Trolling is a popular fishing technique that allows anglers to cover a larger area of water by dragging baited lines behind a moving boat. To optimize trolling performance, having the right accessories for your trolling rods is essential. Accessories such as downriggers, planer boards, rod holders, trolling weights, and reel covers can significantly enhance your ability to reach the right depths, cover more water, and maintain control over your gear. These tools not only improve fishing efficiency but also make the process more convenient and enjoyable. In this article, we'll explore the most commonly used accessories for trolling rods, their benefits, and how they can help elevate your fishing experience.
Common Accessories for Trolling Rods
When trolling, having the right accessories for your rod setup can make a significant difference in your fishing success. These accessories help improve your efficiency, increase catch rates, and protect your gear. Below are some of the most commonly used accessories for trolling rods:
1.Downriggers: Essential for Controlling Bait Depth and Targeting Fish at Specific Depths
Downriggers are essential tools for controlling the depth of your bait while trolling. They allow you to lower your bait to the ideal fishing depth, especially in deep waters, where fish tend to swim at varying depths. By attaching the line to a weighted cable, the downrigger helps you maintain precise depth control, ensuring that your bait is positioned where fish are most likely to bite. This accessory is especially important when targeting species that are known to stay at deeper levels, such as salmon or lake trout.
2.Planer Boards: Help Spread Out Fishing Lines to Cover More Water and Reduce Tangles
Planer boards are used to spread your fishing lines out to the sides of the boat while trolling. This allows you to cover a larger area of water without the lines tangling with each other. The boards keep the lines at different angles, helping you target different depths and areas efficiently. They are particularly useful when trolling with multiple rods, as they help reduce line interference and increase your chances of catching fish across a broader area.
3.Rod Holders: Provide Stability and Keep Rods Secure While Trolling at Higher Speeds
Rod holders are crucial for stability and convenience while trolling, especially when fishing at higher speeds. They allow you to secure your rods in place, keeping them steady while you focus on other tasks like steering the boat or monitoring the lines. Rod holders also prevent rods from bouncing around and getting damaged when the boat is in motion. Whether you’re fishing with one or multiple rods, having sturdy rod holders ensures your gear stays in place and your fishing experience is smooth.
4.Trolling Weights: Used to Sink Bait Deeper and Maintain Control Over the Depth of Your Presentation
Trolling weights help sink your bait to the desired depth and maintain consistent control over where your bait is placed. These weights are especially useful when trolling in deeper water or when you need to target fish that are lower in the water column. By adding weight to your line, you can ensure that your bait stays in the right zone, whether you’re fishing for species like walleye or tuna that prefer deeper areas.
5.Reel Covers: Protect the Reels from Damage, Saltwater, and Weather Conditions
Reel covers are protective accessories that shield your reels from saltwater, sun exposure, and harsh weather conditions. Saltwater can cause corrosion and damage to the internal components of your reel, so having a cover helps extend the life of your gear. Reel covers also protect your reels from scratches and dirt, ensuring they remain in top condition for many fishing trips to come. They are particularly important when trolling in saltwater, where environmental conditions can quickly degrade equipment if not properly maintained.
Benefits of These Accessories
Using the right accessories with your trolling rods not only makes the fishing process more efficient but also more enjoyable. These accessories help enhance your control over the fishing lines, optimize your bait presentation, and protect your gear, ultimately increasing your chances of success. Below are the benefits of each accessory and examples of when they are most useful.
1.Downriggers: Essential for Depth Control and Precision
Benefit: Downriggers allow you to precisely control the depth of your bait while trolling, ensuring it reaches the correct level where fish are most likely to be feeding. This enhances depth precision and allows you to target fish at specific depths, improving your chances of catching fish that are deeper in the water column.
When Most Useful: Downriggers are particularly useful in deep-water trolling when targeting species like salmon, lake trout, or kingfish that tend to swim at varying depths. They are essential for reaching depths that are difficult to manage with just a standard rod and reel setup.
2.Planer Boards: Expanding Your Coverage and Reducing Tangles
Benefit: Planer boards help spread out your fishing lines to the sides of the boat, reducing the risk of tangling when using multiple rods. This allows you to cover more water and increase your chances of catching fish over a broader area.
When Most Useful: Planer boards are perfect when trolling with multiple rods or when you need to cover a larger area of water. They are especially effective when fishing in open water or when trolling for species like walleye or pike that are spread out across wide areas.
