Getting Started

What is your budget it helps to know and what species do you plan on targeting? Do you plan on just fishing the Erie PA area or other areas as well. These will help us give you the best recommendations.

Ok...how is your boat currently rigged? Does it have a planer mast or are you planning on running inline boards? You can get started and cover a lot of bases relatively cheaply by running dipseys and inline boards if you don't have a mast. You can even use the same trolling rods/line for both, although you may have to swap out your releases for braid depending on what inlines you're using.

There are a lot of really informed Erie trollers on here whose opinions I value highly. However, opinions are like....ummmm....elbows. Everyone has their own little way of doing things and it can get confusing at times, just try to absorb as much info as possible and try to match it to your budget/situation.

With that said, here's my two cents: Get good quality rod holders, especially if you plan on keeping your current boat for a while. I use Traxstech on my boat, but you really can't go wrong with Cisco (expensive), Berts, Big Jon, or even Cannons. I personally don't go top of the line for trolling rods or reels, but I don't go bottom of the barrel either. There are lots of good inexpensive trolling rods and reels out there. For the most part I use Okuma Convectors on Okuma Blue Diamond rods (both sold on FishUSA). The Convectors have been bulletproof, and so have the Blue Diamonds (I have 12 of them), except for the 762 ml rigger rods. I had 2 guides break on the same guide (second from the end) purchased a year apart...When running dipseys I typically run 10'ers on the outside, 8'6" in the middle and either 8'6" or 7'6" on the inside. I often run 2 dipseys on each side and riggers off the back. If I'm using planer boards, either inline or big boards, the dipsey rods usually go away and I'll run strictly boards, or a combination of boards and riggers. I rarely run more than 6 rods mainly because I rarely have more than 3 fishermen on board (that will change in 2012 however ). When running boards I like to run the same rods so that I can watch for any variances in action. I use 7'6" rods for boards.

Most guys I know use PowerPro 30# for their braid rods for dipseys. Any heavy 20-30# mono will work for backing...I use Ande 30# or TripleFish 20#, but Trilene Big Game or similar is fine. I was using Seaguar CarbonPro 20# for leader material, but was starting to encounter abrasion problems. I'm trying Gamma flurocarbon 25# this year per Kingnuke's suggestion. I have no problems using braid with inline boards, but have not had good luck using braid with the big boards so I have 8 dedicated rigger/big board rods with mono mainline and fluro leaders.

As far as electronics go, it's really a matter of preference. I've had good luck with Lowrance and Humminbird. I've heard horror stories from Lowrance, but haven't had to deal with their customer service. I have dealt with Humminbird's C.S. and was satisfied with their service. Raymarine and Furuno are excellent, but are more expensive. I run a Lowrance HDS 7 on my Erie boat. I like it, but if I was going to install new electronics I would have a separate sounder/chartplotter and chartplotter...easier to read and gps redundancy is good.

Good luck and welcome to the madness!

Best advice I can give you for rigging your boat for Erie is, get a home equity line of credit...

Power pro with fluoro leader. Good advice so far on most everything. I have a bunch of Cabelas trolling combos and have had no problems with them, would think that the Okuma combos would be similar. Check FishUSA first, gotta support our hosts! Figure about $100 for a decent combo and then add $25 or $30 for the line for each, you'll want at least 6 dipsy combos, 4 rigger combos (if you're running riggers). Then there's the wire, lead core and perching rods not to mention the $1,000 or so you'll spend on lures and tackle. Get yourself a GOOD long handled net appropriately sized for walleye, if you don't expect to lose fish at the boat. I have redundant GPS systems and always carry my cell on board. Make sure all safety equipment is up to date. Don't forget a good anchor and 250 - 300 feet of rode. I use the dipsy rods most for trolling and have 6 short ugly sticks for perch rods on board at all times. Oh, and you'll want to spool the perch rods with fireline or braid.

See what I mean about the home ec line? Seriously though you can get started with just the dipsy stuff and perch rods and build the "collection" over a couple of years. Good luck with your search and enjoy it! Welcome to the madness...

Yes, light line, but braid for zero stretch and the ability to feel the slightest peck in 60-70 fow. I actually like a slightly stouter rod for perching because you are often using a heavy sinker.

Welcome aboard!

Rigging a boat for Trolling on Erie has been an ongoing hobby for some time. It's pretty awesome. It's non stop get this, buy that, tweek this, adjust that, and pick up a few more of those. I love it. I spent the entire winter gettn the new boat ready. This is the secound time around, jez!
The best thing is to start simple and learn as much as you can. Look, listn, and ask questions. It's not a bad idea to try to get out on a few different rigs either to get a few different ideas. You gotta see what's right for your and your rig. If you ever wanna head out on my rig I would be happy to pass any info I know on to ya, I'm still getn my learn on too.

You will love every minute of it!

Just hope the Asian carp stay away or all of our rigs will be worthless.

I'm all in, with the braid. I'm switchin all my trollin rods over this year. Did my perch rods last year.

Bar 2. PM me if you want to get out on the lake.