Drag Trolling
Drag Trolling
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 Penn International V Two Speed 50 VSW Reel 50VSW  US $449.98
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 Penn Long Beach 68 Vintage Reel with Dacron GREAT CONDITION LOOK 4 YOURSELF US $25.00
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 OKUMA TAL 50 LIGHT TROLLING REEL LEVER DRAG LEVELWIND GRAPHITE TITANIUM FRAME US $60.00
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 PENN 113H SENATOR 4 0 SPECIAL GRAPHITE FRAME RED BIG GAME TUNA REEL NICEST US $76.00
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 Shimano TLD 30 II Lever Drag 2 Speed Reel Used Very Good Conditoin US $172.50
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 Shimano TLD 50 II Lever Drag 2 Speed Reel Used Very Good Conditoin US $232.50
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 Minty Penn 210 High Speed Levelwind L W Inshore Medium Game Fishing Reel US $30.00
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 NEW 3BB Baitcast Reel CL60 Fishing Casting Trolling US $24.99
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 New Sealine SL20SH Reel Daiwa US $97.99
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 143 Ocean City Saltwater Deep Sea Trolling Reel with Original Box Paperwork US $6.50
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 New Sealine SL30SH Reel Daiwa US $97.99
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 PENN INTERNATIONAL 12VS 2 SPEED LEVER DRAG TROLLING REEL NEW US $395.99
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 Quantum Cabo CNW20PTs Trolling Reel US $54.00
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 Penn 16VS Big Game 2 Speed Fishing Reel Used Excellent US $177.50
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 PENN INTERNATIONAL 50VSW REEL SET OF 6 US $3,800.00
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 Mint Condition Shimano Torsa 30 w Custom Half Hitch Tackle Trolling Rod US $325.09
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 Penn International 80 Gold Big Game Fishing Reel Trolling US $265.00
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 Penn International 30 Gold Big Game Fishing Reel Trolling US $123.65
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 Penn International 20 Gold Big Game Fishing Reel Trolling US $78.00
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 Okuma CL 300L CLASSIC Saltwater Fishing Reel 41 Ratio US $16.50
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 Penn Squall 30LD NIB US $80.00
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 MINT CONDITION OMOTO Poseidon S 22 II Lever Drag Big Game Reel Orange Spooled US $102.50
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 US Made Penn 49 Absolutely Mint w New Line Clamp Return Warranty US $38.50
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 PENN SENATOR 113H 2 CONVENTIONAL SALTWATER REEL PENN SENATOR 113H 2 R H REEL US $46.00
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 Shimano Triton Trolling TTS50 fishing reel with custom 2 speed conversion US $66.00
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 CANYON REELS EX16 TWO SPEED GUN METAL COLOR NEW US $350.00
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 New Penn International V Two Speed 16 VSX Reel 16VSX US $379.95
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 Shimano TLD15 Conventional Lever Drag TLD 15 US $116.50
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 used SHIMANO TLD25 Big Game Conventional Fishing Reel US $2.35
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 Penn Senator Fishing Reel US $50.00
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 Penn Special Senator 114H 6 0 Conventional Trolling Reel Saltwater Made in USA US $175.00
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 SHIMANO TRITON BIG GAME TROLLING REEL 50W TT50W LK NO RESERVE US $102.50
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 PENN 320 GT2 LEVELWIND SALTWATER GRAPHITE FISHING REEL 320GT2 US $39.99
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 PENN 230 GTO LEVELWIND MARINE FISHING TROLLING REEL US $24.99
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 Shimano TLD 30A 2 Speed Lever Drag Trolling Reel TLD 30IIA $299 Retail NEW US $239.95
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 PENN SENATOR 113 4 0 REEL CLEANED AND READY TO FISH US $24.99
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 PENN 500 JIGMASTER WITH EXTRA ALUMINUM SPOOL AND NEW LINE LOOK US $15.50
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 FISHING REEL OMOTO GTR TOLIMAR 25 2 SPEED US $197.00
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 FISHING REEL OMOTO GTR TOLIMAR 30 2 SPEED US $50.00
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 Penn International II 16S Conventional Big Game Trolling Reel NO RESERVE US $152.50
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 Shimano TLD 25 US $150.00
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 Okuma Convector CV 30 D Level Wind Trolling Fishing Reel US $10.55
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 Shimano Torium 16 Conventional Saltwater Reel US $89.99
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 PENN FIERCE FRC5000 Fishing Spinning Reel FREE SHIP US $57.94
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 PENN SLAMMER 760L Live Liner Spinning Reel FREE USA SHIPPING US $127.29
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 Penn 320 GTi Graphite High Speed 45 1 Levelwind 320 Yds 20Lb Line NICE US $34.99
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 PENN SENATOR 4 0 113 SALT WATER BIG GAME REEL US $31.59
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 Vintage Penn Long Beach No 66 Salt Water Reel Good 2nd Reel or For Parts US $11.50
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 Penn 320 GTi Graphite High Speed 45 1 Levelwind New in Box 320 Yds 20Lb Lin US $44.99
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 Shimano Tekota 600LC TEK600LC Line Counter US $81.00
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 Nice Vintage JC Higgins Trolling Downrigger Reel Saltwater Penn 180 US $19.99
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 PENN BATTLE BTL2000 Fishing Spinning Reel FREE USA SHIPPING US $78.84
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 Penn International 12VSX 2 Speed Reel Brand New In Box US $426.99
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 Penn International V Single Speed 50 VW Reel 50VW US $412.98
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 FISHING REEL LOT INCLUDES PENN 7500 SS AND MITCHELL TROLLING REEL 4 REELS TOTAL US $11.25
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 Shimano Triton Trolling TTS 50W with Cal Sheets 2 speed conversion US $100.00
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 Vintage Pflueger Rocket No 1375 Trolling Casting Boat Reel Very Good Condition US $9.95
