Trolling

Question
1. How can you tell how much line is out behind the boat if you do not have a line counter?

2. How can you tell depth of your bait?

Answer
Hi Tom, thanks for asking.

You can preset a desired distance; measure the distance and mark it with tape/marker/rubberband/floss and this is something you can do when you already know the distance you want to set your lines at. and you can do this before you hit the water.


you can just count...use this example as a guide.

on a boat moving at trolling speed, say 5 knots. 5 knots is equal to 2.5 meters/second. so, if you want to let out about 20 meters of line, at 5 knots, 8 seconds worth of line out is = 20 meters or 66 feet.

as for the depth of your bait/lure. it depends on quite a few things.

1. your lure, obviously, if its designed to work on the surface, its going to stay there.

2. the diameter of your line, thinner line = deeper dive (because it creates less "drag belly" while moving through the water.

3.the distance of the bait or lure from he boat

4. weight and shape of your lure. even if a lure is heavy, if its not designed to dive, it will skip.

5. speed of the boat, the faster you go, the deeper it goes.

hope this helps you. use it as a guide and im sure you would discover a lot when you understand these things that affect your trolling.