwater guys do use downriggers but I don't hear much about it. Same with dipseys..
I don't like either, but there is NO doubt, that those methods work, and sometimes thats all that works... bob

[Papasown]

Hey Gerry, I just got back and saw your interest in the bungee cord with downrigger, and I see that Hunter2 provided the layout for Tony Maja's bungee system. I was talking to Tony Maja at the Somerset Show about 2 or 3 years ago, and he told me he was working with bungee cords and trying to find the best length to use. I thought that to be a great Idea, and set up bungee cords with release clips at different lengths for my own testing. I tried 2Ft. and 3Ft. ( I see Tony's system is with a 3Ft-3In. bungee), with fixed clip on one end to attach to the weight ball, and a release clip on the other end, same as mine.
Perhaps the bungee I use is lighter in weight/strength, or provides more bounce, I really don't know. It is a thin bungee.
After testing while under way on the surface, I feel the 2Ft for me provides nice swing of the spoon, and even a little forward and back bounce. The action is very nice, and gets slammed by bass and blues on the downrigger.
I'm gonna splash after I get a couple more 55degree days to finish up my get ready projects............can't wait. Catch 'em up, guys..........Papa

[Walleyed]

My name is Jim and I'm a troller.

I was taught to troll as young boy on the waters of Lake Michigan and they told me it was an ok thing to do. Trolling has caused me tremendous grief throughout my life. Not only have I lost thousands of dollars of lures and terminal tackle to rocks, sunken trees and other snags, I have been the constant target for the ridicule of other, real fisherman. They told me, use the bait boy, stop dragging line and straining water. Put away those trolling ways and you'll grow up to be a fine fisherman.

After many years and much sorrow, I have hit rock bottom (and lost another umbrella rig) and finally acknowledged the error of my ways. It has been 5 months since I last trolled and, God willing, I won't troll today. However, the temptation is great. I see the bunker spoons flashing at me, the Stretch 25's asking for new hooks, my line counter reels begging to be put out to sing the song of drag pulling clicker.

But no, I will shuck clams, throw poppers and chunk bunker...it's better this way.

[NoLimit]

Because it catches more fish?

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal

There would be many times you would go home with nothing if you don't troll. There are no ling or sea bass in Raritan Bay and no one is going to make tha run.

I realize that... However, I would still find something else to if the only way to catch is to troll... I have done it plenty, and for me personally, its not what I like to do, especially when you have to keep the boat moving, and the fish fights like a log with a bit of a wiggle, and skitters on its side to the moving boat.. Its ok in shallow water where you can stop the boat and enjoy the fight of the fish.. meh,, Its just not for me.. I DO however acknowledge that its certainly the most effective technique in many circumstances... bob