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Trolling at higher speeds (7-8 knots) on lake? #12712139 04/11/18 06:06 PM
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Rdubs Offline OP
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Hi everyone
First, thanks for all your help and guidance on other threads, you guys are a great group.
Second...I have a cruising sailboat on Lake Lewisville which one day I'd like to move to the coast and take on ocean passages, and part of that would be to set up troll lines to help catch dinner. But that's a few years off so in the meantime would like to try to practice on the lake I'm on, plus it gives the kids something to hope for, that we might catch something while under sail. The problem is my boat is a little bigger and has a natural cruising speed anywhere between 6 to 8 knots. People troll at that speed all the time in blue water, but the fish they catch are bigger so might be easier for those fish to swim fast enough to keep up. The fish aren't as big on the lake, so not sure if they'd just watch a lure go by at 6-8 knots or if the speed would't affect them.

Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

EDIT: As to type of fish trying to catch, doesn't matter. Mostly it is to give the kids something to get excited about while we are sailing and for me to get practice at the technique/setup. Anything we'd catch we would throw back. Thanks 361V for mentioning that aspect.

Re: Trolling at higher speeds (7-8 knots) on lake? [Re: Rdubs] #12712169 04/11/18 06:26 PM
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361V Offline
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Not educated to the type of fishing you are wanting to do but a bigger boat means open/deeper water so realistically your target fish on Texas lakes would be strippers & sandbass. Except at that rare time that they were schooling on or close to the top you would almost need down riggers to keep lures in their normal strike zone. And seems like you will be moving pretty fast for trolling.

Re: Trolling at higher speeds (7-8 knots) on lake? [Re: Rdubs] #12712188 04/11/18 06:37 PM
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You might try 2 large drift socks and a hellbender rig ,unless the kids don't want to go slower.

Re: Trolling at higher speeds (7-8 knots) on lake? [Re: Rdubs] #12712224 04/11/18 07:09 PM
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If you know your depths pretty well, a Luhr Jensen Jet Diver with a spoon off of it is money for trolling. They come in various sizes for various depths and are practically fool proof, but if you run it too deep, getting hung on the bottom will happen.

Re: Trolling at higher speeds (7-8 knots) on lake? [Re: I'm The Dude] #12712461 04/11/18 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted By: I'm The Dude
If you know your depths pretty well, a Luhr Jensen Jet Diver with a spoon off of it is money for trolling. They come in various sizes for various depths and are practically fool proof, but if you run it too deep, getting hung on the bottom will happen.
Great option. Jet Diver with a Mepps Spinner or spoon would be a great choice for open water sandies, hybrids, bass or strippers. https://www.rapala.com/on/demandware.sta...531JetDiver.pdf

Last edited by 361V; 04/11/18 09:57 PM.
Re: Trolling at higher speeds (7-8 knots) on lake? [Re: 361V] #12712937 04/12/18 04:07 AM
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Originally Posted By: 361V
Originally Posted By: I'm The Dude
If you know your depths pretty well, a Luhr Jensen Jet Diver with a spoon off of it is money for trolling. They come in various sizes for various depths and are practically fool proof, but if you run it too deep, getting hung on the bottom will happen.
Great option. Jet Diver with a Mepps Spinner or spoon would be a great choice for open water sandies, hybrids, bass or strippers.


Thanks much for this intel. I looked at the Jet Diver and think I will get a 20’ version, so I can use the length of line to control the depth. I have a good chart plotter and with a sailboat I keep an eye on depth constantly. I also looked at the Mepps Spinners, on Amazon they have great reviews but I’m not sure what size (or color) to order. Not sure how much difference color makes (hot pink? Hot fire tiger? Great variety) but the size I have no idea on. The options are ounces (1/12 to 1/2 oz), “Size”s 0 through 5 and then #0 through #4. Anyone have a feel for what a good general-use one would be good for the average trolling fish size on Lewisville?

Re: Trolling at higher speeds (7-8 knots) on lake? [Re: Rdubs] #12713071 04/12/18 12:20 PM
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Dennis Christian absolutely changed the way people fish for sandbass. His methods with Mepps spinners revolutionized sandbass fishing for many. There is info here on a killer technique anytime sandies are bunched up on a roadbed, point, hump.... Basically anytime you see them on sonar relating close to the bottom. While not the trolling technique you are going after there is good info on sizes and styles Mepps Angelina spinners for sandies and hybrids. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0aTnxKR9-u8 and another article on the technique: https://www.mepps.com/mepps-tactics/article/the-fishing-discovery-of-my-lifetime/408

Last edited by 361V; 04/12/18 04:34 PM.
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