Optimum walleye trolling speed

This is where it's all going on. One can ask for advice or general information or simply chew the fat about fishing tackle, tips, and locations.
Post Reply
User avatar
Scum Frog
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2003 1:34 pm
Location: Carleton Place
Contact:

Optimum walleye trolling speed

Post by Scum Frog »

Hey Guys!

I am looking to get a feel for what you fella's think is the optimum walleye trolling speed?

1 km, 1.5, 2km/hr?

Generally speaking of course as everday walleye will tell you they want something, but when you hit the water, what speed do you generally start at and keep at depending if you are catching fish.

THX!
User avatar
big-o
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 3624
Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2003 9:15 am
Location: Kenmore , Ontario

Post by big-o »

Hey RRC


Topwater and I found that 1.2 to 1.5 seems to work for us.....and that was using the speed indicator on the fish finder, not gps speed!When I sold my last boat and bought the one i have now , it had no slow speed indicator,our walleye production dropped :? We realy were only guessing our speed! Bought the same fish finder as i had on my old boat....just for the speed indicator :D Will let you know if our production returns to it's old form after next weekend :lol:



BIG-O(Phil)<*!!!!><
User avatar
Scum Frog
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2003 1:34 pm
Location: Carleton Place
Contact:

Post by Scum Frog »

The fish finder we have has no speed so we are relying on the GPS. The GPS does not register speed under 2.0 km.

Based on that I think we are running at about 1.8 - 2.0 km/hr.

Is this too fast?

Any suggestions on slowing down.

We have a Merc 30hp 4 stroke.

I was thinking of either trolling bags or a trolling plate.
User avatar
jazman
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 936
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 6:34 pm
Location: Orleans, Ontario
Contact:

slowing you down

Post by jazman »

Try the fish-hawk Patented rubbermaid laundry bin method for trolling socks....

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showph ... hoto=19037
User avatar
Scum Frog
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2003 1:34 pm
Location: Carleton Place
Contact:

Post by Scum Frog »

Now that is inovation at it best!

Backtrolling is another option.
User avatar
Tomcat
Bronze Participant
Bronze Participant
Posts: 430
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2003 10:28 am
Location: Orleans, Ontario

Optimum walleye trrolling speed

Post by Tomcat »

RRC:

The one word answer is "SLOW".

I usually start out trolling bottom bouncers and worm harnesses in the 0.6 to 1 mph (1 to 1.6 kmph). If I'm not having success, I'll change blade colours, lead lengths and then speed. You might benefit from a search in the general discussion section of walleyecentral.com for "GPS speed". I did and there were 5 pages of threads on the topic, some more germane than others. I have referenced one such thread below for your information:
http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboar ... ype=search

There's some discussion there about GPS units with the capability of measuring speeds (speed over ground) as low as 0.5 mph as well as a discussion of the inaccuracies of paddle wheel speed indicators on fish finders.
User avatar
eye-tracker
Gold Participant
Gold Participant
Posts: 1998
Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:23 am
Location: Perth, Ontario
Contact:

Post by eye-tracker »

Here is my list for trolling speeds...

0.9 - 1.3 mph Spinner rig's and Cold water (below 50 degrees F)
1.9 - 2.5 mph Regular Crank Bait Trolling speed
2.5 - 3.5 mph Speed troll for reaction strike and trolling spoons
This is a great speed for Aug eyes.

...also you have to know what lures work best at what speeds. Most lures have a "sweet spot" trolling speed.

Good Luck...
Last edited by eye-tracker on Tue May 04, 2004 6:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sheldon Hatch
Just a guy that likes to fish walleye
User avatar
Xenos
Bronze Participant
Bronze Participant
Posts: 464
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 8:34 am
Location: Ottawa, ON
Contact:

Post by Xenos »

I found my lowrance jumps around too much under 3mph, I now run a 0-5mph speedometer. and it works great.

http://www.cabelas.com and search for item # IE-010202
User avatar
Hoser
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 516
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 7:34 am
Location: Almonte

Post by Hoser »

There is a pretty good article on this topic in the May issue of Outdoor Canada.
User avatar
Scum Frog
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2003 1:34 pm
Location: Carleton Place
Contact:

Post by Scum Frog »

Thanks for posting your speeds.
User avatar
Carl
Gold Participant
Gold Participant
Posts: 1027
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 2:45 pm
Location: Embrun

Post by Carl »

I'm going to throw another question out there...

Can you pick a speed-o-meter only to figure out trolling speeds or should I invest in new electronics?

Carlco
User avatar
bts
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 558
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2003 11:29 am
Location: lanark

Post by bts »

I have an Eagle 320 and was thinking of buying the speed sensor for it. Does anyone have one of these and are they any good. I guess they run about $100.00.
User avatar
Wall-I-Guy
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 4930
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:06 am
Location: Kanata,Ontario

Post by Wall-I-Guy »

The colder it gets, the slower I get....well, my trolling :!: :roll:

Come to think of it, me too :!: :lol:
User avatar
M.T. Livewell
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 2891
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2003 3:05 pm
Location: Rockland

Post by M.T. Livewell »

Ultimate trolling speed is 45mph to hole, then cast. :lol:

M.T. Livewell
User avatar
Markus
Diamond Participant
Diamond Participant
Posts: 7362
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:05 am
Location: Nova Scotia/St Catharines

Post by Markus »

MT, I'll make a troller out of you by the end of this season.

Casting is fun, but learning a new tecnique can be a lot of fun too. I think you'll have a few instructors at Muskrat, so be ready to enjoy trolling 101.
Post Reply