To rig a trout trolling rod, pass the main line through a bead, tie a bead chain trolling swivel with a Palomar knot, and add a cross lock snap for fast leader changes. The bead marks your line to leader junction and keeps the swivel out of the rod tip. Rig a leadcore rod like Cal's Leadcore Trolling Rod exactly the same as a downrigger rod. Use rubber bobber stops to space a Trigger Disc off the bait, about an inch for neutral action and a quarter inch for more.
How do I rig a trout trolling rod?
Pass your main line through a bead, then tie a bead chain trolling swivel on with a Palomar knot. If the swivel has no cross lock snap, add one so you can change leaders and lures fast. Then clip on your leader. Cal rigs a leadcore rod and a downrigger rod identically. A Trolling Rod Rigging Kit holds the beads and swivels.
Why is the bead important on a trolling rod?
The bead does two jobs. It marks the line to leader junction so the person on the net can track a fish in low light or glare and steer it away from the engine. It also stops you from accidentally reeling the bead chain swivel into the rod tip, which can snap your line when a big fish makes a run.
Why use a bead chain trolling swivel?
A bead chain trolling swivel prevents line twist from the bait or dodger from transmitting up to your main line. Spinning lures and swinging attractors put a lot of rotation into the leader, and without a quality swivel that twist works back into your main line and causes tangles and weakened line.
What kind of bobber stop should I use for trolling?
Use the rubber bobber stops, not the string type. The string version is for spinning gear and slip bobbers so the stop passes through the guides on a cast. For rigging trolling bait, buy the package with a small plastic button and several rubber stops threaded on a wire, sold under brands like Eagle Claw.
How do I put a bobber stop on my line?
Take the wire that the rubber stops come on and pass your line through the small loop at the end of the wire. Keep the line through that loop, then pull the bobber stop off the wire and onto your line. Now it sits on your line and you can slide it up and down to position your action disc.
How do I use a bobber stop to tune bait action?
The bobber stop spaces the action disc off the bait, which controls how hard it works. Cal keeps the disc about an inch off the nose for neutral action, slides it to a quarter inch for more action, or moves it forward for less. It works with a Trix Worm, Trix Minnow, or a junior trolling fly.
Do I rig a leadcore and downrigger rod the same way?
Yes. Cal stresses that the terminal rigging is identical whether it is a leadcore rod or a downrigger rod. Main line through a bead, bead chain trolling swivel on a Palomar knot, a snap, then your leader. The only difference is how the line gets down to depth, not how you build the business end.
Watch the technique
Rigging a trout trolling rod FAQ
There is a string version for spinning gear and slip bobbers that passes gently through the guides, and a rubber version for rigging bait. Cal uses the rubber stops, which come on a wire with a small plastic button, for all his trolling work.
About an inch off the nose gives neutral action. Slide the bobber stop to bring the disc within a quarter inch for more action, or move it forward for less. The bobber stop lets you dial it in on the water.
Cal runs the bobber stop and action disc combination with Trix Worms, Trix Minnows, and junior trolling flies. The disc imparts the wiggle and the bobber stop sets how close it rides to the bait.
A cross lock snap on the bead chain swivel lets you change leaders, lures, and dodgers quickly without retying. Cal adds one whenever the swivel does not already have it.
Yes. The bead marks the line to leader junction so you can track and steer a fish to the net, and it keeps the bead chain swivel from jamming into the rod tip on a hard running fish.
Cal keeps a ton of rubber bobber stops in the boat and includes them in his kits. They are cheap and do a big job, so he recommends every troller carry a supply.
