Trolling |
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Why
Troll? |
Trolling
is a method of boat fishing which is popular on
some Scottish lochs. Baits, flies and lures are
trailed behind a moving boat. Thus it is the action
of the boat which keeps the lures moving and interesting
to fish. It is a method which covers a lot of
water. |
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Its
not every body's cup of tea. Much of the work
is done by the boatman. It is a very relaxed way
to fish and a nice way to spend a day with friends.
It is effective and if you are searching for that
monster its a good way as there are few snags
and obstructions. Its also a good way to fish
for the less able. |
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The
Boat |
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Rod
Holders |
Be
very careful with the choice of boat used. Lochs
can be dangerous. The boat must be sea
worthy. It must be of a size which suits the venue.
For large lochs such as Loch
Tay or Ness they should be at least 16 feet
long. A cuddy or cabin is advisable not only for
comfort, but also to protect you from waves. A
double hull is recommended if there are obstructions
about. Avoid boats with a high side as they will
get blown about too much. Orkney and Hardy (Bristol)
boats have served me well. |
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You
will need rod holders - one for each rod in use.
Perhaps the best are mad out of mild steel welded
to a very large G-clamp. Fix these so that that
are easy to reach, but not so that they obstruct
movement in the boat.
Rods should be angled upwards
slightly so that they do not dip into the water
in a swell. If correctly positioned there should
be no need to tie or fix rods to rod holders. |
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Engines |
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Local
Rules |
Trolling
is done a slow speed so most engines tend to
be
in the 5-10hp depending on the size of the boat.
A four stoke is much quieter and uses less fuel.
Very large engines rarely work efficiently. If
you only have one, ensure it is reliable! |
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Not
all lochs allow trolling, so check on the local
rules. Many lochs require that a "right" number
is displayed.
The law in Scotland allows an
angler to fish with a single rod and line. During
the Second World War this rule was relaxed on
Loch Tay to allow locals to fish for food. Today
there is a maximum of 3 rods per boat on the loch
which is strictly enforced. |
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Launching |
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If you are launching your own boat make sure you
have the landowners permission. |
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Safety |
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Navigation |
The
boat should be equipped with life jackets, bailer,
spare spark plugs and tool kit, flares and if
you have one take a mobile phone. You
will be offered a life jacket, you are strongly
advised to wear it. Water in Scotland is COLD.
The shock of falling in can stop you from breathing
for a few vital moments.
Let someone ashore know where
you are going and at what time you expect to get
back.
Do not overload a boat. |
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Most
lochs apply the international rules for the sea.
That is boats should pass port side to port side..
that is left to left for us landlubbers!
Keep well clear of other boats
as line can be long. A 100 yard distance is best.
Some lochs also require that
a trolling boat displays a trolling marker (an
orange ball) on the deck, but rods are just as
easy to see. Give way to non-motorized boats. |
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Ghillies
and Guides |
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Etiquette |
If
you are not familiar with the water take a ghillie
or guide for your first explorations and
pick his brains. |
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It
is bad form to cut across drift of a boat which
is loch style fishing. It is equally bad form
to surround a boat that you have just seen catch
a fish! |
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Weather |
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Tackle |
The
weather can change fast in the highlands. If
you
are a novice do not attempt to go out in foul
weather or if it is forecasted. Unfortunately
some of the best fishing is to be had when there
is a good wave. |
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Most
salmon fishing tackle can be used, but my advice
is think big! Reels should contain at least 200
yards of line and perhaps more. Take a pair of
pliers. |
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Paul's Set Up on Loch Tay
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Boat |
This is now my 30th
year trolling on Loch Tay. My own boat is a Hardy
17 foot fishing boat with a Yamaha 9.9 four
stroke.
It is slightly broader in the beam than most
boats on the Loch and the extra length allows
me to
handle
just about any weather. |
Rods & Reels |
I fish with three rods. On each
side is a long (16') fly rod. This gives you
great coverage.. some 15 feet to either side
of the boat.
Each fly rod has a large fly reel. These are
equipped with floating fly lines (I have found
white or light
blue to be the best colours) and up to 300 yards
of backing. You may think this excessive, but
I
can assure you it is not. The fish is in still
water so does not have to fight a current and
can easily
strip off several hundred yards of line by the
time you have the boat and other rods under
control.
