Flat-lining means trolling a lure on a straight line with nothing but the lure's lip for depth. Rig a floating stickbait or crankbait on a 4–6 foot fluoro leader with a small cross-lock snap, let out 80–150 feet, and run shoreline breaks at 1.5–2.5 mph. It catches spring walleye off the Bay of Quinte, evening pike on any Shield lake, and fall lakers in shallow.
What you need
- Main line10–12 lb mono or 10–15 lb braid (braid runs lures deeper)
- Leader4–8 ft of 12–20 lb fluorocarbon (wire or 40 lb fluoro for pike)
- SwivelSmall ball-bearing swivel between main line and leader
- SnapCross-lock or duo-lock snap (not a snap swivel) to keep lure action
- LureFloating stickbait (walleye), deep crankbait, or spoon behind an inline weight
- Planer boards (optional)To spread lines away from the boat in clear water
How to tie the flatline trolling rig
- Tie the main line to the ball-bearing swivel.
- Tie a 4–8 ft fluoro leader to the swivel.
- Tie a cross-lock snap to the leader with a Palomar knot.
- Clip on the lure and drop it beside the boat at speed to confirm it runs straight; tune the eye with pliers if it pulls sideways.
How to fish it
Let out 80–150 feet of line (count passes or use a line counter), set the rod in a holder at a 45-degree angle, and troll at 1.5–2.5 mph along breaklines and weed edges. Vary speed and make S-turns; the inside lure slows and the outside one speeds up. When a rod loads, pick it up and reel steadily.
Tips
- A trolling-depth chart or app tells you how deep each lure runs at a given line length.
- Add an inline weight 3–5 ft ahead of the leader to run spoons and shallow lures deeper.
- At dusk, troll stickbaits 5–8 ft over rocky shorelines for walleye.
Common mistakes
- Using a snap swivel at the lure, which deadens action.
- A lure running crooked — tune it before you troll.
FAQ
How much line to let out when flatline trolling?
80–150 feet. More line runs a diving lure deeper, up to its maximum; a line counter reel makes it repeatable.