Trolling. Freespool vs In Gear
 

I was taught to troll my live bait in La Jolla in free spool mode. This works because I have a mirage drive kayak and can hold the reel with my hands.

For those who are paddling and therefore have the rod in a rod holder, are you trolling with the reel in gear?

If you are fishing a star drag reel with a hefty greenback on the hook, you may have to put in gear with a little drag pressure. Otherwise the bait could pull your line out.

Lever drag, you want to bump up from free spool to bait.


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panga style, with star drags and greenbacks, I have clicker on in free spool and the line pulled back and under the reel, easy to flip the line, take off clicker and put in gear. :D

Do you have a picture of how you route the line under the reel?

The panga style makes sense.
On my reels with light clickers, I have to keep them in gear with the drag backed off to nothing. Otherwise there's a fairly steady click, click, no boom.
I wouldn't mind seeing a pick.
:D

I always troll in free spool, mirage drive or paddle. Mike

I love it when I have to quote myself

thank you :doh:

One Rod in rod holder in free spool w/clicker, 2nd rod in hand in free spool with thumb pressure.:reel:

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../photo_49_.JPG

Warning! do not put the reel in gear before flipping the line off the back side or the increased drag will cost you the fish.........I have never done this but one of the ol school superstars that I shared this trick with did :D

So that's how its done. Nice. Love this site. Thanks, Iceman.

I have Talica's I plan to use!
FFY

The mono/flouro doesn't get damaged on the plastic when you hook a screamer?


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Could always clip a bit of the tail off to reduce horsepower

Rubber bands work also


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Forgot to mention that it would be hard know how tight to go with the star once you have a fish on :linesnap:

There are special reels that are designed for this use like the Shimano Baitrunner spinning reel that has a light drag that provides only enough resistance to keep line from being fed out and then with a flick of a lever you have the regular drag engaged.

The advantage of the Hobie is that I can troll with my thumb on the spool of a conventional reel and let a halibut for example take the bait or lure and give it time to take it fully before setting the drag.