Among basic styles of fishing, trolling is probably the most gear-intensive. Efficiently and effectively dragging multiple lures and/or baits behind a moving boat in a dynamic environment is inherently more complicated than fishing from an anchored or drifting boat. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective) there are thousands of nifty accessories out there to make trolling easier and more productive. Here are a few top picks from our curated selection of innovative parts and products.
2-rod Rod Riggers
So-called rod-riggers are a great way to spread trolling lines farther outboard on a boat without outriggers. These devices drop into conventional flush-mount gunwale rod holders and allow rods to be pointed outboard, away from the boat. They’re great, but their main drawback is that you have to trade an aft-facing rod holder for an outboard rod holder.
Our two-rod rod-rigger, on the other hand, converts a single gunwale rod holder into both an aft-facing and an outboard rod holder, allowing you to troll a four-line spread even from a boat with just two cockpit rod holders.
SeaSucker Flat Line Release Clips
Flat line release clips function basically like outrigger clips but are normally attached to the hull to keep trolling lines low. The line runs from the rod tip through the clip and then aft to the lure. When a fish bites, the clip releases. Keeping lines low to the water can make many trolling lures swim better and also helps prevent fouled lines on windy days. Additionally, for slow trolling with live baits, the slack in the line after the clip releases gives the fish extra time to eat the bait.
The great thing about these SeaSucker-mounted clips is that you can put them wherever you need them — provided there’s a flat surface — and then remove and stow them when they aren’t needed. As an added bonus, they can also be used to attach fenders.
Cooler Bait Tray Set
Rigged ballyhoo and similar trolling baits require special handling and storage. Our bait tray set makes it easy with a nested pair of powder-coated aluminum trays designed to fit perfectly into a 65-quart rotomolded cooler such as Yeti or Engel.
Both trays feature drainage holes to help keep baits fresh, while a removable Starboard lid serves as a cutting board and rigging table.
Riggies Outrigger Tensioners
Typically, outrigger halyards are attached to the gunwale with a bungee cord, which keeps them under some tension and accommodates small changes in length. The problem is that bungees deteriorate from use and UV exposure, so the shock cords need to be replaced fairly frequently. The adjustability of bungee cords is also fairly limited.
Patented Riggies adjustable outrigger shock cords solve both of those problems. Using a proprietary, hardware-free adjustment mechanism, they can be adjusted from 7” to 22” in length. And they’re made with UV-resistant polyester braided rope and grade 316 stainless steel spring clips on each end.
Trolling Lure Bucket Insert
Like rigged trolling baits, large trolling lures are notoriously difficult to store. Hanging bags, tubes, and cloth bundles like a chef’s knife roll are among the many solutions currently on the market. All have their own strengths and weaknesses. For ease of use while on the water, it’s hard to beat an insert that drops into a standard 2.5- to 5-gallon bucket. Lures are fully visible and easy to grab.
Boat Outfitters offers two different inserts. The standard lure insert features (19) 30mm cylinders for small trolling lures, (2) 50mm cylinders for medium lures Rapala X-Rap Mag 40s, and (3) 80mm cylinders for large lures like Nomads.The large lure insert has (9) 50mm cylinders and (2) 80mm cylinders.
Big Game Leashes
In the simplest form, a rod leash can be nothing more than a short length of rope tied or clipped between a trolling rod and a cleat, railing, or other fixed point on the boat. It’s basically a cheap insurance policy against watching $1,000 worth of rod and reel get yanked or dropped over the side of the boat.
But the basic rod leash does have its drawbacks. If a rod leash is long enough to allow an angler to pull the rod out of the rod holder and fight a fish without detaching the rod, it’s also long enough to get in the way. And if it’s short enough not to get in the way, then you have to take them time to detach it before you can start fighting a fish.
The Big Game Leash solves that problem. It’s a retractable 9-foot leash that stays tight to prevent tangles yet also allows anglers to easily move the rod around the cockpit. At a couple hundred bucks each, these leashes aren’t for everybody, but if you’re serious about big game trolling (or deep dropping or daytime swordfishing) they’re more than worth the investment.
Rigging Tray
Rigging trolling lures typically requires leader, crimps, thimbles, swivels, beads, hooks, pliers, crimpers — and that’s just the basics. Having all of your supplies and tools organized and readily accessible can make a tedious and time-consuming process significantly smoother.
To that end, we designed a purpose-built portable rigging station for trolling lures that can be used either on the boat or off. Nine individual bins keep components at your fingertips, while trays on both sides hold tools.
A closed cell foam rigging surface helps keep things in place, which recesses in the corners keep sinkers and other components from rolling around. A removable rack holds finished rigs, and two integrated tackle trays accommodate extra rigging.
Leader Mate Leader Tamer
Trolling leaders longer than the rod are always a hassle when moving between spots. Do you take your lure off and coil your leader for the run, then reattach it to start fishing again? Or do you hang your hook on a reel lug and let your leader blow in the wind? Neither is ideal.
The deceptively simple Leader Mate is one of those things that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. It’s basically just a piece of foam that slips over your rod above the grip and provides a convenient place to wrap your leader.
Additionally, several differently-sized slots secure weights, planers, etc. Hooks can be simply poked into the foam.
Transom Rigging Table
Not strictly for trolling, the Universal Transom Mount Rigging Table is nonetheless an exceptionally valuable functional upgrade, providing a convenient surface for rigging, bait prep and more right in the middle of the action.