trollin Rapalas

[Bass Assasin]

I was just wondering if anyone has had any luck trolling Rapalas off the drop-offs. My lake place is just south of Itasca and usualy is good for trollin Raps.

Jason

[lindy rig]

At least half of my summer walleye fishing is done with trolling cranks. #5 and #7 shad raps are the favorite..

[BDR]

One of my favorite for hot summer walleyes is to troll raps on 3 ways in the deeper water breaks. I like to use deep divers on 3 way to have the crank slam into the bottom once in a while. Have managed some very good fish this way, also a few trophy Pike and Muskie as a bonus.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

JR's Tackle
Catch-N Tackle and Bio Bait

[lindy rig]

Hey BDR-

How long of a leader do you use on the 3 way? bell sinker?

[FishFreak757]

I have had a lot of luck on Carl's lake trolling Rapalas. I have been trolling # 5 and 6 firetigger patterns in 10-15 feet of water a long the weedlines. We have caught some real nice fish doing that and hoope to catch more.

Happy Fishin

[FishFreak757]

I have had a lot of luck on Carl's lake trolling Rapalas. I have been trolling # 5 and 6 firetigger patterns in 10-15 feet of water a long the weedlines. We have caught some real nice fish doing that and hoope to catch more.

Happy Fishin

[gundy89]

I have never got into this but wanted to try a it this summer. Do you have to be on the bottom or just somewhat close? What type of structure is best? Weedlines, breaks, points, flats? The only time Ive ever caught'em was trolling on midday with bluebird skies. I was trying to catch some pike in 12-15ft off of a weedline. Ended up with four in an hour and half. It was a blast but pure luck. Any other tips would be appreciated!

[BDR]

Lindy- I like to set my three way two ways.

First is a typical 3-way with a dropper to wieght(bell or regular bottom bouncer) 18" leader to wieght. Line to Crank about 4' leader.

Second is really not a 3-way. I use a bobber stop as a sinker stop and then I can adjust the lenght around to find whats workin. For wieght I like the Bell or barrell.

I typically figure out the break I want to cover a section in say 10 minutes per pass. I will start as close to the weeds as possible the move down edge on each pass till I get some action. If there is a secondary shelf I will pass on each edge and down the center before moving to the main basin. The main basin is usually not productive untill the real hot summer.

I like to let out just enough ;ine to feel the crank hit bottom once in a while and not my wieght. I lift and drop the wieght just to make sure I am close then back up a foot or so.

This is not a do all for all lakes but not a bad starting approach to any.

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I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

JR's Tackle
Catch-N Tackle and Bio Bait

[Finlander]

Get one of those line counters that you can attatch to your rod so you can put out the correct amount of line every time you let the lure out behind the boat.
Being consistant will help put fish in the boat. And putting out the exact amount of line is critical as to how deep your lure will run and keep it in the strike zone!
Good Luck!

[lindy rig]

Thanks BDR, I'll have to try that..

[Wadinator]

Finlander... Where can a guy pick up one of those line counters you speak of, and how much are they?

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Wade Huisman

[MedicineMan]

Fleet Farm has the Rapala Line Counter on sale for 9.99. The Rapala Line Counter also comes with a book showing a dive chart for all Rapala lures. I bought one about a month a go and I love the thing!

[This message has been edited by MedicineMan (edited 06-10-2004).]

[Borch]

I personally don't care for the line counters unless they are integrated into the reel. Just too bulky and just another thing to snag the line on in use and in the rod locker. Instead I'll tie a bobber stop at 100' and 150'. Let's me know how much line I have out. But have also counted rod sweeps or count spool widths on my baitcaster.

Borch

[walleyefanatic]

I wouldn't purchase a line counter that's seperate from the reel if you troll with any type of superbraid. The lines are too hard which makes the counters inaccurate. If you pull 50 feet of a superbraid through one of line counters that's not a part of the reel you'll get a different number each time. I did it a half dozen times and the counter registered everywhere from 25 feet to 40 feet.

[big fishes]

most of the time I use shad raps

[Rost]

I agree with Fanatic and Borch- A few years ago, I messed with linecounters that were attached to the rod. They are very inaccurate, especially with Fireline or Power Pro.

Nowdays you can get a reliable linecounter real/combo for relatively cheap. For example: A Daiwa Accudepth/Depthmaster combo for $75. Or Cabela's Depthmaster Line counter combo for $60.

Once you start using a linecounter, you'll wonder how you ever trolled without one. No more guessing games.