How do I figure out trolling depth?

[Geezle]

Simple question I hope.

I've got a trolling rod, linecounter reel and leadcore line. Going to be going for lakers on the weekend. Going simple this time around and using a weight to get me down while trolling. But how does one figure out the depth they're trolling at??

It it just a matter of having the line at a 45 degree angle to the water, and then halving the distance of line I have out??

[Kim473]

I think it mat be a hit and miss kinda thing, add weight till you start catching. I know I have a fat minnow deep diving rapela that goes down about 14 feet trolling about 2 mph because at 13 ft you could feel it hit the bottom and 14 or 15 ft you can't. You could try in say 20 ft with some wieght and keep adding wieght till you hit bottom at 20 ft then add some more what you think may drop it another 40 or so ft. it will depend on how fast you troll too.

[horsetrader]

I thought there was a chart that gave a rough idea using weight ,length of line and trolling speed but I can't seem to find it.

[tacklerunner]

Here's the chart for you guys. General rule 30 degrees, 2 x amount of line:

http://www.anglerinnovations.com/pag...ollldepth.aspx

[Teamprotz]

Precision trolling book says leadcore is very speed dependant. 100ft back at 1-1.5mph will give you 23ft of depth with a shallow running crank. By adding 1oz 20ft up the line ( not sure if this applies to leadcore ) it will increase lure depth by 33 percent. Pretty vague , but it might help.

[mudbug]

If your hook is snagging the bottom then your trolling too deep ;o)

Sorry but it had to be said

[Geezle]

Originally Posted by mudbug

If your hook is snagging the bottom then your trolling too deep ;o)

Sorry but it had to be said

Fair enough!

Tough to hit bottom when you're trolling in 200+ feet of water though!

Fortunately Willowtrail is hooking me up with his downrigger, so I don't have to do all the math to figure out where I'm at now!

[chubbdarter]

Gee they sell a depth gauge you send down with your set up and retreive the depth info.....tedious but its a method and is pretty accurate according to the fish finder

[Geezle]

Originally Posted by chubbdarter

Gee they sell a depth gauge you send down with your set up and retreive the depth info.....tedious but its a method and is pretty accurate according to the fish finder

Wait, so this is like a depth finder that I'd say, send down with my weight, then bring it up and it would tell me how deep it went?

[Chris K]

For your application, you would be better off with Dipsy Divers, Deep 6's or Pink Lady's than leadcore, in my opinion. Still can't beat a downrigger, but it depends on the size of ball you can run with the one you borrowed.

Chris K