trolling speed

guys what is the right trollong speeds under most conditions when trolling with dipsys and boards

CB is right, you get varying feedback from different people.  Due to my background as a muskie fisherman, I like to troll faster to cover more water not that 1mph is that much a difference, but its kind of in my nature.  In the early spring, I try to keep my speed just around 2 and under, if I can keep it there....BUT Once things heat up for the walleye, in the summer, I generally never go under 2 mph. and rarely exceed 3.  These speeds have been successful for me whether running cranks, harnesses or spoons.  Bottom line is this:  Don't try to turn it all into "rocket science", just get out there and experiment and you will find what works best for you. Good Luck

A simple question...... I've chased hundreds of muskies and once things heat up we usually run around 4.5 to 5 mph. They will hit at a slower speed but to cover the ground to find them is the key.
 
The question is..... for CB and all the harness guys (which I am)  Once I've found a pac of eyes and am no longer concerned about covering ground, can I go too slow with Dipsies and harnesses?
 
If you musky guys want a crank to troll at ANY speed try the Wiley Lure's. I've caught skis on Chautauqua at 11 mph!

Once you have a group of fish and have them keyed in on depth, speed, and colors should only take a few passes to fill the cooler...lol So why slow down??  Just keep circling and taking fish.  If its rough pull rods and go back through it.  I try to never go over 2mph when pulling harnesses. 1.7- 2.0 is my speed...
 
Once I have em dialed in it seems as though you can do very little wrong.  Just pay attention to your electronics and your rods...Do i think you can go too fast?...Absolutly...to slow?...You betcha!...Speed is a key issue that needs to be addressed before you even think about what color harnesses your are running...Once you dial in depth and speed you can then worry about color, but as i have always stated I have about 10 colors that i can run almost anyday and catch fish with great results, and i try to not confuse myself beyond that....
 
If you have 500 different harnesses, thats good for you.  But when will you ever be able to utilize that entire color scheme??  If you have 5 or 10 go to colors that always seem to work for your with consistant results, stick to your guns...dont confuse yourself....sometimes these walleyes can become very elusive, thats what makes them such a prized game fish....
 
 

MM..... I am familiar with the Jimmy lures. How about the Leo Lures? They are top quality too with first class paint jobs and they run great..... and they're also made by a heck of a nice guy out of Ellwood city. He makes an awesome jerkbait too since trolling isn't your bag. I do both depending on what they want. You can't cast for the BIG muskies in St Clair or the St Lawrence. In the Kawarthas however I've casted up hundreds of them. Chautauqua too but the biggest are still caught trolling.
 
I once heard a person say that sitting in a tree stand is like a day off. Try it from sunup to sundown even in nice weather and let me know how you feel. Same with trolling. I've heard some say trolling is for lazy people. I say this.... if you completely rule out trolling for muskies or say you hate it.... you probably just did it the lazy way or never quite got good at it. Same goes for the people who only or mostly drift for walleyes. Trolling is a science and once you take the time to get technical it will produce and you will like it. I can recall a St Clair trip about 4 years ago. We had 4 boats up for a week and caught 287 muskies of which 15 were over 50 inches. All trolling. I had a friend from Canada who took 1st place at the first ever PMTT tourney at Cave Run. Everyone down there is a modified bass guy. They all cast. My buddy and I were the only two boats trolling. He got 7 the first day. The following morning we laughed at the glittery Ranger boat guys who were in the Wal Mart parking lot by our hotel screwing rod holders into their gunnels. All we could think is...if they think trolling is throwing a rod in a holder & driving around man do they have alot to learn. Casting? Trolling? Every dog has it's day but I don't see me casting Erie for walleyes either but the river fisherman love it. After that some of the guides down there, Gregg Thomas, Crash Mullins etc. had Dale Wiley & Todd Young (PMTT Top Guns) go down to teach them to troll. LOL During that  trip Gregg caught a 50+ which was his personal best and he'd fished the lake for a lifetime before that.....all casting.
 
Oh yeah.... I'm on a walleye thread. woops

Not to mess with everyones speed theories, but I remember the first time I ever tried trolling for eyes on erie we hadn't had a bite until I accidentally bumped the throttle.  The speed changed knocked me over and by the time I caught my balance and slowed the engine back down 2 of the 4 rods went down.   We limited out in about 2 hours trolling 4-5mph when no one else was catching them.  Both harnesses and spoons were working at that speed.    It's tough on your gear but if you arent hitting them at normal speeds don't be afraid to speed up.

Were you going by the speed on your GPS or fishfinder ? Using dipsys , bottom bouncers ? There are alot of variables here ..... Trolling is not as easy as one might surmise . Trolling with weights oppossed to divers is a whole different ball game . Divers tend to run an even dive curve while your weighted presentations are entirely speed dependant in relation to depth of your lure .

When I have an inexperienced guy running the motor once they hit 3 MPH the dipsys release themselves ..... That makes for a long day .

3mph seems fast in all aspects...even for steel...Underwater currents can reek a little havoc on your baits, but usually a lil jump in speed on a turn will usually compensate for that....If the underwater currents are that strong, i dont think you would want to turn around anyways....
 
under 2 for eyes with harnesses, under 3 for steel with spoons...lol thats an easy equation.

FYI 4-5 mph is to slow for tuna's try 6-7 ...wahoo we have caught over 9-10 mph  dolphins ( MahiMahi) is a good bet at 4-5 mph

yes you were going 5 mph but with  the flow of the lake you can pick up a 2-5 or a  2/7 under tow and on gps will read a 5mph or faSTER you were in a under tow  you can see most under tows at a bio map or a current or will see a thermal cline thus if u fill the boat going faster and as soon as your lures or ball or dips hit it you can see the differeance best to look for thermalclines  this time of year set up will be at 38 ft or so pending on wheather front  do not know if that is what u mean but that is what happend to you if you have any questions ill dirrect you to a gov site that will show a good schm of such

Do you know Jimmy?  I sure do.  Jim Housholder.  Him and my dad are good friends and I'm close with the family.  The Jimmy Lure will out work any plug, but no faster than  3 or 4 mph.  The lips and the erratic action cannot hold up to the speed.  If you you are a troller who won't speed up to 5mph then they are perfect for you.  Also, do not anticipate them coming on the scene anytime soon, because they are not.  Jimmy is retired now and focusing on fishing local lakes for walleye and panfish.  Did you know that he has made some awesome walleye lures as well?  Yes....I still catch many Erie walleye on them still, until they **** the bed on me that is.  Leos are good lures, but Wileys are pretty hard to beat.

When are you going to acknowledge my rips Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????
 
P.s.-  don't troll too slow with Dipsys......or you lose 'em!

MuskyM,  I'm headed up to Tamarack this morning for some muskie action.  Where are you from?  We should hook up sometime and stir up the water!

Lost two skis today...one was a definite 45+ trolling up to make another drift....Wild when they hit while the pole in hand!  Raised 9 other fish....nothing under 35 to 38.  Action packed day out on the water.