Finding success in long-line trolling takes dedication to the tactic in order to get a system that works for your boat and your setup. Once you’re comfortable with your system, these tips will help you become a better long liner.
1. Don’t stop – Unlike tight lining, log lining requires the trolling speed of the boat to adjust depth. Stopping the boat momentarily when the baits are over cover is an advanced tactic. Stopping over underwater cover too long will cause you to lose your religion when every line hangs up at once.
2. Work from the rod holder – Multiple hook ups, snags and crossed lines will often occur at once. Laying rods on the deck will get them broken or pulled out of the boat. Work each rod individually, then put it back in the holder. You can even set the hook, replace the rod and reel the fish in later on a large percentage of hook ups.
3. Avoid straight lines – Trolling in straight lines will catch super aggressive fish, but a better approach is to zig-zag. During a turn, inside baits will drop and outside baits will rise, often helping you to zero in on the depth the fish are holding.
4. Stay in your lane – Crappie will rarely cut angles to the side of the boat. When reeling a fish in, get it to the surface and bring it into the appropriate “lane” that prevents it from crossing lines to avoid tangles.
5. Look for bait, not fish – Crappie may suspend just below the surface and not show up on sonar when checking out an area to troll. The presence of bait, preferably in small pods or schools rather than thick layers, will indicate that predator fish are down there stirring things up.
6. Keep track of colors – Start with eight to 10 different colors and keep track of which rod sports which color by hanging a duplicate jig/skirt on that rod holder. As the day progresses, a color pattern will emerge allowing you to switch to the “color of the day.”
7. Use a net – Crappie frequently short strike when long-line trolling, especially when the fish are in a negative or neutral mood. The pressure of being “towed” behind the boat will also wallow out hook holes in the fish’s mouth. Slide a long handled net under the fish, especially bigger ones, before taking the pressure off at the surface to prevent the one that got away.
Editor’s note: This article is part of the Pushin’ & Pullin’ feature in the October issue of Mississippi Sportsman. Digital editions can be downloaded right to your computer or smartphone.
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