Trollpro PRO
Great Lakes kayak fishing guide Chris LeMessurier (
wwwkayakfishthegreatlakes.com) spends the spring and fall trolling for trout on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
KAYAK A 14- to 16-foot kayak with a long waterline and a narrow beam will cut through the water and track straight for long days on the troll. I like a kayak with SlideTrax so I can mount my own gear and accessories.
PADDLE A high quality, super-light paddle keeps me trolling for miles without fatigue. I use an Adventure Technology Exodus Superlight paddle with an ergo shaft. The bent shaft keeps my wrists in the correct position to avoid injury.
SEAT A comfortable seat is key to surviving the long hours on the water it takes to chase down lake trout. Trim the seat forward or aft to balance the kayak for the most efficient paddling.
ROD HOLDERS I have a rod holder angled out of each side of the kayak so it stays balanced while I'm trolling. Using a GearTrac, I attach RAM Quick Release Track Adapters to the track. Then a RAM Ball allows me to change the angle of the rod. I use a RAM ROD 2007 rod holder to complete the package. Finding the sweet spot to keep the rod in reach but out of the way of the paddle requires flexible rigging. I can move the rod forward or back on the GearTrac until it hits the perfect place.
KEEP IT LIGHT, TROLL ALL DAY. PHOTOS: CHRIS LEMESSURIER
TACKLE/GEAR Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I like a good ol’ milk crate to carry my tackle boxes and gear. I can arrange rod holders and gear a million ways and it doesn’t rust.
GADGETS A rudder makes it easy to keep the kayak tracking straight with lures pulling from each side. I can set the rudder at an angle to compensate for the drag from the lures.
ELECTRONICS I use a fishfinder/GPS combo to mark fish and structure and track my trolling pattern. Set the fishfinder to downview to see a 3D image of structure below the boat. Switch to traditional view to mark fish arches. The GPS chart accurately depicts the hills and valleys that hold fish.
PFD
When I’m fishing open water, I use a Type III PFD for paddlers. I keep rigging to a minimum, just a pair of pliers on a tether. Nothing to snag lines.
www.kayakanglermag.com…53
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