3.Rod Holders: Stability and Convenience for Multiple Rods
Benefit: Rod holders provide stability and allow you to secure your rods while trolling, enabling you to focus on other tasks like adjusting the boat’s direction or monitoring your lines. They prevent your rods from moving around, protecting them from damage and keeping them in the correct position for optimal fishing.
When Most Useful: Rod holders are essential when trolling with multiple rods at once. They are especially useful in situations where you need to fish at higher speeds or when you’re fishing with diver rigs or downrigger setups. They keep the rods securely in place, ensuring that you don’t lose your gear while focusing on other tasks.
4.Trolling Weights: Control Bait Depth for Targeting Specific Fish
Benefit: Trolling weights help sink the bait to the desired depth, ensuring your bait stays at the right level where the fish are most likely to strike. They also help you maintain depth control in deeper water or when you need to target fish in specific areas of the water column.
When Most Useful: Trolling weights are critical when fishing for species like walleye, trout, or tuna that inhabit deeper waters. They are particularly useful when adjusting bait depth is necessary to catch fish at different depths, especially when targeting species that prefer deeper layers of the water.
5.Reel Covers: Protecting Your Gear from Harsh Conditions
Benefit: Reel covers protect your reels from damage, including saltwater exposure, sun damage, and abrasion from rough weather. They help extend the lifespan of your reels by preventing corrosion and keeping dirt or salt from building up in the gears.
When Most Useful: Reel covers are indispensable when trolling in saltwater or in harsh weather conditions. They’re essential for long-term gear protection, especially when you store your equipment for extended periods. Reel covers protect your investment and ensure your gear remains in excellent working condition for future use.
Tips for Proper Maintenance of Trolling Rod Accessories
Proper maintenance of trolling rod accessories ensures long-lasting performance and efficient operation. Regular care keeps your gear in good condition, preventing damage and wear. Here are some tips for cleaning and storing key accessories like downriggers, rod holders, and trolling weights.
1.How to Clean and Care for Downriggers, Rod Holders, and Trolling Weights
Downriggers:
Rinse with fresh water after each use to remove salt and debris.
Lubricate moving parts like cables to ensure smooth operation.
Inspect cables and release clips regularly for wear.
Rod Holders:
Rinse after each trip, especially after saltwater fishing, to prevent corrosion.
Check for cracks or loose parts and tighten as needed.
Lubricate adjustable parts to keep them functioning properly.
Trolling Weights:
Rinse with fresh water to remove salt and dirt, and wipe dry.
Check for rust or corrosion, applying a rust inhibitor if necessary.
Dry thoroughly before storage to prevent rust buildup.
2.Importance of Regular Maintenance
Regular cleaning and lubrication prevent damage from dirt, salt, and wear, ensuring your accessories perform well.
Inspection for wear ensures that your gear remains functional and reduces the risk of malfunctions.
3.Storing Accessories Properly
Store in a dry place to prevent rust and damage from moisture.
Use protective covers for rod holders and reels to shield them from the elements.
Organize accessories to avoid tangling and damage, especially cables and lines.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
1.What is a downrigger, and why is it essential for trolling?
A downrigger helps control the depth of your bait, allowing you to target fish at specific depths, making it essential for offshore trolling.
2.How do planer boards help when trolling?
Planer boards spread out your fishing lines to cover more water and reduce tangling, improving the chances of catching more fish.
3.Why do I need a rod holder when trolling?
Rod holders keep your rods stable and secure while trolling, allowing you to fish multiple lines at once without holding them constantly.
4.How should I maintain my trolling rod accessories?
Regularly clean your downriggers, rod holders, and trolling weights to ensure their longevity. Store them properly to prevent rust and wear from exposure to saltwater.
Conclusion
In conclusion, key accessories like downriggers, planer boards, rod holders, trolling weights, and reel covers play vital roles in enhancing the performance and convenience of your trolling setup. Downriggers allow for precise depth control, while planer boards help spread out your lines to cover more water. Rod holders provide stability during high-speed trolling, and trolling weights help you target specific depths, making your bait presentation more effective. Reel covers protect your gear from environmental damage, ensuring its longevity. As you gain more experience, don’t hesitate to experiment with different accessories to find the perfect combination that suits your fishing style. Testing out various tools can greatly improve your trolling efficiency, expand your reach, and ultimately enhance your fishing success.
