Trolling and Bass?

[TheMissBud]

I've been flat out skunked for trout lately at my local lake. So not taking the days fishing trip seriously, I decide to switch things up a bit. Instead of throwing on my normal trout lure I tied on a crank bait. Low and behold I was knocking the smalllies dead. I had 7 fish, the largest about 2lbs, within the first 30 minutes trolling close to the docks! What a blast! My question is; Is this an effective way to catch bass on a regular basis? Has anyone else had success with this technique? I'm assuming casting/pitching/flipping may land the bigger fish but I was able to cover alot of water trolling and seemed to have found a "hot spot" while doing so.

[Bodofish]

It's the only way I've caught them!....... well besides bow and arrow and 38sp. I normally prefer to sip a cup of joe or a cool one while dragging some sort of offering to the fish but then I'm not a bass guy.
Just for the record guys, I can't see why anyone would do anything but C&R with a bass. People say trout from lakes taste muddy........ bass take that to a whole new level..... I ate a couple as a kid and both times yuck!!!! Those were buckets, I hear the smallies are better but you guy's can have 'em.

[Rich McVey]

Just for the record guys, I can't see why anyone would do anything but C&R with a bass. People say trout from lakes taste muddy........ bass take that to a whole new level..... I ate a couple as a kid and both times yuck!!!! Those were buckets, I hear the smallies are better but you guy's can have 'em.

Agreed. I prefer saltwater fish any day, if its gonna end up on the table.

[G-Man]

Trolling for bass can be very effective and has become a bit more popular lately. In waters that contain walleye it is not uncommon to pick up smallies while trolling. I catch them on occasion while fishing for cutts in Lake Washington. Conversely folks dropshotting for bass catch cutts form time to time, so there is a lesson here somewhere. I personally haven only caught a few largemouth while trolling but only while fishing from my inflatable pontoon boat. Now I may be wrong, someone is sure to correct me if I am, trolling is not permitted by contestants fishing during a bass tournament. However, the technique is used to locate fish and holding areas on days prior to the tournament, I've seen you guys out there so don't deny it. I find it odd that they don't ever show folks doing this on the bass shows, I guess it's kind of like riding a moped...

[TravisRush]

Yep it's not allowed in tournaments

[kevinb]

Yep it's not allowed in tournaments

Hey Travis,just curious,do you know why? or does anyone else know?

[TheMissBud]

Yep it's not allowed in tournaments

Beings that its not allowed in tournaments, do other fisherman or "die-hard bass fisherman" look at it as an unethical way to fish for bass?

I'll tell you that I learned a lot trolling for the little guys, and had an absolute blast doing so. This next time out at the lake I'm gonna stop at the "hole" I found while trolling I try throwing some plastics at them :thumleft:

[G-Man]

Maybe it's looked at like "flossing" is in river settings. All I know is that it works for most any species and is legal in our State. If it helps you catch fish and learn the lay of the lake why would you not do it? Rules are made up for many different reasons and not all of them make sense. MissBud, you did exactly what the pros do. Find a honey hole trolling and then hit it up on game day throwing gear. :thumleft:

[ckim85]

i would imagine people don't do it because the reason people enjoy bass fishing is because of all the great techniques that require personal polishing in skills. What fun would bass fishing be if you just sat on a boat and trolled around?

[TheMissBud]

Maybe it's looked at like "flossing" is in river settings. All I know is that it works for most any species and is legal in our State. If it helps you catch fish and learn the lay of the lake why would you not do it? Rules are made up for many different reasons and not all of them make sense. MissBud, you did exactly what the pros do. Find a honey hole trolling and then hit it up on game day throwing gear. :thumleft:

Thanks Gman. I guess if the pros do it then I'm on the right track:thumleft:

I know she's not a lunker but not too bad for my first "trolling bass"

[TravisRush]

I'm not too sure why but I'm guessing because it takes away from the skills involved in using the techniques?

[Bass Woody]

i have landed a few trolling from one area to another. trolling is the same thing as reeling in your lure, just constant. if fast paced spinners of the edge of the dock is what they want give it to them! sure trolling is boring and nothing beats sitting next to a area of choice and finding them. fishin is fishin. do it the way you like,as long as legal.

[medic1]

I catch bass trolling all the time when targeting other species, specifically walleye. Depending on where you are fishing try pulling a worm harness. You have a chance to hook up with a bass, crappie, perch or walleye. In fact we have used it as a sign to switch from walleye to bass when the fishing gets slow. I have even caught a hog smallmouth on a flat fish when back trolling the hanford reach for salmon.

[Bigbass Dez]

IM TOO EMOTIONAL TO REPLY TO THIS THREAD ! so instead i will sit down this wkend and put more thought into my response . Tuesday morning !! stay tuned in !

[loucipher]

IM TOO EMOTIONAL TO REPLY TO THIS THREAD ! so instead i will sit down this wkend and put more thought into my response . Tuesday morning !! stay tuned in !

cant wait to sit and read tuesday morning. bigbass dez is a veteran on this board, and is also tourney proven.

[Mike Carey]

Dez and I had this conversation our last fishing trip. I know he'll provide a well thought out answer so I won't steal his thunder, other to say there is a big difference between the way bass tournement anglers and recreational anglers approach catching fish.

[flippinfool]

Dez and I had this conversation our last fishing trip. I know he'll provide a well thought out answer so I won't steal his thunder, other to say there is a big difference between the way bass tournement anglers and recreational anglers approach catching fish.

TROLLIN FOR BASS WHATDA F@$%! GOOD LORD!#-o :colors: :colors: :colors: :colors: :colors:

[bcalvert]

Dez and I had this conversation our last fishing trip. I know he'll provide a well thought out answer so I won't steal his thunder, other to say there is a big difference between the way bass tournement anglers and recreational anglers approach catching fish.

TROLLIN FOR BASS WHATDA F@$%! GOOD LORD!#-o :colors: :colors: :colors: :colors: :colors:

Thats what I thought, what fun is that! Just as fun as standing on the bank waiting for a salmon. I will be out casting and working for the bass I catch this weekend - no judgement - to each thier own - have fun in what ever you legaly choose to do.

[flippinfool]

[quote="TheMissBud"]I've been flat out skunked for trout lately at my local lake. So not taking the days fishing trip seriously, I decide to switch things up a bit. Instead of throwing on my normal trout lure I tied on a crank bait. Low and behold I was knocking the smalllies dead. I had 7 fish, the largest about 2lbs, within the first 30 minutes trolling close to the docks! What a blast! My question is]lets stop for a second and turn the kicker off. That lucky lure isnt gonna produce everytime sometimes you gotta look at the conditions weather,time,watertemps and depths and go into that bait box and put a pattern together sometimes its an easy process other times it becomes quite challenging . paying close attention to where and when and at what speed and processsing it all.its very gratifying to put it together and whack em. if ya wanna troll and thats making it happen for you and your happy right on but it can be more exciting workin the process going out of your comfort zone . i mean i hate draggin for smallies but sometimes its all that will pay the entry fee and put fish in the livewell. :compress:

[Amx]

The only thing I troll for is WOMEN.