The Art of Trolling

A Complete Guide to Freshwater Methods and Tackle

by Ken Schultz

Published by Ragged Mountain Press, Camden, Maine, U.S.A., First published 1987 – ISBN 0-07 057235-6. Size: 230mm x 185mm. 131pp total. Soft cover.

This American book is packed full of ideas to improve your catch rate when trolling for freshwater species. Of particular interest to New Zealand anglers are the sections on trolling for trout and landlocked salmon. You won’t find any bass, muskellunge or walleyes in New Zealand, of course, so you might want to skip these chapters. There is still plenty that is relevant to New Zealand such as choosing and using downriggers, flatlines, boat speed, sonar and GPS, trolling aids and an extensive look at lures.

There is plenty of very useful detailed information on setting up your boat for trolling.There are an amazing array of devices available to the modern angler when lake trolling that would leave “old-timers” scratching their heads in wonder. This book looks at many of these items such a temperature gauges, trolling plates, propeller guards, steering devices, downriggers, sonar, electric motors and an amazing assortment of other electronics.

The book covers a host of other interesting tips for trollers that you have probably never even thought of such as non-motor trolling, trolling in rivers, trolling sinkers, weighted lines, lure speeds and colour, water temperature and so on.

Of particular interest is the extensive information and discussion on line length, line diameter, boat speed and knowing just how deep your lure is actually diving.

After you have read The Art of Trolling you will be very keen to get out on the water and put some of your considerable new-found knowledge into practice. This book will definitely see you hook more fish when lake trolling for trout in New Zealand! – Highly recommended – Allan Burgess