Can You Troll With A Spinning Reel? (Detailed Guide)

Trolling is a fishing technique that involves dragging baited lures behind a moving boat to attract fish. Due to its excellent method of attracting and catching fish is regarded as one of the most popular fishing techniques. You get to explore the water and take in the beauty instead of sitting on a still boat for hours waiting for a fish to bite. You also get to take a full cooler of fish home with you!

Trolling for fish necessitates its unique gear, but what if you only have ordinary spinning reels? In this article, we will mention the way to troll with a spinning reel.

Can You Troll With A Spinning Reel? (Trolling’s Benefits)

Trolling’s primary goal is to deceive fish into thinking your bait is moving prey. As a result, the speed at which you move your boat is determined by the nature, habitat, and size of the fish you’re looking for. But we can’t just chuck it in the sea and be done with it! After all, trolling is more than just dragging lines across water. To consistently catch fish while searching, you’ll need to choose the ideal time of day, depth, and fishing gear, just like you would when pursuing any prey. It may appear difficult, but it is much simpler than you believe.

Before we go any further, here are some of the benefits of trolling:

It allows you to find fish by quickly covering a large area.
Provides accurate depth and speed control.
Ideal for people who are hesitant to use traditional cast-and-retrieve methods.
When casting lures, it improves accuracy.

Choosing The Proper Spinning Reel

Before you take your spinning wheel out for a spin, be sure it has a few functions. Here are a few examples:

Can hold at least 400 yards of braided line with a 50-pound test
Without difficulty, able can apply 20 pounds of drag
Even with heavy fish, it has a smooth retrieval.
It’s made of high-quality stainless steel pieces that won’t rust even after a few offshore trolling expeditions.
To reduce friction during a run, the roller bearing must be well-oiled.
Strong enough to pull struggling fish through fast-moving water

The Stella Saltwater of the Shimano brand and the Saltist Spinning Reel of the Daiwa brand are two examples of such spinning reels. However, keep in mind that spinning reels aren’t as forceful as trolling reels. Even with these conditions, you may discover that using your spinning reel is more complex than using the alternative. This is because spinning reels cannot be set to exact increments.

If you do, there’s a reasonable probability the line may break due to the catch’s quick strain. To avoid this, set your spinning reel to half-power and increase it to full fighting power once you’ve caught a fish. I know how tough it is to adjust the rotation when fighting fish, especially if the conditions are particularly challenging. As a result, you may need to practice before mastering the art of catching fish while trolling with a spinning wheel.

Furthermore, unlike trolling reels, spinning reels do not have “lugs” or metal rings that allow you to strap them into a harness. As a result, you’ll have to work a little more to get the fish you caught to your boat. While hauling your fish in, you’ll also have to be concerned about your reel becoming tangled or twisted. It’s an inconvenient situation that can be avoided if you use the proper rotation for the job. So if you hook up with a big sailfish, tuna, or marlin, you’ll wish you had a reel that’s a little more solid and easier to operate.

Related post: How to Cast Farther with a Spinning Reel

Choosing The Correct Rod

While you can use any reel for trolling, the length and strength of your rod are not negotiable. Your rod should be short and rigid because it’s easier to hold and control when fishing. When trolling a lure, the tension between the rod and the line is almost constant. As a result, a lengthy, whippy rod will not allow you to feel the vibrations caused by a hooked fish right away.

A short, firm rod will jerk away from it much faster if you come across a snag, such as a stump or a log. Instead of twisting and tangling, the rod will snap into position. Unlike lengthy fishing rods, there’s little to no possibility of cracking if you use a robust rod to resist the pressure of rushing water. Keep in mind that the longer the rod, the wider the bend. We also don’t want our trolling rods to bend.

Finally, this rod style will allow you to quickly pull in a fish from its school without spooking the rest of the group. As a result, you’ll be able to catch more fish from the same school.

Here are some pointers to consider when selecting the proper rod:

Use a rod that isn’t more than 9 feet long.
Look for a relatively sturdy rod that can handle the shock of a large fish escaping.
Choose rods with roller guides to catch more extensive freshwater and saltwater fish.

Troll With A Spinning Reel Tips To Help You Catch More Fish

Trolling may appear simple but requires talent, coordination, and experience. Aside from getting the correct gear, here are some short pointers to remember.

Plan Ahead

It’s critical to have a strategy in place before you start trolling. It’s best to study a map and/or get an aerial photograph of the area you will troll before deciding on a route to follow.

Electronic fishing devices should be used.

When trolling, a good fish finder like the Garmin ECHOMAP is the finest weapon aside from your eyes.

Fish finders, as the name implies, allow you to track and locate schools of fish beneath the water’s surface. This is extremely helpful in determining which depths have the most fish, enhancing your chances of returning home with a huge catch.

Continue Moving

Don’t stop your boat once you’ve hooked a fish! Instead, please put it in neutral. Keep your boat moving ahead and fight the fish you’ve captured.

Baby Steps

This piece of advice is aimed squarely at people who are considering trolling for the first time. Don’t compare yourself to skilled tuna fishermen who catch over five in under an hour, especially if you’re starting. We recommend starting with three lines on each side and one at the back of your boat. You can build a more intricate arrangement if you’re happy with the lines you’ve cast. Three lines are undoubtedly preferable to ten which are constantly tangled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Is it possible to Troll with a Spinning Reel?” the response is a resounding yes! However, here are a few things to consider before you start trolling. You can use a spinning reel to search if the reel and rod meet certain specifications, such as 50lb line weight support and at least 20 lbs of drag, among other things. Go for it if you have the necessary skills and a reel that can withstand the catch! After all, how you approach the sport determines your success. The higher your level of expertise, the more likely you are to succeed.