Yes, you can troll for trout with a spinning rod, and it shines from a kayak. Rig a small rust colored trolling fly behind a Trigger Disc pegged with a bobber stop about an inch ahead, with a light weight. Instead of feeding line and steering straight, cast the spinning rig out 40 to 60 feet and let it swing back into your spread. No tangles, no fighting the kayak. At Eagle Lake that setup landed average 18 inch rainbows.
Can you troll for trout with a spinning rod?
Yes. It is not the everyday choice, but from a kayak a spinning rod is ideal. Rather than feed line out and keep the kayak straight, you cast the rig out and let it fish, which is a lot simpler in a small boat.
How do you rig a spinning rod for trolling?
Run a small rust colored trolling fly behind a wiggle disc, a Trigger Disc, pegged with a bobber stop about an inch in front of the fly. Use a light weight, lighter than the roughly half ounce on the conventional rod. This is a slow troll.
How far back should the spinning line be?
Cast it out about 40 feet, then let it out to around 50 to 60 feet back. On the kayak the other conventional line runs longer, around 90 feet, so the two lines fish at different distances.
Why troll with spinning gear from a kayak?
You do not have to keep the kayak running straight or feed line and risk tangles. Cast the rig out and it swings right back into the spread on its own. Once it is in the holder, check the drag.
What rod works for spinning-rod trolling?
A light or ultralight spinning rod. At Eagle Lake an ultralight got buried to the handle on average 18 inch, 2.75 pound rainbows, so it more than handles the fight while keeping the presentation fun.
Where does this technique shine?
Kayak trolling on trout lakes like Eagle Lake, where you want a second line working without steering a perfectly straight course. It keeps your spread clean while you paddle and position.
Watch the technique
Trolling for trout with a spinning rod FAQ
Yes, especially from a kayak. Casting the rig out fishes a clean line without keeping the boat straight.
A small trolling fly behind a wiggle disc pegged with a bobber stop about an inch ahead, with a light weight.
A light weight, lighter than the roughly half ounce used on the conventional downrigger-style rod.
Around 50 to 60 feet on the spinning rod. The conventional line runs longer, near 90 feet.
No. An ultralight spinning rod handled average 18 inch Eagle Lake rainbows buried to the handle.
It avoids tangles and the need to steer straight. The cast rig swings back into the spread on its own.
