Proper Trolling�Etiquette

First thing first. I'm trying to help everyone here. Many people just don't know proper fishing etiquette. So let's show some �here. (for the jug heads out there that means be nice)�

When trolling we try to stay a hundred yards or more from other boats and make sure to stay at least fifty yards away if possible. Sometimes you get cut off by another boat, bottom contour, or something else and can't help it but that's rare. If we are already on a spot first then things are different. Even then we usually move on if someone slides in on us. We are out there to have a good time and it's just not worth the trouble to get upset at someone suffering from�cranial rectosis.

If you want to join us. Just watch �first to see if we have a trolling pattern going. Then just fall in about one hundred yards behind or so that we will pass one another near the turnaround, not on top of the fish. �Keep your eyes on the other boats and be ready for sudden turns or stops as they might get hug up, big or multiple fish on, or have something in the way.�

When someone is trolling they deserve the same respect other fishermen want from them. If you see someone trolling near a spot you are headed to, watch them a few minutes. If they are already fishing that same spot join them trolling or move on. That's what you would expect of them if you were there first. �To cut them off on purpose is just as sorry and rude as someone motoring through a boat show that's on top of schooling fish.�

Please comment if you would like to add to or disagree with what I have said. I know some will have other opinions and I am interested in them. I may learn a thing or three.�

TEXASFIVEGUN
Chad Mathis �

Great Thread! Thanks

Well spoken Chad. There is nothing wrong with trolling even guides do it some times. Everyone just needs to show respect to each others method. I have been the only boat in an area trolling and other boats come in and cut me off or look at me like i'm doing some thing wrong. I never run my motor in a school of fish thats just dumb!

Your comments concerning idiot trollers is well spoken! You are assuming that the idiot trollers are tffer's and they probably are not. What to do as a unit of fellow fishermen concerning #@mb-a@# trollers that cut u off or troll within shouting distance with the big motor on, that is the issue. Personally I yell, throw a slab and or wave with a slit to the throat motion to go away and get the he$$ out of here. You comments pls.

Trolling is for people who don't know how to catch fish. Thank God LL does not have an abundance of trollers.

I guess that I am REAL old school here. I have had Bombay, and several others that have tried to signal me over to fish close to them and I just can't make myself do it. There might be plenty of fish for everyone, but he/she/they were the ones that found them. I try stay a very conservative 150-200 yds away. If there are fish where I am, great..... if not, I move on and try to find some others. Just simple manors......don't scr** it up for someone else. If it is a large schooling action, I look for that open spot on the perimeter where I can still maintain my distance. That simple.

Good thread. Hopefully it will enlighten some folks. I've been trolled over many times while slabbing and I've been cut off while trolling. I want to believe the people that have cut me off didn't know what I was doing. Not sure if that is true or not. I hadn't done much trolling until this year and I've probably been guilty in the past of cutting off some trollers out of ignorance. There were several times over the summer when someone would pull up in the middle of where I was trolling and I'd just change up to work around them. They'd see me catching fish and join in trolling most of the time. I really enjoy it when there are 4 or 5 boats working with each other and everyone is catching fish.

Good thread Chad.

Part of the problem is we call everyone that pulls baits/lures through the water a troller.

There is a lot of skill required to learn the right speed, the right depth and the right lure and presentation.

The only problem I have with trolling (and I troll myself sometimes) is when someone is trolling a big hump, like Vaughn's hump on Lewisville. That hump is like 300 yards long and if they are trolling it east to west or west to east, they are taking up the whole hump. When I am trolling and no one is around, I might troll it east to west a little, but if someone comes up to fish, I stop. I may continue to troll going north/south, but on a small part of the hump.

I also like to troll deadman's kind of sideways instead of directly over the top (more coverage). This also can take up a lot of space if others come around.

I never troll a hump if someone is already fishing in that area.

Good thread!

My issue was with the guy who trolled through working birds and top water action going on.

So what do u do?.,troll an anchor close to their water column?? Do donuts at full speed around their fishing zone. I refuse to troll, unless it is hot outside and my beer is getting warm as well.

gborg, you got it right! Troll when it is hot, so you can drink a cold beer!

I don't troll mainly because to me, it is boring. I like to feel the thump just before I set the hook. I know there are a lot of people that catch a lot of fish trolling but it is just not for me.
One thing Chad mentioned, I pulled up to a spot that I was going to fish and there were 2 boats there already there trolling. I gave them the right of way and stayed out because I was going to be vertical fishing this hump and be in their way. I would like the same courtesy if I am already there, and they showed up to troll. Very good point.

wait look, that guy is catching em trolling lets go there!!!!!