Trolling plugs on a clear lake

We will be fishing a lake that has a secci of about 15-so the weedline is around 20′.We will panfish the lake and they would like to make a trolling pass or 2. Any ideas on speed depth or anything else? Thanks

You say you’ll panfish the lake, but is that what you want to troll for, or are you targeting walleye, pike, bass or muskies by trolling? Sounds like “they” are two or more people, plus you. Trolling cranks in weeds with a boatload of people is a great recipe for salad and can get frustrating quickly. I’d use a bullet sinker ahead of a 3-4 foot leader, small circle hook and small leech for panfish. Get out where the weeds taper off and troll just above them. Watch the sonar for schools, waypoint them and go back with slip bobbers.

Nice tip for the pannies-need advice for trolling walleyes, just 2 of us- we will just go at sunset and into the evening-thanks

As close as you can to the weeds without getting continually fouled up. It’s warming up so I’d go faster than you think….maybe 2.5 to 3.0 to start.

I’d start on the backside of the weeds if there was a distinct line, otherwise, just work as close as you can to them.

Thanks! Plug you like for this duty?

What crankbaits depends on the exact depth of the weeds and depth your trolling.I wouldnt worry so much about bottom or weed contact on a clear water lake,better to run the crankbaits a couple feet above the fish to avoid the weeds and they will come up and smoke it.Floating raps,husky jerks,rouges,thunderstiks on the shallow end to shad raps,hornets,flicker shads,smash shads on the deeper end would likely work.Most clear lakes I fish seem to have the fish 10ft or shallower evening to after dark.

I’d have one guy run a shallow lipped crank behind an in-line planer board pulling the bait away from the boat and closer to shore. The other guy can troll just a bit deeper and further back directly behind the boat. As Matt said, keep both baits above the weeds.

I’d fish above the thermocline with leadcore or whatever crank gets you in that range.

Thanks guys-going tomorrow, wish me luck

How did it go?

Crappie bite was going pretty well even after sunset, but we did pull away for a bit to troll, my friend got a 17” and I lost one that was maybe a little larger right at the boat. Thanks for all the help.