Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

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troutcrazy
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Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 5:21 pm
Species: crappie, trout, salmon, perch

Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by troutcrazy »

I try to vary my speed, but I end up settling in around 2 - 2.8 mph, as that seems to be where I'm catching lakers. Should I be going faster for salmon?
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C-Hawk
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by C-Hawk »

You might want to pick it up a little if you are only catching lakers. Are you fishing from a canoe? You may want to try in-line planer boards. If you are fishing shallow, wich I believe you do, you may be spooking salmon that are off the bottom, where you may not be spooking Lakers. The boards will get your bait away from the commotion.
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fishy1
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by fishy1 »

C-Hawk wrote:You might want to pick it up a little if you are only catching lakers. Are you fishing from a canoe? You may want to try in-line planer boards. If you are fishing shallow, wich I believe you do, you may be spooking salmon that are off the bottom, where you may not be spooking Lakers. The boards will get your bait away from the commotion.
x2
grandpa2h
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Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:11 am
Species: salmon
Location: POESTENKILL,NY

Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by grandpa2h »

I'VE FOUND THAT 3.3 MPH TOP WATER SPEED WORKED BEST FOR ME,BUT DUE TO UNDERWATER CURRENTS THE SPEED DOWN DEEP MAY NOT BE THE SAME.
grandpa2h
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by grandpa2h »

grandpa2h wrote:I'VE FOUND THAT 3.3 MPH TOP WATER SPEED WORKED BEST FOR ME,BUT DUE TO UNDERWATER CURRENTS THE SPEED DOWN DEEP MAY NOT BE THE SAME.
troutcrazy
Posts: 388
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 5:21 pm
Species: crappie, trout, salmon, perch

Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by troutcrazy »

C-Hawk wrote:You might want to pick it up a little if you are only catching lakers. Are you fishing from a canoe? You may want to try in-line planer boards. If you are fishing shallow, wich I believe you do, you may be spooking salmon that are off the bottom, where you may not be spooking Lakers. The boards will get your bait away from the commotion.
Thanks! I've been resisting the planer boards, trying to keep my rig simple, but at this point I'm ready to try anything!

Yes that's me in the little green canoe, and I've been fishing pretty shallow. I am planning to go deeper next time, though. Reading the reports, I think I can get down deep enough without too much trouble.
troutcrazy
Posts: 388
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 5:21 pm
Species: crappie, trout, salmon, perch

Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by troutcrazy »

grandpa2h wrote:I'VE FOUND THAT 3.3 MPH TOP WATER SPEED WORKED BEST FOR ME,BUT DUE TO UNDERWATER CURRENTS THE SPEED DOWN DEEP MAY NOT BE THE SAME.
Thanks! I'll troll faster next time. I'm in a canoe with a trolling motor, and my top speed is only about 3.8 mph (on a calm day).
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homewrecker
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by homewrecker »

you should also try a slide diver set up. if you need a demonstration come to the Winter workshop.
grandpa2h
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:11 am
Species: salmon
Location: POESTENKILL,NY

Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by grandpa2h »

i have slide divers on 30lb. monel with 25lb of fluoro.on end.works good.
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Reelax
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by Reelax »

May want to try braid for divers, the line has no stretch so you get good releases... I use 50lb braid for slide divers and it works great... Just use a flourocarbon leader and your all set.

I have had a diver trip on a 13" smelt when set right with braid.
Matt B
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fishingmachine
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by fishingmachine »

go faster
grandpa2h
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by grandpa2h »

I have best results at 3.3 mph
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Reelax
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by Reelax »

grandpa2h wrote:I have best results at 3.3 mph

That is almost 1 mph higher than I see my best results at.

Is your speed gps or paddle wheel?
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grandpa2h
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by grandpa2h »

PADDLE WHEEL.I MIGHT ADD ,MY BEST SPOON WAS LARGE MONKEY PUKE.THEY ALL THOUGHT I WAS LYING BUT WHILE I COUGHT VERY FEW LAKERS I COUGHT MANY MANY SALMON EVEN WHEN OTHERS WHERE NOT.TRY IT YOU WILL BE SUPPRISED (MY SPELLING STINKS)
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Crayfish
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Re: Any tips on trolling speed for salmon?

Post by Crayfish »

TC - Perchbait and I usually run around 2.4mph or so (GPS speed) ... sometimes a little slower in cold water. We use inline planer boards and they work great. I have a "Walleye Board" with no flag that works fine, but I'm really liking a cheapy I got at Dick's that came with a tattle flag. It runs great and the flag is a big help in detecting bites.

Good luck!
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