Blog / Kayak fishing

Shop kayak lures

Kayak fishing

Kayak Trolling: Setup, Speed and Baits That Work

Yes, you can troll from a kayak. Most kayak trollers work close to shore for king and Spanish mackerel, and the key is pulling baits that swim right at kayak speed.

By David Rose, updated September 2026

The short answer

Kayak speed decides what you can troll

A kayak trolls slower than any boat. Paddling, most anglers settle at 2–3 knots. A pedal drive holds 3–5 knots hands-free. That range decides which baits will swim correctly behind you:

Live bait: just fast enough to keep the line tight
Cigar minnows: the best match for a pedal kayak, at the top of its 3–5 knot range
Ballyhoo: they work at pedal speed, but don't swim as well as they do at 6–8 knots

Most kayak trollers fish near shore for king and Spanish mackerel. In Hawaii, kayak anglers troll for most pelagic species. To see how every bait's speed range compares, including the faster ones a kayak can't reach, see the best trolling speed by bait.

Paddle or pedal

Paddle or pedal: which kayak trolls better

Paddling: 2–3 knots

Most paddlers naturally settle at 2 to 3 knots. That pace suits slow-trolled live bait, but paddling, trolling and holding a steady speed all at once gets tiring and frustrating. Every time you stop to adjust a rod, your baits slow down with you.

Pedal drives: 3–5 knots, hands-free

A pedal drive lets you hold a smooth 3 to 5 knots for long periods with your hands free for the rods. That's the range where cigar minnows rigged with TrollTrue swim well, and it makes a pedal kayak the better trolling platform.

Pedal drives come in propeller and fin styles. Propeller drives are a good choice for trolling: they're reliable, and they pedal in reverse easily.

kayak fisherman trolling offshore for king mackerel

A pedal drive holds trolling speed and leaves your hands free for the rods.

The setup

Your kayak trolling setup

Space is tight in a kayak, and everything has to be within reach. Here's how to set one up for trolling.

Rod and reel

Use a medium-action rod with a fast tip for sensitivity, paired with a quality spinning reel that has a smooth drag and high line capacity.

Line and top shot

Line choice is a key to success. Spool braid with a monofilament top shot in the 40–50 lb range to maximize line capacity, and join the two with an FG knot or a double uni knot.

Leaders and swivels

Use a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader in most situations, and 7-strand wire for king mackerel. It's flexible and resists kinking. Don't tie the leader straight to the top shot: put a quality ball-bearing swivel between them to prevent line twist. Use a uni knot at the swivel for monofilament and a figure 8 knot for 7-strand wire.

Two lines, at different distances

Troll two rods, and keep the kayak moving at a speed that keeps the lines from tangling. Vary your speed and how far each bait runs behind the kayak to fish different depths, and find what works that day.

Pack the rest where you can reach it without turning around: pliers, a landing net or gaff, sunscreen, a hat, water and snacks.

Kayak trolling setup for nearshore fishing

Two rods, and everything you need within arm's reach.

Baits

The best baits for kayak trolling

Cigar minnows: the pedal-kayak sweet spot

Cigar minnows are the best match for kayak speed. They troll at 4–5 knots, right at the top of a pedal drive's range, and rigged with TrollTrue they swim well at pedal speeds. More on rigging and trolling cigar minnows.

Ballyhoo: they work, below their best

Ballyhoo can be trolled successfully from a pedal kayak, but they won't swim as well as they do at 6–8 knots, their best range behind a boat. See our guide to ballyhoo fishing.

Live bait: slow and steady

Live bait suits the slower pace of a paddle kayak. Troll it just fast enough to keep the line tight; drag it and it dies. The challenge from a kayak is keeping fresh, lively bait on hand. A sabiki rig catches bait as you need it, especially around structure.

Angler in a fishing kayak holding a mahi

Kayak trolling can put big fish in your lap.

Rigged on the water

Rig cigar minnows and ballyhoo right in the kayak

TrollTrue lures rig in two steps: hook the bait, slide the lure on. No pin rigs, springs or copper wire, and nothing to prep at the dock.

Shop kayak trolling lures

Rigging cigar minnows →

Where to troll

Where to troll from a kayak

Your range in a kayak is limited, so where you launch matters. Most kayak trolling happens close to shore.

Study the chart before you launch. Look for reefs, wrecks, drop-offs and other depth changes within paddling or pedaling range of your launch.

Ask locally. Bait shop staff and local anglers know the seasonal patterns and where the kings and Spanish are running.

Watch the birds. Diving birds usually mean bait near the surface, and bait draws the fish you're after.

Work the edges. Tide lines, weed lines and floating debris all hold bait. When you find them, troll along them.

Fish on

Hooking and landing fish from a kayak

Clear the second line first. A hookup brings a lot of excitement and activity. Make a habit of clearing the other rod before you fight the fish. Skip it and it will almost always come back to haunt you.

Expect a longer fight. Fighting a fish from a kayak takes longer than from a boat, and the fish will be more exhausted by the end. If you're releasing it, keep it in the water, wet your hands before handling it, and hold it by the tail, moving it back and forth to push water over the gills until it swims away.

Respect the teeth. King and Spanish mackerel have razor-sharp teeth, and a big fish in the close quarters of a kayak is a recipe for disaster. Use extreme caution as a fish comes alongside, and never risk your safety for a fish.

Pro tip

Before you set the lines out, put the gaff or net and your pliers where you can grab them without looking.

Safety

Kayak trolling safety

Safety comes first on every kayak trip, and it matters more the farther you go from your launch.

Wear your PFD, always. Choose a Coast Guard–approved PFD designed for kayaking, with pockets for small essentials. Manual or automatic inflatable PFDs are more comfortable. Wear it even if you're a strong swimmer.

Fish with a buddy whenever you can.

Check the weather. High winds, rough seas and storms make kayaking dangerous. If conditions look bad, postpone the trip.

Carry a way to call for help. A waterproof, floating handheld VHF radio or a personal locator beacon can be lifesaving.

Leave a float plan. Tell a friend or family member your route, when you expect to be back and who to contact if you're not.

Built to keep your bait swimming true

Molded from 100% lead with an integrated keel weight, TrollTrue lures keep cigar minnows and ballyhoo swimming true instead of spinning.

Rig as you go

Rig on the water, only what you're about to fish, instead of over-rigging at the dock.

Fewer short strikes

The lure positions the trailer hook to cut down short strikes.

Made in the USA

Handpainted, with a powder-coated finish that stands up to saltwater.