Re: fish finder speed sensor
Problem with that theory is that fish typically don't drift in the current. They find an ambush point and hunker down facing into the current and thus the need to know speed over a fixed position.
Drifting down a river or inlet in a 2 kt. current will present the baits to the fish at 2 kts. Your paddle wheel says zero. Likewise, moving up stream at 2 kts against a 2 kt current. Your paddle wheel says 4 kts. The baits will still pass the fish at 2 kts.
For the most part we troll static baits so speed is not an issue other than the day to day preference of the fish. If I am using speed sensitive baits for whatever reason, the best way to pace them is to watch the tip of a rod and the angle of the line coming off the rod.
Currents vary by depth and you can not assume that the surface water (paddle wheel reading)is moving at the same speed as the waters at the depth of the bait. In this case, the only way to make sure your trolling at the correct speed is by observation.
Sounds like most of your trolling is to cover the area close to the bottom. Maybe, that is what the poster is referring to. Don't know. Around here, trolling is usually done for suspended fish, downriggers and side planners, for trout, salmon, walleye, etc, but most of that is in deep lakes, not rivers. When someone mentions trolling, this is what I assume, for the most part.
Myself, I troll sometimes, but not with the equipment above and not allot. Most of the time, it is on the bottom (mostly irregular), or to stay just above the weeds. Speed up or slow down to just make or just miss contact. I'll use both speeds for referance, and possible compare to a different bait.
Agree on the rod bend and angle, which comes in time with consistantly using same rod, line, line out, and lures.
