[EKNIGHT72]

Just checked the search engine on this site and had some problem finding a good answer..What speed should i troll to be more productive,decided this year to realy give it a shot,but the fish have been few and far between with this method?

Thank you,
Eric

[catfish]

3-4 knots with 3.5 about normal.some days slower. some days alittle faster.

[fordbjr]

1.5 - 3

[Knot Too Fast]

For stipers...slower is better

--Brett

[PRO-LINE GIL]

I stay around 2 knots. That is the slowest my boat will go. GIL

[Dallas Cowboys]

I agree the slower the better. Sometime I troll around 2 or 3 kts and when I turn with the current I drift maybe 2kts back.

[wetboat]

I generally run my boat "in gear". This allows me to go between 1.5 and 2.5 knots depending on the currnet/wind/tide. However, if i take those three contributors out of the troll the boat will run about 2.1-2.2 knots "in gear".

[Marlin Maniac]

I agree with Wetboat. There are some variables to consider when looking at trolling speed. Current and wind affect your speed over ground. A boat trolling 4 knots into a 2 knot current is making 2 knots over ground before considering wave action. Large waves on top of current can bring you to a stop over ground or even move you backwards. Also running with the current and surfing the waves can make your boat (and baits) go much faster than intended. My personal opinion is it's best to troll across the prevailing current and wind, in the troughs of the waves. This does two things. It allows you to better control your speed over ground and presents your baits broadside to the fish, which tend to face into the current. That makes your baits more visable to the fish. So bottom line, my preference is to troll 2 to 3 knots across the current.

[Volunteer]

Concur with above, slower is better. Watch the fleet and especially other boats that are catching fish and match their speed.

[wetboat]

Nice post MM. I do a lot of cross current trolling and have my best success doing so. I never thought of "bait presenation" the way you put it, but it makes sense to me why i have been successful with cross current trolls versus with or against.

[Mega Bite]

I look at the SOG or speed over ground it gives you your true speed from your GPS.The paddle wheel speed on your transducer adds the current speed to your real speed if you are going into the current .When the water gets below the Mid 40 mark I slow the boat down as slow as it will go maybe even bump it in and out.Trolling valves are great to have on inboard shaft driven boats . Over all I would say 1.5 to 3.5 Knots are good for catching Striper.

[Pluto]

I have been having the best luck so far trolling between 2.5 to 3.0 knots cross current. Caught lots of fish but no big ones (>40") yet. Wrong speed? Wrong bait? Wrong location? I don't know but we are at least catchin' fish and having a hell of a good time Thanks to everyone here on VBSF for sharing tips and information!

[My Babby Ruth]

OK I got one for you if a electric TRAIN is going west at 20 mph and you got a 30 mph head wind out of the east witch way is the smoke blowing sorry had to do it

[onemadcooldadlex]

I've been trolling for stripers for just over a year so I'm no expert. Having said that, my brother-in-law has been doing this for 5+ years and he (and his wisecracking crew) vary trolling speed if only to show the fish something a little different. It seems to help alot. On the dozen or so trips I've been on with him we've done well on days when other boats seemed to struggle.

For what it's worth...

G2

[Knot Too Fast]

I've been trolling for stripers for just over a year so I'm no expert. Having said that, my brother-in-law has been doing this for 5+ years and he (and his wisecracking crew) vary trolling speed if only to show the fish something a little different. It seems to help alot. On the dozen or so trips I've been on with him we've done well on days when other boats seemed to struggle.

For what it's worth...

G2

Good point about varying your speed a little. Every time you turn the boat, you are doing the same thing. If you get a hit on the lines that are on the outside of the turn, then you either need to speed up a bit or run your lures a little more shallow. Hits on the inside...slow down a little or go deeper.

--Brett

[jimbob]

OK I got one for you if a electric TRAIN is going west at 20 mph and you got a 30 mph head wind out of the east witch way is the smoke blowing sorry had to do it

South

[Mega Bite]

Picking up speed ,slowing down or going into a turn all help catch fish not just Striper.Today I caught every Striper trolling West crossing an out going tide in a WNW wind.Sometimes speeding up a tad after your first knockdown will get you another bite.Other times after a bite (when the fish are really concentrated in a tight school) stopping will get you several drifter bites at one time.I look for patterns or similarities on each bite and try to repeat what I have been doing that has previously caught fish.

[marshalljr]

OK I got one for you if a electric TRAIN is going west at 20 mph and you got a 30 mph head wind out of the east witch way is the smoke blowing sorry had to do it

Electric train, no smoke....head wind from east, all smoke to west...

[My Babby Ruth]

Electric train, no smoke

[Mega Bite]

The electric Train I had smoked like Bob Marley .