10 Essential Lake Trolling Gear Picks for Families

Imagine a quiet morning on a glassy lake, the sun just cracking the treeline, and the sudden, thrilling click of a line counter reel screaming as a trout hits. Taking the family out for a day of trolling is one of the best ways to build lasting memories, but keeping kids engaged requires a system that actually catches fish without constant tangles. Having the right gear turns a potentially frustrating day of crossed lines into a smooth, productive adventure where everyone gets to reel in the big one.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Key Factors for Safe and Successful Family Lake Trolling

Successful family trolling relies on predictability, consistency, and simplicity. Managing multiple lines in a confined space like a 16-to-20-foot family bowrider requires organized gear that keeps lures at precise depths without constant hands-on troubleshooting. If lines are tangling or gear is too complex, kids lose interest quickly, and frustration takes over the boat.

Boat control is the secret engine of trolling success. Maintaining a steady, ultra-slow speed between 1.0 and 2.5 miles per hour is critical for presenting lures naturally. Safe trolling also means setting clear boundaries on deck, keeping the cockpit clear of clutter, and ensuring every passenger understands how to react when a fish strikes.

Trolling Combo – Okuma Cold Water Line Counter Reel and Rod

Trolling requires knowing exactly how much line is out to repeat successful depth patterns. A line counter combo takes the guesswork out of lure placement, ensuring your bait stays in the strike zone. Without a way to measure line depth, you are simply hoping for the best rather than targeting active fish.

The Okuma Cold Water Line Counter Reel paired with a matching Okuma trolling rod offers a robust drag system and a highly legible, mechanical counter that does not rely on batteries. Its lightweight graphite frame and dependable multi-disc carbonate drag handle sudden, hard strikes from lake trout or walleye without binding up. The rod is specifically engineered to bend deeply under downrigger loads, preventing line snaps.

Note that line counters must be calibrated with the correct line diameter to read accurately. Spooling this reel with a backing line before adding your main line ensures the counter matches actual depth. This combo is perfect for families who want a durable, plug-and-play setup that removes depth guesswork, though it may be overkill for casual shore anglers.

• Reel Frame: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant frame and sideplates
• Drag System: Multi-disc Carbonite drag system
• Line Counter: Mechanical counter tailors to foot-by-foot accuracy

Planer Board – Off Shore Tackle OR12 Side Planer

When trolling with multiple people in the boat, lines can easily cross, especially during tight turns. Planer boards pull your lines away from the boat’s wake, spreading your presentation wider and preventing tangles while keeping lures in undisturbed water. This allows you to fish more rods simultaneously, which is crucial when trying to keep a whole family entertained.

The Off Shore Tackle OR12 Side Planer is the gold standard for ballasted side planers, engineered to run smoothly even in choppy lake water. Its high-visibility yellow color makes it easy for kids to track from the boat, and the bracketed flag system gives a clear visual cue the instant a fish strikes. The ballasted weight on the bottom ensures the board uprights itself instantly upon hitting the water.

Beginners should practice setting these up on calmer days, as clipping the board to the line and releasing it requires a steady hand. Additionally, ensure you purchase specific left- or right-side models depending on which side of the boat you plan to run them. This tool is essential for families wanting to run three or more rods without tangles, though solo anglers running a single flat-line can skip it.

• Material: Durable, high-density foam with a ballasted keel
• Clips: Includes standard OR19 release clips
• Orientation: Available in dedicated port (left) and starboard (right) versions

Rod Holder – Scotty Powerlock Rod Holder with Combo Mount

Holding a heavy trolling rod for hours is exhausting for kids, and laying a rod on the gunwale is a recipe for losing expensive gear overboard. A secure rod holder keeps the rod positioned perfectly to detect bites while keeping hands free for snacks and navigation. It acts as an extra set of tireless hands on the boat, ensuring your gear stays secure during a strike.

The Scotty Powerlock Rod Holder features a heavy-duty locking ring that secures the rod butt, preventing aggressive fish from pulling the setup into the water. Its fiberglass-reinforced nylon construction is virtually indestructible, and the combo mount allows for installation on both gunwales and rails. The universal design accommodates almost any reel style, from spinning setups to heavy line counters.

When installing, position the mounts where they won’t interfere with boarding or dock lines. Instruct children on how to twist the locking ring open quickly so they do not fumble when a fish is on the line. This is a must-have for any family boat setup to prevent lost gear, though it is not ideal for fly-fishing rods or ultra-light panfish setups.

