Trolling Speed: Getting it Right

After finding the right water temperature for the fish you are after, all trollers need to know how subsurface currents are affecting their lures set well below the surface. Wind and bottom structure work together to create currents on large bodies of water. Also anytime that warm water and cold water come together it makes current. Knowing what the currents are doing at depth is nearly impossible without a speed probe like the Fish Hawk X4. Many newcomers to trolling the Great Lakes don't realize that subsurface currents might be pushing against or behind their lures. For example, Lake Ontario trollers commonly deal with currents that may exceed three miles per hour. When they come against a lure, currents will cause that lure to wobble too fast or "burn out." When a current is following a lure, it can cause it to just dangle and not wobble much at all, leaving it dead in the water!

Using its paddle wheel down at the downrigger ball, the X4 Probe relays important speed information to the angler. When trolling against a subsurface current, the angler must slow his boat way down to keep the lure working at optimal speed; when trolling with a current, the angler must speed up to get the lures down there to act properly.

Just like each species of fish has a preferred water temperature, each style of lure has an optimal trolling speed. Trolling spoons like Dreamweavers, Silver Streaks, and Michigan Stingers often work over a wide range of trolling speeds. Flashers (rotators) like the Spin Doctor, teamed up with trolling flies can work over a wide range of speeds. Metal dodgers and plastic paddles with flies or meat-head rigs require slower trolling speeds. Plugs and crankbaits are very speed sensitive and will vary widely by make and model.

Trolling Speeds by Lure Type:

• Trolling Spoons 1.8 – 3.0 mph
• Flashers with flies 1.5 – 3.0 mph
• Paddles with meat-head rigs 1.5 – 2.0 mph
• Plugs 1.6 – 3.5 mph

Smart trollers know that repeatability is a key to catching fish consistently. Experiment with different speeds and once you catch a fish, note your subsurface (probe) speed and using the Fish Hawk X4, stay at that speed. So what's the best trolling speed? The fish will tell you when you get it right!