Trolling is a fishing method that involves dragging a lure or bait through the water to entice fish to bite; it primarily takes the forms of freshwater pole trolling and saltwater boat trolling.
Freshwater trolling targets species such as crucian carp and emphasizes techniques involving “slow movement, variation, and pauses.” It often employs live bait alongside gear such as long poles with short lines and “star” (bead) floats. Saltwater trolling targets large, migratory surface-dwelling fish like sailfish and tuna; it involves dragging artificial lures behind a moving speedboat and is a staple event in international saltwater fishing competitions.
Anglers sometimes encounter situations where fish refuse the bait, and neither active nor passive bait manipulation works; in such cases, trolling can yield surprisingly effective results.
The method is simple: cast the line so the bait lands about 10 centimeters in front of the baited area (the “swim”). Once the bait hits the bottom, slowly pull the rod backward to drag the bait along the bottom and through the baited area. Fish often strike just as the bait is dragged out of the baited zone. When trolling, three points are crucial: first, move the sinker (lead weight) further up the line to keep it out of the fish’s line of sight; second, do not drag the float entirely underwater, or you will lose visibility of bite signals; and third, ensure the bait does not lift off the bottom-if it rises, the fish will stop biting.
Saltwater trolling specifically refers to the method of catching large predatory fish by dragging artificial lures or live bait along the surface or in the upper-to-mid water column behind a moving speedboat. Primary target species include migratory surface fish such as sailfish, tuna, mahi-mahi (dorado), and salmon. Trolling competitions represent the pinnacle of fishing contests; they typically take place in deep waters, with competitors using artificial lures while aboard speedboats.