How to properly mount your trolling reel on your rod?
Trolling rods have the particularity of having the rings on the top of the rod. The reel is then placed on the top on the same side as the rings. You just have to screw the reel on the rod.
Once the reel is mounted, the crank is on the right side, which gives you more power to bring in big fish, but there are also reels with the crank on the left.
Star brakes for coastal fisheries
There are 2 types of trolling reels that differ in their brake system. Star brakes, for inshore trollers, for small to medium sized fish and lever brakes for larger fish and offshore trollers.
On this type of reel with star drag, the drag is adjusted by means of the fighting star. To tighten the brake, simply turn the star clockwise and loosen it by turning counterclockwise.
When fishing, to move the lure away from the boat, engage the reel's clutch and gradually release the clutch brake. The lure will naturally move away from the boat and once it has reached the desired distance, tighten the brake to prevent the line from getting tangled up when a fish leaves.
To warn the fisherman of the departure of a fish, you can activate the clicker which will emit a sound to warn that a fish has taken the bait. At this point, you just turn the crank and the clutch system engages and the combat brake becomes useful again.
During the fight, it is advisable to position the clicker in the off position to avoid premature wear.
Lever brakes for offshore fishing
On this type of lever brake reel, the setting is completely different. The brake allows to have 3 predefined settings. The complete disengagement of the brake which allows to free the lure from the boat, an intermediate position with a safety which is set at half maximum power and a maximum brake for the fight of very big fish.
To adjust the brake, you must first position yourself in the maximum disengagement position and then progressively activate and tighten the presetting knob. Then, we come to check in intermediate position if the brake is adjusted to the power that we wish. If the brake is adjusted too much or too little, we return to the disengaged position and tighten or loosen the presetting knob. This allows you to have a completely free brake in the disengaged position and the brake in the maximum position.
There is the same cliker system on these brakes as on the star brakes, however, there is no wire guide to avoid weakness when fighting very big fish. One will thus come to regulate the wire and to position it thanks to its left thumb.
When you are trolling, remember to position your drag just past the disengage position which is after the little metal click. This will allow the fish to release the line easily.
All you have to do to hook a fish is to put the drag back on in the fighting position and make contact with the fish.
Choose your wire according to the power
To choose the right wire to mount on your reel, simply follow the power indicated on the reel here 30 Lb s and to match its wire to the power of the reel here 30 Lb s also.
