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TECHNIQUE D STICK BAITS // ALL SEASON

SHORT-LINE TROLLING

The PWC Version // No Planer Boards

>When to use

Trolling without planer boards because you only have one free hand on a jet ski. Works fine for stick baits. Skip spoons (need dipsies) and crawler harnesses (need bottom bouncers) until you've added a second rod holder + a kicker plan.

01Setup

RIG
01
Bait: Husky Jerk #12, Reef Runner Little Ripper, or Bandit 200 series. Stick baits that dive to 12-18 ft on their own.
02
Rod holder: mount a Scotty rod holder on the Fish Pro Trophy's Linq points. Free hand for throttle/steering.
03
Line length: 100-130 ft straight back from rod tip. Count one-Mississippi per ~5 ft as you let line out, or use a line-counter reel.
04
Line type: 10 lb mono is forgiving on hooksets at trolling speed. Avoid braid for trolling unless you want to feel every weed.

02Speed & Steering

CONTROL
01
Speed: 1.5 mph by GPS in cool water (54°F). Walleye don't chase when cold. Up to 1.8 mph by late June, 2.0+ in July.
02
Pattern: long S-curves along the reef contour. Outside-turn bait speeds up (often triggers); inside-turn slows down.
03
Throttle finesse: jet skis don't troll well at very low speeds — the pump cavitates. Find the sweet spot just above idle that holds 1.5 mph on the GPS.

03The Strike

RECOGNITION + FIGHT
01
Rod loads HARD. A trolling strike at speed is unmistakable — rod doubles over.
02
Hook set: usually self-sets at 1.5 mph. Don't add a hookset; just keep reeling.
03
Boat handling: pull throttle back to idle, let the boat coast. Stand up to fight if you can. Net low.
MistakeTrolling at 2+ mph in cool water. Cold walleye won't catch the bait. 1.5 mph is the magic number until water hits the low 60s.

04Further Reading