cranks in rivers ?

Trolling into the current on the Mississippi I need to let out more line than the Precision Trolling book calls for to tick bottom. Any thought from you guys?

Current?

depending on the size of line your using that would be true. If you are using a mono line it would be true. If using fireline, like myself, you will find out you need less line. Its all about line resistance while pulling into the current.

Its all about line resistance while pulling into the current.

And truthfully, that book should only be used as a ‘guide’. It’ll get you close, but there’s work to do yourself to find out what works and what doesn’t. The linecounter on your reel acts as a reference point, and your brain does the rest.
Come to think of it, I don’t even have the book in my boat anymore…I should really find out where I left that thing….

The line counter counts revolutions and not exact feet. Even though it is close, when you get out to 150 or so feet 1 revolution is much less line than the first couple spools were. The river is not the easiest place to gear in on trolling but good luck, had the best crank bite of my life on the river in the middle of summer.

Yep, throw tidbits of info away. ADAPTABILITY is key

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The line counter counts revolutions and not exact feet. Even though it is close

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I don’t know enough facts about them, but the point remains; they provide a point of reference, so that is a good example. At least then you say ‘well, they aren’t hitting at 150…maybe I gotta try 135 or 165…’ and go from there. Works real well for me to help zero in on where they are.

On the river if the current is running 2 MPH and your trolling and your GPS is saying 2 MPH ( up current ) your line drag and crankbait is wobbling at 4 MPH. It better be tuned to the nuts and many cranks won`t pull at 4 MPH.

Depending on conditions if I am pulling cranks on the river I may be only moving .0 -1.5 GPS and sliding across the current. Putting my crank in and out of a current seams or the face of structure.