Trolling for Bass
by Capt. Gus Gustafson

A simple way to catch bass from any boat, even a pleasure vessel, is to troll. Trolling is accomplished, when a lure is cast behind the boat and pulled at a slow rate of speed with the motor running. Boats equipped with rod holders, can fish with multiple rods. If not, each angler must hold a rod while trolling and waiting for a bite.

Trolling for bass is fun and easy, especially in the fall and early winter when spotted and largemouth bass are swimming near the shoreline. If you aren’t sure what depth to troll, zigzag your lines in water from eight to twenty feet of water. When fish are located, continue to fish at that depth. Boat speed is crucial to catching fish and slower is usually better. Boat speeds of 1.75 to 2.50 miles per hour will usually attract the most strikes. Best places to troll are near boat docks, channel markers, islands and over shallow points that jut out into the lake.

Crank baits from 2.5″ to 4.5″ in length, those that dive below the surface from three to eight feet are the lures of choice. Best colors are chartreuse, blue, crayfish, grey, silver, white and black. When in doubt, use chartreuse. Bass in the Piedmont lakes seem to see it better than other colors.

A seven-foot spinning outfit, loaded with ten-pound test line, is perfect for trolling. Begin by casting the lure about thirty feet off the stern and either hold the rod or place it in a rod holder. As the boat moves, you will notice a bend in the rod tip and a slight bouncing motion. Any sudden backward bend is the indication that a fish has struck the lure. Start reeling immediately. Keep a bow in the rod and the line taut while playing your fish. Bass will usually jump several times before getting close enough to be landed. So, do not get excited, just keep the line tight and lead the fish, head first, to the person holding the landing net in the water. If you try to lift it out of the water without a net, the fish might break your line or pull the hook.

When a spotted or largemouth bass is landed, circle around so the lures go over the same spot the fish was originally hooked. Many times there is more than one bass in a location. Passing over that area again and again is often more productive than searching out a new spot. There are times when bass and other predators will only hit a lure trolled in one direction or the other. That is because they are oriented to facing into a current or looking at an ambush point that they expect their next meal to swim past.

While bass make excellent table fare, many are released to fight another day. If you decide to keep a few to eat, remember that the creel limit is a combination of five each 14″ long largemouth and/or spotted bass per angler, per day. There is no closed bass fishing season on the Piedmont lakes.

Tips From Capt. Gus!
While trolling, be on the watch for surface feeding bass and stripers. Do not troll through the middle of the fray, circle the edges. Better yet, cut off the motor and cast a lure into the feeding fish. When the surface activity subsides, resume trolling.

Captain Gus Gustafson is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and a Professional Sport Fishing Guide. Visit his web site www.FishingWithGus.com, e-mail Gus@lakenorman.com or call 704-617-6812.