SOA trolling flat line project

[pjstevko]

Seeing as how the SOA has vertical rod holders in the stern and keeping the lines more parallel to the water keeps the lures from skipping I threw together a couple flat line clips to test out on the July 3 day. 

Overall the clips worked well for the cedar plug i was trolling with. I made a long and short version since I had 2 outrigger clips. The shorter version definitely keep the line closer to parallel to the water. 

I'm not sure these clips would work for trolling madmacs or marauders but will work just fine for cedar plugs or feathers

Let me know what you think

[MarkT]

I clip it to the rod clamp.

[pjstevko]

I clip it to the rod clamp.

Yeah I was trying to think of a way to get it attached under the reel but I kinda threw this together quickly before we left...

[Gobi King]

Cool solution, I like it.

[Porthos]

So no interest in Mark's the trolling strap solution?

Make a loop with a trolling strap, feed loop end into one of the three in-between rod holders, pull the loop out the bottom and back over the rail, and run the latch ends through the loop.

[Alan M]

Does the rod butt rub against the stern...

[Porthos]

Does the rod butt rub against the stern...

With the strap approach? Not at typical trolling speeds with a long enough trolling strap, but can picture it rubbing as boat slows--the guys doing "trolling prison" should get the trolling rods in before that happens.

[stoked4fishin]

I've used a heavy rubber band across the line and wrapped around the handle (JP showed me on a 10-day years ago).  When a fish strikes the rubber band breaks.  If you need to reel in to clear the lines, just pull the rubber band off of the handle.

[Keta]

I have a pair of "upriggers" that would "cure" this "problem".  I will get a photo and post later today.

[CI_Seawolf]

PJ, I would ditch the light carabiners for either harness snaps or match the clips on a trolling strap.  Those things are not very strong in reality.  Trolling straps work ok on the SOA, loop them through the hole on the rail, and the whole rig hangs off the back.    I forget whether the outside ones or the inside ones don't work because you can't loop the strap, in that case, your set up will work better.  BTW, Halco Lazer Pro 190 crazy deep lures can be found on line at Bass Pro.  In options on the lure, select 20+ for the depth.  You want the ones with the larger lip

[MarkT]

Shhh, quiet on the Halcos... Madmacs are the way to go! 

[pjstevko]

PJ, I would ditch the light carabiners for either harness snaps or match the clips on a trolling strap.  Those things are not very strong in reality.  Trolling straps work ok on the SOA, loop them through the hole on the rail, and the whole rig hangs off the back.    I forget whether the outside ones or the inside ones don't work because you can't loop the strap, in that case, your set up will work better.  BTW, Halco Lazer Pro 190 crazy deep lures can be found on line at Bass Pro.  In options on the lure, select 20+ for the depth.  You want the ones with the larger lip

The only thing the carabiners do is hold the flat line clip, they don't need to be strong. The rod holder holds all the weight of the set-up

[CI_Seawolf]

PJ, I think there is a reason the release clips come with a swaged wire attachment.

[boon]

I gotta ask the question, why is that stern rodholder so janky? Reel sitting on the transom, can't even turn the handle?

[MarkT]

Mike Keating liked the look of the closed transom so he went with that.