[Gern Blanston]

Solo springer fishermen, what do you think is the best springer trolling rod when you don't have a net man? For springers I'm all trolling all the time.

I like to run long gear and always thought that a longer rod was better when trying to net a salmon by myself. I have a G. Loomis STR 1265 which is a blast to fish with, but it can be a challenge to persuade a nice springer into the net when fishing alone. I could go Loomis SAMR 1265 for more backbone? Or Lami G1326T 9' moocher? Those have a slower action and a parabolic bend, maybe not best for salmon persuasion? I have a variety of 7'9" backbouncers with tons of backbone?

What rod do you fish when fishing solo? Do you shorten your gear when you do?

 

[eyeFISH]

Shorten your leader and bumper... and mebbe your rod as well. That'll make the solo netshot infinitely easier.

Contrary to popular belief, shorter leaders WILL NOT cost you bites. Try to keep the total amount of gear outside the rod tip under 6 feet total length... from slider to trailing hook. I would start there. Chopping back leaders/bumpers is WAY cheaper than getting a new rod.

 

[Huntar2]

I fish alone a LOT. Especially for fall Chinook.
Short rods definitely make netting your own fish a bit easier, but for trolling with flashers and all, I feel you are pretty much forced to the longer rods, due to the long string of bumper+flasher+leader.
That being said, I pretty much fish the same rods solo or with a net man.
Fishing solo does push me to fish other techniques more. Hover fishing for fall Chinook has become a favorite technique.

 

[Fiskiller]

Take your time and enjoy!

 

[Ibexfishing]

Ditch the bumper in front of your triangle flasher and use a 4 to 5 foot leader, I fish alone a lot, I actually prefer netting my fish solo more than trying to net someone else’s fish or have them trying to net mine,

 

[H4ng0ver]

I think it comes down to how tall you are. I'm 5'8, so 9'2 or 9'4 is perfect for netting my own fish

 

[Gern Blanston]

Ditch the bumper in front of your triangle flasher and use a 4 to 5 foot leader, I fish alone a lot, I actually prefer netting my fish solo more than trying to net someone else’s fish or have them trying to net mine,

I'm a dragger/dredger when trolling herring. I'd love to ditch the bumper, but that's a recipe for gackage.

 

[Gern Blanston]

Also, seems like I can get tendonitis these days by just looking at my elbow wrong. Another reason for a shorter rod.

 

[Gern Blanston]

Also, also, my favorite net solo fishing is an old school, big hoop, green net with a fairly short handle. The thing is light as a feather. Not sure they even make those anymore???

 

[triggerman]

For solo springers I like a XCC934 Kwik. No need for a 10'6 rod IMO,...solo or not.

 

[Gern Blanston]

For solo springers I like a XCC934 Kwik. No need for a 10'6 rod IMO,...solo or not.

Agreed on need, but fishing 10'6" rods are a blast to catch salmon on. Maybe not a good choice on a crowded boat, a boat with a top, and solo fishing.

 

[Ibexfishing]

I'm a dragger/dredger when trolling herring. I'd love to ditch the bumper, but that's a recipe for gackage.

Let me show you my setup for dredging the bottom, I’ve never had a issue with this setup, pictures to follow shortly

 

[Ibexfishing]

Here’s my setup without a bumper, works flawlessly, the wire dropper has never tangled with my flasher

 

[DogZilla15]

A long wimpy rod gets shorter with increased load.

 

[Gern Blanston]

A long wimpy rod gets shorter with increased load.

It's a balance I guess to find a chewy rod for trolling herring and one that will put the fish in the net w/o a big struggle.

 

[Gern Blanston]

I'm going short and stout with short gear tomorrow.

 

[Seafrk]

My favorite solo rod is the lamiglas mark wilson 7' striper rod, plenty of back bone and flex for solo netting, not sure they make it anymore, last I looked it was well over $300.00. One of my favorite rods, have caught 30+ lb kings on it off the west coast of Vancouver Island

 

[eyeFISH]

Here’s my setup without a bumper, works flawlessly, the wire dropper has never tangled with my flasher View attachment 1004513

You gotta be an ACE netman with that setup. No room for error if that lead even thinks about grazing the mesh.

 

[shin09]

from the kayak, may be different in a boat, I love my ML 7’ trevala as a salmon rod. The 7’ L would probably be even better.

 

[Larry K]

For solo springers I like a XCC934 Kwik. No need for a 10'6 rod IMO,...solo or not.

Spot on!