• Material: Fiber-reinforced engineering-grade nylon
• Mounting Type: Top or side gunwale mounting options included
• Adjustment: 360-degree horizontal rotation and vertical tilt

Fish Finder – Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv GPS Fishfinder

You cannot catch what you cannot find, and trolling blindly is a quick way to lose the family’s interest. A fish finder maps the bottom structure, tracks water temperature, and reveals exactly where schools of baitfish and predators are suspended. Knowing the depth of the thermocline allows you to position your lures precisely where active fish are feeding.

The Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv stands out with its ClearVü scanning sonar, which provides near-photographic images of structure beneath the boat. The built-in, high-sensitivity GPS lets you mark hotspots and map custom contours in real-time, making it easy to return to productive trolling lanes. The seven-inch display is bright enough to read in direct sunlight, keeping kids engaged as they watch the screen for fish arches.

Operating a fish finder requires a small learning curve to distinguish between actual fish, bait clouds, and bottom debris. Take time to mount the transducer at the correct angle on the transom to prevent signal loss at higher speeds. This unit is perfect for families seeking a dependable, easy-to-read mapping and sonar unit without the premium price of high-end network chartplotters.

• Display Size: 7-inch color screen with high-contrast color palettes
• Sonar Type: Traditional CHIRP and ClearVü scanning sonar
• GPS Capabilities: Waypoint marking and Quickdraw Contours mapping

Trolling Motor – Minn Kota Terrova Bow-Mount Motor

Maintaining a consistent, quiet speed is crucial for lake trolling, and gas outboards are often too loud and run too fast. A bow-mount electric trolling motor pulls the boat smoothly through the water, allowing for precise steering and speed adjustments. This silent operation prevents spooking fish in shallow water and allows for quiet conversation on deck.

The Minn Kota Terrova features Spot-Lock electronic anchoring, which holds the boat in place with GPS precision when you need to stop and untangle a line or tend to a fish. Its i-Pilot GPS system allows you to record paths and control steering via a wireless remote, freeing up the driver to assist kids with their rods. The lift-assist design also makes deploying and stowing the motor incredibly easy.

This motor requires a dedicated deep-cycle marine battery system (24V or 36V depending on the thrust model) and a reliable onboard charger. The foot pedal and remote have a slight learning curve, so practice maneuvering in open water before fishing tight structures. This is an incredible investment for families looking for hands-free boat control, though it may be too costly and heavy for small utility rowboats.

• Thrust Options: 55, 80, or 112 pounds of thrust
• Shaft Lengths: 45, 54, 60, or 72 inches
• Control Options: Wireless remote, foot pedal, or smartphone app integration

Manual Downrigger – Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX Downrigger

During mid-summer, game fish retreat to deep, cool water thermoclines where standard weighted lines cannot reach. A downrigger uses a heavy lead weight on a steel cable to carry your light line down to exact depths, releasing the fishing line when a fish strikes. This allows you to fight the fish directly without heavy weights dragging on the rod.

The Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX features a fast 2:1 retrieval speed, which reduces the effort needed to crank the heavy weight back up to the surface. Its telescopic boom extends from 24 to 53 inches, allowing you to position the cable safely away from the boat’s propeller and outboard motor. The enclosed spool prevents line slips and nests the cable securely.

Operating a downrigger requires careful coordination; always lower the weight slowly while keeping tension on the fishing line to prevent tangles. Remember to buy a high-quality 8-to-10-pound downrigger weight separately, as they are rarely included in the box. This manual downrigger is ideal for families targeting deep-dwelling trout or walleye in deep lakes, but is unnecessary for shallow-water crappie or bass.

• Retrieval Rate: High-speed 2:1 gear ratio
• Boom Length: Adjustable telescopic aluminum boom (24″ to 53″)
• Spool Material: Heavy-duty composite construction with 150 feet of stainless steel cable

Monofilament Line – Berkley Trilene Big Game Fishing Line

Trolling subjects line to constant tension, abrasion from gear, and sudden shocks from striking fish. A dependable monofilament line acts as a shock absorber, stretching slightly to prevent hooks from tearing out of a fish’s mouth. This forgiveness is critical when younger anglers are reeling in a fish too quickly or with too much force.

Berkley Trilene Big Game is legendary for its extreme abrasion resistance and high knot strength, which is vital when running lines through planer boards and downrigger releases. Its controlled stretch provides a forgiving buffer when a child sets the drag too tight or reels in too aggressively. The line is also highly resistant to the degrading effects of UV rays, ensuring it lasts throughout the season.

Monofilament has memory, meaning it can coil if left on a reel for too long, especially in cold weather. Respool your trolling reels at the start of every season to ensure smooth running and accurate line counting. This line is the perfect, budget-friendly choice for all-around trolling duties, though anglers targeting ultra-deep water with zero stretch may prefer braided lines.

