How to troll a lure
Cover water by moving the bait past the fish. Depth, speed and spacing are the three settings that decide whether it works.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
What this skill is for
Trolling lets you search a large area of open or deep water, holding the bait at a chosen depth for a long stretch. It is the method that finds fish holding off the bottom where nothing else reaches them.
What you need
- A rod and reel with a dependable drag and a line count on the spool.
- Line marked or counted so depth can be repeated.
- Lures that run true at the speed you will be travelling.
- A way to slow or control the boat's pace.
Step by step
- 01
Set the line out
Let line off until the lure reaches the depth where you think fish are holding, counting as you go so you can put it back exactly.
- 02
Match the speed
Every lure has a speed at which it runs best. Slow enough to keep it at depth and running true; fast enough to give it action.
- 03
Spread the baits
Keep lures far enough apart that they do not cross and tangle, and so a single fish is not presented with a clump of line.
- 04
Follow the structure
Track a drop-off, weed edge or shoal rather than crossing open water at random.
- 05
React to the water
If the lure is bumping bottom, shorten line; if nothing is taking, drop it deeper and slow down.
- 06
Fight the fish clear
Bring the boat round so the fish is ahead of you and the line angle is favourable, then lift it net-side without dragging it over the side.
Where it goes wrong
- Running too fast, which lifts lures out of the strike zone.
- No record of the line length that worked.
- Baits so close together they tangle on a turn.
- Chasing a single fish with the engine rather than keeping the line tight.
- Ignoring a lure that runs crooked — it will not be fished properly.
Related guides
Common questions
What do I need for troll a lure?
A rod and reel with a dependable drag and a line count on the spool., Line marked or counted so depth can be repeated., Lures that run true at the speed you will be travelling., A way to slow or control the boat's pace.. Nothing specialist beyond that — if a step needs something extra it is listed in the guide itself.
What is the most common mistake with troll a lure?
Running too fast, which lifts lures out of the strike zone.
How do I know troll a lure is done correctly?
The lure stays at the depth you set, runs straight without rolling, and the boat's track follows the water you wanted to cover.