Fishing QuestionsCategory: Downrigger FAQCan you troll without a downrigger?
Ulinide R asked 2 years ago
How fast can you troll with a downrigger?

6 Answers
Alex – ProFisherman Staff answered 2 years ago
While trolling with a downrigger certainly helps to keep your bait in the strike zone longer, it’s not absolutely necessary. In fact, experienced trollers can do just fine without one. If you’re using live bait, you’ll want to use a heavier weight (between 1 and 2 ounces) so that the bait stays near the bottom.

You can also try using a spinner or a plug as your trolling lure, which will help you cover more ground and attract more fish. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to troll like a pro without ever using a downrigger!

Carlos answered 2 years ago
Yes, trolling can be done without a downrigger, but it is not as effective. A downrigger helps to keep your bait or lure in the target area by providing a steady pull on the line. This decreases the amount of time it takes to bring in your catch and also gives you more control over the depth at which your bait or lure is fishing.

There are some trolling techniques that can be used without a downrigger, but they are not as reliable and often result in missed opportunities. If you are just starting out fishing, I would recommend using a downrigger to increase your chances of success.

Martin Staff answered 2 years ago
Yes, trolling without a downrigger is possible, but it can be more difficult. A downrigger helps to keep your bait or lure in the strike zone by using a weight to pull the line and bait or lure deeper into the water. If you’re not using a downrigger, you’ll need to use heavier weights to get your bait or lure deep enough and this can lead to more missed strikes.

Bernard answered 2 years ago
Yes, you can troll without a downrigger. However, doing so significantly increases the difficulty of the task. A downrigger provides a troll with several distinct advantages.

First, it allows the troll to maintain a much more consistent depth throughout the waters being fished. This is important because it ensures that the lure being used stays in the optimum strike zone for longer periods of time.

Second, a downrigger also allows for greater speed and control when trolling. This again allows the angler to keep the lure in the ideal strike zone for as long as possible.

Finally, a downrigger also makes it easier to fight fish once they are hooked. This is because the downrigger provides an anchor point against which the fish can be fought. Overall, while it is possible to troll without a downrigger, doing so significantly decreases the chances of success.

David answered 2 years ago
There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on a number of factors, including what kind of fish you’re targeting, the type of water you’re fishing in, and the size and weight of your lure. In general, though, you can troll without a downrigger by using a heavier lure or by fishing in deeper water.

If you’re fishing for smaller fish, such as panfish or trout, in shallow water (less than 15 feet deep), you may be able to get by without a downrigger. However, if you’re targeting larger fish like bass or walleye in deeper water (20 feet or more), you’ll likely need a downrigger to get your lure down to where the fish are.

Wilson answered 2 years ago
In short, yes. You can troll without a downrigger, but it may not be as effective as trolling with one. A downrigger allows you to fish at deeper depths where the fish are often more active and less likely to be spooked by other boats or surface noise.

It also gives you more control over your lure presentation and prevents your lures from getting snagged on bottom structure. So while you can technically troll without a downrigger, using one will undoubtedly increase your chances of success.