What Is the Best Trolling Speed for Walleye?


Start by definition, trolling is running a baited rig pulled by a moving boat, starting slow and accelerating until it grabs the fish. Walleye is a species of fish. The trolling speed of walleye ranges from 0.5 up to 3.5 mph, which depends mainly on two factors like season and depth of the water. 

Good trolling speeds for walleye are typically between .5 and 3.5 miles per hour. The optimal trolling speed will increase as the water temperature rises, so trolling speeds should be higher in the summer and lower in the winter. A similar tolling range exists for many other common fish species.

First, we will review how trolling speed for walleye is affected by various reasons such as spring, summer, and fall; during spring speed of the walleye range from 0.5 mph up to 1 mph. The temperature of the water controls the rate of walleye, and walleye are sluggish in cold water. During the spring season, the temperature ranges from 45o F up to 60o F.

The trolling speed for walleye increases from 0.5 and up to 1 mph as the water temperature rises. During the fall, the water temperature starts to rise, and water becomes cool. In this period, the speed of the walleye range from 1.3 mph up to 1.8 mph. The fall season is the period for transition from spring to summer. During the summer season, the speed of the walleye increase from 1.8 mph up to 3.5 mph as the temperature rise.

The water temperature during the summer season ranges from 60 degrees Fahrenheit up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. As the temperature rises, the trolling speed of the walleye increases. The depth of the water is relative because it depends on the lake or ocean. Walleye always like where the water is cool. Where water is cool, the walleye’s trolling speed will be higher compared with other temperature conditions.

What is a good trolling speed for walleye?

The good trolling speed for the walleye is during the summer season when the water is cooler, and the trolling rate for the walleye range from 1.8 mph up to 2.5 mph. Without using the range, the best trolling speed is 2.0 mph. This is the best speed because the walleye is more aggressive during the summer than in the spring season when it is cold. Because walleye are lethargic in cold water, the cold season won’t be the best time to measure the trolling speed of the walleye. So the water temperature is the key factor when measuring the best trolling speed for walleye.

How fast do you troll spinners for walleye?

Troll spinners are mainly used on the non-weighted item that require weight along the line to get down to the preferred depth. It is used in trolling sinker that is attached to the mainline. First, I would determine the depth of the water. If the water depth is shallow, I will attach 30 to a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader. And if the water depth is good enough, I would attach 50 to 60-pound fluorocarbon leader to the end of the mainline. Some of the factors that would motivate to use troll spinner for walleye are; 

  • Spinnerbait can be modified for different sizes and colors to mimic other types of food.
  • Spinner work well in tidewater and in calm water.
  • Spinner can be reeled very fast and can work with raising and lowering rod tips.
  • With a spinner, there are fewer fish lost

What is the best trolling lure for walleye?

One of the walleye’s best and best-trolling lures is cotton Cordell wally diver, which fishers prove as a tackle box. There are designed in a manner that bait mimics many forage species. The second is Rapala shad rap which is one of the best on the issue of versatility. It is suitable for casting, trolling, and delivering results in areas where the speed of the walleye is fast or slow. It is of good quality, and it is proven to be of great casting and to troll.

The third is Rapala husky jerk which is perfect for casting and trolling at all speeds. The jerk bait is perfect neutral buoyancy that allows it to hang on the water when it is paused. The quality is good and has a rattle chamber. Forth is Calm Drop Tg Jig. This type of lure is denser than lures and is sensitive when it comes to generating more hookups. There are of various color and size. It slices water better than lead lures.

The fifth type of lure is the Johnson thin fisher, which majorizes natural events by mimicking the behavior of struggling fish. It has adjustable retrieval, which makes it easy to change a snap. Also, it has a rattle chamber.

The next type is Berkley’s power bait rib worm which is built with power bait formula. Berkley’s power bait helps more fish to take the bite. Also, it has a ribbed body. Lastly is Storm’s Hot ‘N Tot Mad Flash. It has a variety of innovative fish-catching colors and a realistic look.

Some of the factors that influence Berkley’s power bait selection are the lure’s color and the size and weight of a lure. When your target is walleye and the day is sunny at is appropriate to use bright, vibrant, and flashy colors. When it is cloudy, you need to use dull colors such as black and purple. The right size and weight of the lure are essential when feeding because it tends to pick the correct size when baiting. It is easy to catch the fish when is selecting the right size and weight of the bait.

What is a good speed for trolling?

The excellent speed for trolling depends on several factors, such as the type of the fish, water temperature, and lure choice. I’m going to list some of the best trolling speed for various species, but generally, the trolling speed that range from 1.5 mph up to 2.5 mph is a good speed for trolling for most species. Starting with walleye, the trolling speed range from 0.5 mph up to 3.5 mph, and the best trolling speed is 2.0 mph. Lake trout trolling speed range from 1.0 mph up to 3.0 mph, and the best trolling speed is 1.7 mph.

Brown trout trolling speed range from 0.8 mph up to 2.5 mph, and its best trolling speed is 2.2 mph. Rainbow trout trolling speed ranges from 0.6 mph up to 2.5 mph, and with the best trolling speed of 1.5 mph, many other species follow the same trolling speed range. The trolling speed may change depending on the season, such as spring, winter, and summer. Also, a good trolling speed for all species is the speed that gives lure irresistible action as it swims through the water.

Conclusion

The best tool for measuring trolling speed for all species is using a GPS sensor because it will give you any variation of the rate even if it increments or decrements with 0.1 mph. Water temperature acts as the main factor for speed variation. So the best time or period to measure the trolling speed is when the water is cool, as many species are lethargic with cold water. When selecting a lure, it is advisable to use the right color depending on climate conditions and use the right side of the lure depending on the activity in place.

Nicholas Finn

I've been the captain of a fishing boat for over 20 years, and I created Pirateering to share my knowledge of and interest in seafaring.

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