River Trolling

[KSanford33]

I was almost hesitant to ask this because I feel I should know the answer, but the only stupid question is the one you don't ask, so here goes:

 

Is it better to troll with the current or against the current?

 

Inevitably I'll be doing both, since I have to get back to my vehicle somehow, but I wanted to find out if a lure swimming either with or against the current would look unnatural.

[TnRiver46]

Both! Got two monster smallies back to back trolling downstream 3 mph in December once, water temp 49 .

 

upstream is better but downstream can be good sometimes 

[Spankey]

I’m trolling and drifting the whole time out on the river. Everyone’s current situation is different. I don’t think there is much of an advantage one way or another in my situation. Lure action can be effected. Some baits I prefer to throw them upstream. The river has a lot of current break situations. 

[roadwarrior]

Downstream always. 

[Tennessee Boy]

Are you asking about using the trolling motor to move you as you fish or are you talking about using the outboard to troll a lure behind the boat?

[Dogface]

26 minutes ago, Spankey said:

Everyone’s current situation is different. 

 

I usually troll upstream but every river and section of river is different so I adapt to the section of river I'm fishing. 

[KSanford33]

22 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Are you asking about using the trolling motor to move you as you fish or are you talking about using the outboard to troll a lure behind the boat?

Trolling a lure behind the boat.

[Finessegenics]

I always thought going with the current was more natural since the predators are usually set up with their nose in the current, so a bait coming towards them looks more natural. It probably doesn’t really matter, try both ways! 
 

For rivers I’m more of a drifter and there’s only one way you can in that scenario. 

[cyclops2]

i have caught fish coming out of he same big weed from all directions. 

BUUT

 

My weight is selected for down stream trolling. When I go up stream. The lure / bait is much higher above the bottom. 

I have never really counted fish in each direction. Actually I usually RACE upstream. Get in position & do the down stream drift. With & without trolling motor. When they are hungry they bite.

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, KSanford33 said:

I was almost hesitant to ask this because I feel I should know the answer, but the only stupid question is the one you don't ask, so here goes:

 

Is it better to troll with the current or against the current?

 

Inevitably I'll be doing both, since I have to get back to my vehicle somehow, but I wanted to find out if a lure swimming either with or against the current would look unnatural.

Not a dumb question at all (there is such a thing, unlike most people think)

 

A book could be written on the subject, in fact many have been. 

When trolling with the current, your speed (in relation to the water not over ground) has to increased, conversely, when trolling against the current, your speed needs to be reduced. There are exceptions and caveats, and it is often better to troll at an angle to the current, and the deciding factor should be the lure(s) getting to where the fish are, and maintaining their action, this is where lure selection, and/or added trolling weight comes into play. Keep in mind that some lures are more speed sensitive than others, and that some work better faster or slower. An old trick is to keep a rod to dip a lure boat side to test speed by checking the action. 

[KSanford33]

14 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Not a dumb question at all (there is such a thing, unlike most people think)

 

A book could be written on the subject, in fact many have been. 

When trolling with the current, your speed (in relation to the water not over ground) has to increased, conversely, when trolling against the current, your speed needs to be reduced. There are exceptions and caveats, and it is often better to troll at an angle to the current, and the deciding factor should be the lure(s) getting to where the fish are, and maintaining their action, this is where lure selection, and/or added trolling weight comes into play. Keep in mind that some lures are more speed sensitive than others, and that some work better faster or slower. An old trick is to keep a rod to dip a lure boat side to test speed by checking the action. 

Thanks Deleted, this is what I've been doing previously. I almost always troll with at least one crankbait, so like you said, with the current I needed to go a little faster or else the crankbait wouldn't wobble much, and against the current I needed to slow down because it would wobble like its life depended on it. I'm glad to find out I was actually doing it correctly; I just used common sense.