• Line Weights: Available from 8-pound to 130-pound test
• Color Choices: Clear, Green, and Coastal Blue for varying water conditions
• Spool Sizes: Large filler spools for multiple reel packings

Trolling Lure – Luhr-Jensen Kwikfish K15 Multi-Pack

You need a lure that produces a wide, aggressive action even at slow trolling speeds to trigger strikes from predatory fish. A reliable trolling plug mimics wounded baitfish, drawing fish in from distance through vibrations and bright finishes. Using a proven lure ensures that your gear is working effectively even when the fish are tentative.

The Luhr-Jensen Kwikfish K15 is a legendary, wide-wobbling plug that can be tuned to run straight at varying speeds. The K15 size is highly versatile, appealing to lake trout, salmon, and large walleye, while the loud internal rattles attract fish in murky or deep water. Its robust construction ensures it can handle toothy predators without losing its finish or structural integrity.

These lures can occasionally pull to one side out of the box; use a pair of pliers to gently nudge the screw eye on the nose in the opposite direction of the veer to tune it. Keep the hooks sharp and clear of lake weeds to ensure solid hookups. This is a staple lure for deep-water trolling enthusiasts, though it may be too large for targeting panfish or small stocker trout.

• Lure Length: 5 inches (K15 model)
• Action: Wide, aggressive wobbling motion with adjustable tuning eye
• Hook Configuration: Two round-bend treble hooks

Youth Life Jacket – Mustang Survival Rev Youth PFD

Safety on the water is non-negotiable, especially when young children are active on a moving boat. A comfortable, properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD) ensures peace of mind for parents and keeps kids safe if they accidentally slip overboard. When a life jacket is comfortable, children will wear it without complaint all day long.

The Mustang Survival Rev Youth PFD uses segmented foam panels that contour to a child’s body, providing mobility so they can fish, sit, and move without chafing. It features high-contrast colors and reflective trim for excellent visibility, along with a rugged grab handle on the collar for quick recovery. The cooling mesh lining also keeps kids comfortable on hot summer days.

Always check the weight rating before purchase to ensure a proper fit, as a life jacket that is too large can slide up over a child’s face in the water. Rinse the PFD with fresh water after use and hang-dry it out of direct sunlight to prevent mold and fabric degradation. This is an essential safety item for families with growing children, but is not sized for toddlers or adults.

• Weight Range: Approved for youth weighing 55 to 88 pounds
• Approval Rating: Harmonized Level 70 buoyancy aid (USCG and Transport Canada approved)
• Material: Durable 300D polyester shell with cooling mesh lining

Landing Net – Frabill Conservation PLD Landing Net

The most common time to lose a fish is right at the side of the boat when trying to lift it aboard. A reliable landing net cradles the fish safely, reducing stress on the fish and preventing treble hooks from snagging hands or boat vinyl. It transforms a chaotic, stressful moment into a controlled, successful landing.

The Frabill Conservation PLD Landing Net features a knotless, dipping-coated mesh that protects the fish’s slime coat and prevents scales from stripping off. Its flat-bottom basket supports the fish evenly, while the locking, telescoping handle offers the extra reach needed to clear the boat’s motor. The linear design makes it easy to slide under a tired fish without spooking it.

Take time to practice netting fish head-first rather than tail-first, as fish cannot swim backward out of the net. Regularly check the netting for tears or weak spots that could fail during a heavy catch. This net is perfect for conservation-minded families fishing for medium-to-large freshwater species, though it may be too bulky for kayak anglers.

• Mesh Type: Knotless micro-mesh with hook-resist coating
• Handle Type: Powre-Lok locking yoke with telescoping aluminum handle
• Hoop Size: 20″ x 23″ heavy-duty teardrop hoop

Essential Trolling Safety and Gear Maintenance Tips

Trolling gear spends hours under constant, high-tension loads in high-moisture environments, making regular maintenance crucial for longevity. After every trip, wash down your rods, reels, and downriggers with clean, fresh water to remove algae and mineral buildup. Periodically back off the drag on your line counter reels during storage to prevent the drag washers from compressing and losing their smoothness.

Safe boat operation during trolling requires keeping a clean deck. Stow unused rods in vertical holders rather than letting them lie on the floor where they can be stepped on or tripped over. Keep a pair of long-nose pliers and heavy-duty hook cutters easily accessible; when treble hooks are flying around a landing net with a thrashing fish, safety equipment must be within arm’s reach.

Outfitting your boat with the right trolling gear simplifies the process, keeping your lines running straight and your family focused on the fun. With the proper rod setups, depth-control tools, and safety equipment, your next outing on the lake will be smooth, organized, and filled with action. Pack up the boat, head out to your favorite lake, and enjoy the reward of watching the family reel in their next big catch together.