Why troll for bass?

[Capt Sal]

The spring is the ''BEST'' time of the year to troll stretch plugs! As i have have said in many previous posts that it is not my favorite way to catch bass but a very productive way. Live lining and popping will always be my favorite. The easiest trolling we do for stripers id with stretch lures. They can be trolled on spinning rods or conventionals and no wire is needed. My go to lure is the small purple Manns stretch 25. The size of the lip determines the depth not the size of the lure. I use 60lb. yellow braid with 4' of floro carbon 40lb. for leader. The yellow braid can be marked in black for the proper distance to let out. An assorment of stretches in different colors and sizes in reccommended. You can get stretches that go from 8'- 50'. Do not use heavy mono to troll these lures it will not work! I like to troll them at 3.5-4 knots. Even the best charter captains i9n our area will troll stretches. They will save the day. Some days it is the only way you can catch them.Like i said if they will take live bunker or i can chunk them i would never even consider trollig. When trolling have respect for the boats on anchor and the other trollers.Trolling thru someones slick is not cool!

[Andreas Toy]

Hey Sal hope your well, good info this past week we have over 100 stripers.
Interestingly enough, larger fish have whole bunkers in there stomach, yet we have chunked in same spots with no takers, water temp 48-52. In my experience 55 degree is magic time for chunking.

[jerseyhunter]

Used to love trolling bunker spoons back and forth between the range b, you'd get giants, umbrella rigs worked well too but would suk when you got a rig full of shorts or more than one beauty. But that's how it was done and I couldn't complain.(not my vessel) , I also disliked drifting 8 and 10 oz's of lead for fluke next to the Ambrose tower, and I mean next to. Big fluke but to me took out the sport. Same as trolling.

[Joey Dah Fish]

This is me staying silent. But good luck to all hoping everyone has a great season

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Joey Dah Fish

This is me staying silent. But good luck to all hoping everyone has a great season

Joey loves all types of fishing especially (Fluke,blackfish and tuna) but his favorite thing to do is trolling. He could care less if he catches any fish as it is so relaxing for him. He just loves it

[stugots]

Some days the fish only bite on the troll. You have to adapt to catch fish. To go out on any given day for any species without a plan B is why some guys catch and some guys don't. I always have the trolling rods while bass fishing and most days we use them at some point or another.

Same with Tuna. Bring the bait but always have the trolling gear as well.

I understand how some may think trolling is "cheating" but i will do whatever it takes to catch fish.

[SaltLife1980]

Trolling = Booo

[Capt John]

Originally Posted by Andreas Toy

Hey Sal hope your well, good info this past week we have over 100 stripers.
Interestingly enough, larger fish have whole bunkers in there stomach, yet we have chunked in same spots with no takers, water temp 48-52. In my experience 55 degree is magic time for chunking.

Great catch Capt. Love trolling Stretches if I have to troll which, at times, is very effective and the only way to put fish in the box. Prefer bait fishing myself, but when push comes to shove you have to do what produces fish for the clients.....good job. See you on the water soon.

[Capt John]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal

The spring is the ''BEST'' time of the year to troll stretch plugs! As i have have said in many previous posts that it is not my favorite way to catch bass but a very productive way. Live lining and popping will always be my favorite. The easiest trolling we do for stripers id with stretch lures. They can be trolled on spinning rods or conventionals and no wire is needed. My go to lure is the small purple Manns stretch 25. The size of the lip determines the depth not the size of the lure. I use 60lb. yellow braid with 4' of floro carbon 40lb. for leader. The yellow braid can be marked in black for the proper distance to let out. An assorment of stretches in different colors and sizes in reccommended. You can get stretches that go from 8'- 50'. Do not use heavy mono to troll these lures it will not work! I like to troll them at 3.5-4 knots. Even the best charter captains i9n our area will troll stretches. They will save the day. Some days it is the only way you can catch them.Like i said if they will take live bunker or i can chunk them i would never even consider trollig. When trolling have respect for the boats on anchor and the other trollers.Trolling thru someones slick is not cool!

Good info for the readers Sal especially when trolling around anchored boats....have some common sense and respect for others out there. Stretches and the Rapala X-Rap Magnum's in bunker color are killers....

[Papasown]

Thanks for that post, Sal. Like you, I am also most happy to throw poppers, or snag and drop, but early on trolling is the good option. I have long been avoiding dragging wire, as that isn't fun anymore. Most recently, I have purchased down riggers, and like the idea of using a stretch with the planer cut down, or bunker spoons. Better yet I like to troll small plugs, and crocks or hopkins using light tackle, which works well with the release clips on the rigger. One trick I did learn last year, was when trolling a large bunker spoon, use a 2Ft. piece of bungie cord connected to my release clip to get good movement in the spoon.
Catch 'em up, guys.........Papa