Trolling Speed Chart by Product

"Speed sends out your invitation. So, you'd better get it right!" Capt. John King called trolling speed the most vital part of Great Lakes trolling. This chart collects the speeds John reported for each of our products. They're his field results, not fixed rules, so use them as a starting point.

Speed by product

Product John's sweet spot Range that produced Notes
Salmon Buster™ spoons (riggers, divers) 2.0–2.6 mph About 1.2 to 3.0+ mph (some bites 3–4 mph) Doesn't stall when you slow down to fight a fish
Salmon Buster spoons on the surface (planer boards) 2.5 mph GPS speed over ground 1.5 to 3+ mph April Browns: 2.4–2.6 mph
Flashers and flasher + meat rig combos 1.5–2.0 mph 2.2 mph or less; 1.2–1.4 mph in flat calm for deep Kings John: dodgers, flashers and cowbells call for 2.2 mph or less
Meat rigs with herring strips (Magnum heads) 1.5–1.8 mph 1 to 3+ mph (2003 log) Watch for a 15–30° downrigger cable angle
Meat rigs with whole herring (Super Mag heads) 1.5–2.0 mph Not speed sensitive Give whole bait a slight bend at 2.2 mph and slower
Rip Teezers™ 2.2 mph About 1.3 to 3.0+ mph Designed to keep rolling down to about 1.2 mph
Trolling flies behind flashers 1.5–2.0 mph 2.2 mph or less Same speed as the flasher

Speed by situation

Situation John's speed
Deep summer Kings at mid-day (38–44°F water) 1.5–2.0 mph
Deep Kings in flat calm 1.2–1.4 mph
Typical summer spread About 2.0 mph
Fighting a fish Slow to about 1.2 mph so other lines keep fishing
Searching new water Faster speeds (around 2.5 mph with spoons) cover more water

Getting speed right

  • GPS isn't the whole story. GPS shows speed over ground, not the speed of your lures. Underwater currents (John found up to 1 mph or more below 50' after a blow) and wind change lure speed.
  • Watch your cables. "Cable watching never breaks and it won't lie to you." Downrigger cables should hang straight down. Cables angling to one side mean current or wind is pushing your lures sideways.
  • Read the turns. If the outside (faster) rods go off on a turn, speed up. If the inside (slower) rods get bit, slow down.
  • Match the catchers. When you're not catching, match the speed of boats that are.
  • Use sea bags (drift socks) to slow down in a following sea.
  • Check your baits. Watch lures and bait boatside to make sure they're working before you set them.

Learn more

Speed Kills: Getting Trolling Speed Right · Trolling Cheat Sheet · Salmon Buster Spoon Selection Guide · Meat Head Fit Guide