Minnow trolling

Types of Minnow Trolling

The minnow trolling is a famous fishing method that uses artificial minnows to attract and catch fish. There are several types of minnow trollings, and they include:

• Shallow Diving Minnows

  These minnows are designed to swim just below the water's surface, typically around 2 to 5 feet deep. They are perfect for trolling in areas where fish feed on bait close to the surface, like open water or shallow structures. Anglers often use these shallow-diving minnows to target species such as bass, pike, or trout in lakes and coastal waters. The realistic swimming action and color patterns of these minnows make them highly effective in enticing predatory fish to strike.

• Deep Diving Minnows

  These minnows can reach depths ranging from 10 to 30 feet or more, depending on the size and design. They are ideal for targeting fish species that feed on deeper water, like walleye or salmon, during trolling. Deep-diving minnows have a more pronounced wobbling action, mimicking distressed prey, which triggers strikes from deep-water predators. Anglers can adjust the diving depth of these minnows by using different trolling speeds and line lengths.

• Jointed Minnows

  They have two or more segments linked by joints, allowing them to produce a more lifelike swimming motion in the water. This design is particularly effective in triggering strikes from inactive or wary fish. Jointed minnows are commonly used for trolling species like musky, large trout, or saltwater game fish. The key to successful trolling with jointed minnows is to maintain a steady, moderate trolling speed to create the right action.

• Suspending Minnows

  These minnows can be paused in mid-water after being jerked or twitched, giving a more realistic prey-like appearance to fish. They are perfect for areas with varying depths and structures, like drop-offs, ledges, or submerged trees. Suspending minnows are particularly effective in cold water when fish become lethargic and less willing to chase fast-moving prey. By precisely adjusting the depth and action of the suspending minnows, anglers can target a wide range of species, including large bass, deep-water trout, and even exotic saltwater fish.

Scenarios of Minnow Trolling

To those who are still figuring out what trolling for minnows looks like, here are some of the applications.

• Fishing Bait

  Trolling minnow is primarily used for fish hunting, especially in catching larger species like bass and pike. To achieve this, one must move the minnow slowly in the water in an attempt to imitate a natural prey of such fish.

• Fish Stock Management

  Another important use of trolling minnow is during stocking and restocking of fish in lakes and ponds. After artificially introducing fish into a water body, fishery managers usually use minnow trolling to monitor and determine the success rate of the recently added fish. This exercise is also useful when surveying the variety and amount of fish present in a water body.

• Recreational Fishing

  To many fishing enthusiasts, minnow trolling is a very fun and enjoyable activity. This is usually evidenced by those who participate in fishing tournaments. The primarily targeted fish for these activities are those that are considered hard to catch and those that are bigger in size.

• Research Purposes

  For those people who are involved in fish behavior and ecology studies, minnow trolling is used as a technique to capture fish samples for their studies. This method is also used to gather data on the distribution and population density of certain fish species in a given water body.

• Lake and Pond Management

  Fishery experts usually use minnow trolling as one of the methods to monitor and manage fish populations in lakes and ponds. This method is also useful when carrying out fish population assessments and in controlling certain fish populations, especially where they are invasive.

How to Choose Minnow Trolling

Follow the guidelines below to choose the right minnow trolling for the waters.

• Determine the target species

  Different fish species are attracted to different minnows. For instance, bigger fish such as trout and pike are attracted to the larger minnow baits. The key here is to match the minnow bait size as well as the type to the target fish.

• Consider the water type

  For minnow baits to be effective underwater, they should create a convincing prey-like appearance and action. This means that the trolling bait's size, color, and action should resemble the type of minnow present in the fishing waters. Look for shallow diving minnow baits for clear waters. Conversely, go for deep diving minnow baits for murky waters.

• Check the diving depth

  Once a minnow bait is cast and trolled, it dives to a certain depth depending on its lip size and bill angle. Shallow diving minnow baits have small lips and are ideal for shallow water fishing, usually under 3 meters. Conversely, deep diving minnow baits have bigger lips and are suitable for deep water trolling.

• Evaluate the trolling speed

  Every trolling minnow has a recommended trolling speed range. Going beyond the recommended speed can damage the lure. For instance, crankbait minnow baits are suitable for high-speed trolling. On the other hand, soft plastics are ideal for slow-speed trolling.

• Assess the minnow bait's durability

  Choose a minnow trolling bait made of high-quality materials like hard plastic. Although it will cost more, it will last longer and save replacement costs.

Function, Feature and Design of Minnow Trolling

To better understand minnow trolling, it is important to understand the function, features, and design of minnow trolling as well. Below are some of the functions, features, and design of minnow trolling.

• Function

  One of the main functions of minnow trolling is to fish. No matter what the species, minnow trolling is meant to catch fish. The moving bait is meant to mimic a wounded prey, which makes fish more likely to bite it. Another function of minnow trolling is that it helps to cover a large area. By changing the depth and speed of the minnow, the troll can fish in different water levels and layers, which helps to ensure that no spot is missed. With a troll over a large area, one can find where fish are concentrated and catch more, too.

  Some minnow trollings, especially the digital ones, have a depth capability function that helps to measure how deep one is going to fish. This is particularly important when trying to fish for a specific species that does not swim close to the surface or in shallow water.

• Features

  One important feature of minnow trolling is the trolling motor. It helps to pull the lure and maintain the speed and direction of the trolling. Another important feature is the rod and reel. The rod helps to withstand the pressure when a fish is hooked, while the reel is used to bring the fish in when it has been caught.

  Another feature that is just as important as the rest is the line. The fishing line connects the rod and reel to the lure and is used to bring in the fish once it has been caught.

  One more important feature of minnow trolling is the depth adjustment. This allows the troll to adjust how deep they are going to fish and is particularly useful when trying to fish for a specific species that does not swim close to the surface or in shallow water.

• Design

  The design of minnow trolling usually depends on the manufacturer and the materials used. However, in most cases, minnow trolling is designed with durable materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and fiberglass.

  Their finish is mostly smooth and sleek, with some curves and angles that help to make it more attractive to fish. The lures are designed to look like small fish or other prey and are usually painted or colored to make them more appealing to fish.

Q & A

Q1: What fish species can be targeted using minnow trolling?

A1: Minnow trolling can be used to fish various species such as trout, salmon, bass, pike, and walleye among others. Each species has its own preferences and behaviors, making them suitable for minnow trolling.

Q2: What is the ideal speed for minnow trolling?

A2: The ideal speed for minnow trolling depends on the fish being targeted. Generally, trolling speed ranges between 2 to 5 mph. Slower speeds are suitable for trout and salmon, while bass and pike require moderate speeds.

Q3: How does one choose the right minnow for trolling?

A3: To select the most suitable minnow for trolling, consider the species of fish being targeted, the habitat where one is trolling, and the depth where the minnow will be swimming. Also, look at the size and swimming pattern of the minnow to ensure it imitates the prey of the fish being targeted.

Q4: What are the common challenges in minnow trolling?

A4: Some of the challenges experienced when trolling for minnows include snagging on the bottom, dealing with weeds and debris, maintaining the right trolling speed, and depth.

Q5: How can one avoid overfishing when trolling minnows?

A5: To avoid overfishing when trolling for minnow, one should fish within the limits, practice catch and release, and be mindful of the ecosystem.

Q6: Can minnow trolling be done in any body of water?

A6: Minnow trolling can be done in many water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and even in the ocean. However, it is important to check the local regulations and restrictions as some areas may have specific rules regarding trolling.