Steven James Rusteberg, Muskie Fishing, Look at Speedtrolling


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Articles : A Beginners Look at Speedtrolling

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A Need For Speed:
A Beginners Look At Speed Trolling
By: Steven James Rusteberg

Speed Trolling? What exactly does that mean? Can I really catch fish trolling at speeds in excess of three, five, or even eight miles an hour? Yes you can.

This year was a pinnacle year in my Muskie fishing knowledge. I too, am not necessarily an advocate of trolling, but recently learned there is much more to it than just dragging a line and lure behind the boat. In years past I trolled only when I was no longer catching fish casting on the weedline. I trolled at slow speeds, rarely exceeding two miles an hour, especially during the cold water period. Probably much like you troll, I mean we have all been taught the cooler the water the slower we must go.

Guess what? We all are wrong! I was introduced to a trolling technique this year that just blew away any theory I had ever had on just how fast we should all be trolling. Can Muskie hit a lure that is being trolling behind the boat at eight miles an hour? The answer is more often than not. As much as I write to try to convince you of this, the more you will need to see this for yourself. If someone where to write an article like this before actually saw this with my own eyes I would have been skeptical too. It works, and it works better than trolling at slower speeds.

WHY IS SPEED TROLLING MORE EFFECTIVE AT CATCHING FISH?
The reason speed trolling is so effective is simply the fact that you are covering an incredible amount of water in a shorter period of time. This is probably the biggest reason it is so effective, but not the only one. Also, when traveling at excessive speeds a fish doesn’t have time to think, just react. This reaction is probably an instinctive measure built into the fish at birth. The bottom line is lunch or be lunched! A fish will strike in fear, and/or to protect itself from harm. Whichever the reason, you will find that the fish will strike a lure when it doesn’t have time to examine it. This is especially true on heavily fished waters. Most of the time this reaction will take place regardless of the water temperature. (Speeds of four miles an hour will work in 38 degree water, and be high percentage.)

IMAGINE THIS:
What really turned the tables on my opinion on this subject, was an experience that happen a couple months ago. We were working suspended bait fish school more than sixty or so feet of water. Suddenly a rod went off, the drag screamed, and the rod double over. In a matter of two seconds the fish was off and the rod went limp, yet not more than a second later the same fish hit the lure again. Remember this whole amazing thing happened at about eight and some half miles an hour. This fish was at least swimming that fast, if not faster in order to hit the lure again that he had lost seconds before. It amazed me, and made me reevaluate my thoughts on how they move, feed, and an inevitable stalk.

WHAT DO I NEED?
It doesn’t cost a million dollars in new equipment and lures to re-outfit your tackle in order to use this technique. However, a few basic necessities are needed to make your trip a hazel fee, enjoyable experience. First thing I would advise you to get is a quality rod holder outfit. Most experienced speed trollers are using a holder called a Down-Eastern. This holder is made of composite metal, and can effectively and efficiently hold your rod at excessive speeds. A plastic or graphite composite will simply not hold up to a strike of a Muskie at excessive speed.
Next thing to get is a heavy rod. When I mean heavy, I mean heavy! We have been using the Ugly Stick 1160 rod. This has been rated from forty to a sixty-pound test. This particular rod is a fiberglass/graphite composite. The more you stay away from graphite in this situation, the better off you will be due to it being brittle in nature. Remember you will be trolling at speeds up to eight miles an hour and anything less than a shark rod simply won’t do. The Muskie lure alone has quite a pull at an excessive speed. AVERAGE COST OF THIS TYPE OF ROD $60 - $80.

Reels for the purpose of speed trolling are almost universal, as long as it can hold 150 yards of line. With synthetic “SUPER LINES,” this has made the choice easier due their high strength and low diameter. Almost any reel will due with a good drag. I am personally using the Diwa.
47LC line counter reel so that I know exactly how much line I have out, and how deep my lure is running. Line is of your choice as long as it exceeds a 27lb test. This is light for speed trolling, but does the job. A better recommendation would be 36lb or 45lb Muskie Master by Courtland. The extra heavy lines are necessary for the shock of the fish hitting at these high speeds.

Lures that we are using for speed trolling include Depth Raiders, Believers, Swim Whizz, and Grandma Baits. All will track true at eight miles an hour with a little tunning. (I.e., bending of the eyelets).

READY TO GO?
I recommend to a first time speed troller that he start trolling at slower speeds of three or four just to make sure that the lures being trolling are running true. It is important to get used to this slower speed of speed trolling before progressing to higher more excessive speeds. Weights may be used to keep these lures tracking true, and for use of keeping them from coming to the surface in a roll. Rubber core sinkers, or banana weights are preferable.
Run a propwash rod to increase your odds at a fish. Yes,
Muskie can, and will hit the propwash rod even to speeds in excess of six miles an hour. Again, you won’t believe it until you see it.

CONCLUSION:
This technique has revolutionalized my way of trolling. It is not unusual for me to cover eighty to one-hundred miles in a full day of fishing. Imagine how many Muskie are seeing my lure on any one particular day. Three, four, and even five fish days are common using this technique even on the worst of fishing days. Big fish, I’m talking forty, fifty, and even fish well in excess of fifty inches have been, and continue to be, caught using this method. Anglers on Lake St.Clair have been using this technique for thirty or more years and it has still not caught on in our area. Look for speed trolling to be the newest, and most common technique used on local waters in the future. It has put several fish in my boat, and I know it can do the same for you! I’ll never troll at under three miles an hour again!

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