On one famous occasion a fish took all 300 yards
while a friend and I argued who was going to
take
responsibility (sort out who will take which
rod in advance!).
I like to use a fly line rather
than all through mono for several reasons. A
fly line tends to follow the boat in an arc,
while a
mono line cuts through the water and follows
in a straight line. I believe that salmonids
prefer
baits moving in a curve rather than straight
lines. Secondly a fly line is easier to see,
and if you
do have to stop the floating fly line gives you
time to maneuver. You can also strip in by hand
a lot faster than you can reel, especially when
there is a fish on another rod, or you just
want
to change a lure.
The leader is made up from 25lb
test mono and should be about 9 or 10 feet in length.
Almost the full fly line is let out so these baits
run about 35-40 yards behind you.
The poker rod (at the back) is a
heavy spinning rod and multiplier reel equipped
with a 300 yards of straight 25lb mono. This
rod is tooled
up with a SINKING lure. This line should be kept
short. It should run just at the end of the
prop
wash so probably no more than 10 yards back.
You would be surprised at how many salmon will
follow
a boat and get caught on the poker. Having poker
lure short offers another advantage - you can
turn
the boat on a sixpence without fear of the lines
becoming tangled!
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Baits and Lures |
Rapalas - four and three
quarter inch or 5 inch in heavy water.
Black and gold
Blue and silver
Orange.
Toby
Anything you like over 4 inches
Silver and blue works well at dusk
Kynoch Killer and Tay Lures
Great for the poker rod as long
as you keep the speed down. Use
Revolving baits (Mepps, spoons)
Avoid them unless you have anti
kink swivels, you get too much line twist when trolling. |
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Rapalas
Rapala recommend that you attach
the line direct to the lure. If you are trolling
forget this advice. Always put a swivel and
split
ring on the lure, otherwise you will spend
endless days untangling twisted line. The
old rapalas were made from balsa wood and these
are still the best (if you can find them). All
the hooks were connected by wire and if a big fish
chewed the lure to bits it would still hang on.
New ones are made of plastic. This is a major disadvantage
as it gives the fish leverage and can let them
shake the lure free
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Hooks & Lure Action
Check your hooks. Some lures come
with hooks which would not stop a wet paper
bag. Upgrade them. The initial hit from a salmon
on a
trolling rig is ferocious (the boat is also
moving)
and will bend a fly rod double. The best
rig for rapalas I have found is to change front
and middle hooks to singles and the tail to a
round bend (French
pattern)..
When you change the hooks you must check that
the bait swims properly. You should be fishing
as slowly
a possible. 4mph is ideal . Your baits should
"wiggle" at this speed. In order to test that baits
are working properly set you boat to trolling
speed and put out lures on a short length so
you can watch them. If they do not "wiggle"
then the setting is wrong. To correct this on
a lure like a Rapala (especially if hooks have
been changed) take lighter and carefully warm
and bend the fore plane (usually back) till it
swims properly.
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Automatic hooking |
Some ghillies use
a lead weight on the line to hook the fish and it
works. As soon as the fish hits .. the lead jumps
off into the air and the line is then free. The
only time I do not use this system is at the beginning
of the season when the fishes mouths tend to be
soft and no lead is required. |
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Playing the fish |
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When a salmon hits (you will
know!) point the boat off shore. That way you
have sea room and you keep the fish away from
the shore and snags. I have seen salmon crash
onto a beach to try to remove a hook.
If there is more than one of you in the boat get
hold of the rod with the fish on first, then get
someone else to reel in the other rods. If you
are on your own you can get at least some line/s
in while you turn the boat out and then pick up
the rod with the fish on.
Try to get the boat upwind of the fish. There
is nothing worse than having a strong wind blow
you away from your trophy.
Play the fish keeping a tight line at all times.
Try to avoid getting the boat too close to the
fish until it is played out.
If the fish is still diving/jumping/running move
off slowly and continue to play it out.
Use a large knotless net to boat the fish. My
net is a standing joke in the village at 72" ...
but you need a big net for boat work. Unless you
are in a flat calm its best to bring the fish
on board to deal with it. Have your pliers handy
for removing hooks. If its to go back try to remove
hooks as quickly as possible.
See also:
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