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 Vintage PENN PEER 309 Bakelite Bait Casting Saltwater Fishing Trolling Reel US $19.95
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 Penn Senator 9 0 115 fishing reel US $75.00
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 Penn Senator 6 0 114h fishing reel US $45.00
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 PENN 112H SPECIAL SENATOR 3 0 HIGH SPEED SALTWATER FISHING REEL US $24.99
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 Shimano TLD 50A 2 Speed Lever Drag Trolling Reel TLD 50IIA $399 Retail NEW US $309.95
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 Verne Bracket60 Baitcasting Fishing Reel Trolling Catfish 3BB US $19.49
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 PENN FIERCE FRC6000 Fishing Spinning Reel FREE USA SHIPPING US $58.89
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 PENN FIERCE FRC4000 Fishing Spinning Reel FREE USA SHIPPING US $50.34
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 Newell 440 5 Vintage Graphite Fishing Reel US $26.00 |
 Penn International V Two Speed 30 VSW Reel 30VSW US $424.98
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 DAIWA SALTIST BLACK GOLD CONVERNTIONAL REEL STTBG30H US $164.99
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 US Made Penn 330 GTi EX w New Line New Handle New Drags Return Warranty US $23.00
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 US Made Penn Long Beach 67 EX w Spectra New Drags New Gears Return Warranty US $50.00
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 PENN BATTLE BTL6000 Fishing Spinning Reel FREE USA SHIPPING US $91.19
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 Shimano TLD 25 Lever Drag Reel New TLD 25 GRatio 361 US $35.00
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 Penn 545 Reel US $71.00
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 Penn 309 Red Side Plates Levelwind Casting Fishing Reel Made in USA NICE US $60.99
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 SHIMANO TLD 25 FISHING REEL LEVER DRAG FOR LIVE BAITCASTING LIGHT TROLLING US $49.99
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 VINTAGE PENN 250 SURFMASTER REEL AND OLD GREEN BOX US $9.99
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 OKUMA KOMODO kdr 273v US $144.44
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 Shimano Socorro SOC10000F Reel US $69.99
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 Penn Squall 12 Saltwater Conventional Fishing Reel NEW US $149.95
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 Penn Squall Lever Drag Conventional Reel SQL50LD FREE SHIPPING US $149.49
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Andrew Martinsen on Setting The Hook
Many an angler has lost a hooked fish. Nobody really talks about it but it happens to anyone who has been fishing long enough. Most weren't even aware that there was a fish there in the first place. Usually the cause is that the angler simply didn't react fast enough. Setting the hook is a skill that every angler needs to master before they achieve success.
The basic set is straight forward and will work well with most species. There are some variations on timing and intensity between species. Bait presentation has an influence as well. Once an angler gets the basic set they can then make modifications as needed.
The setting stance works best when anglers that are shore fishing or anchored. The angler should be stable with the feet a shoulder's width apart with the knees slightly bent. If an angler is not in a stable enough position, they can throw themselves off and into an unexpected dip.
A stable stance also ensures that the angler can exert the proper force to set the hook. While the upper body should be relaxed, elbows need to stay close to the upper body. Elbows that are sticking out result in a loss of power and leverage. The arms end up moving more than the rod does.
Once an angler feels a change in the line, they should tighten up any slack and point the rod toward the target fish. The angler should be able to feel the weight of the fish on the line. Next, quickly snap the rod up and over the shoulders. Remember to keep elbows in and use the forearms for this action.
Once the set is made, the angler needs to maintain the pressure to drive the hook deeper. This can be done by cranking the reel a few turns. The initial set isn't always enough when fishing for toothy fish or in vegetation. The intensity of the set will vary from species to species. Crappies need a much gentler touch than the harder mouthed walleye.
Timing is important no matter what type of presentation an angler is using. Setting too quickly can result in loosing a fish that hasn't gotten a good grip yet. Waiting too long can result in the fish expelling the bait before the hook is set. If the fish are hitting the bait hard, set the hook hard. If the fish are taking their sweet time, the angler is better off waiting until they feel the fish's weight. Natural bait presentations should be set immediately to avoid sinking the hook in the gut.
Of course these guidelines don't always work. Sometimes fish are hard to detect on the end of the line. To combat this, keep slack out of the line. Anglers should watch their line for any change at all. When in doubt, the best bet is to set the hook anyway.
Trolling is a popular presentation form especially if walleye are the game of the day. Anglers haven't come to a consensus yet whether setting the hook while trolling is necessary. Anglers that troll at higher speeds with the reel drag set tight normally set the hook with just the momentum of the boat.
If an angler is slow trolling with a loose drag, then they should plan on setting the hook themselves. The hook should be set before the boat is stopped. This will help keep pressure on the line and fish.
Drifting is another popular presentation. Drifting lends itself well to low key fish that aren't aggressive biters. To know when to set the hook, anglers need to watch their line carefully. Lines will leave a wake as they float a long. If the line starts swaying back and forth, there may be a fish toying with the bait.
With drifting, anglers need to rely on the feel of the line. There is a difference between how a snag and a slow-bite fish feels. It can be subtle and will take the angler time to learn how to identify it. Anytime the line slows speed or hesitates, the angler should set the hook. The odds are favorable something is nibbling on their offering.
Learning to set the hook is a fundamental skill that anglers need to master. There are as many fish lost with a slow set as there are with an overly aggressive one. Learning when to set the hook will fill the boat with more fish and less "the one that got away" stories.
Take care,
Andrew Martinsen
About the Author
Andrew Martinsen is the creator of fishing sites such as Walleye Fishing Secrets and Fishing Inner Circle, among others. He is a fishing fanatic, having started fishing as a kid and never looking back since.