Paul's 4-Rod Trolling System for Colorado Reservoirs

Paul runs 4 rods to cover the water column simultaneously — three 7-footers on the inside at different depths and the 8-footer on the outside for maximum spread. At Spinney and Eleven Mile, trout hold at specific depths that shift by time of day. Four rods means you find the depth fast instead of guessing.

Three St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Fast rods form the backbone of the spread. These are nearly identical, which matters — swapping rigs between rods is instant when the blanks feel the same. The fourth rod, on the outside, is a St. Croix Avid 8ft ML. The extra foot of length keeps it from tangling with the 7-footers, and the SCIII+ graphite is noticeably more sensitive when a fish mouths the lure at 80ft.

Paul spools Sufix Revolve 10lb braid on all four reels. Braid has zero stretch — critical for detecting soft takes at depth. At the leader connection he runs 8lb Seaguar fluorocarbon via an Alberto knot. The fluoro leader disappears in South Park's clear water. He uses 6–8 feet of leader depending on conditions.

Target speed is 1.5–2.0mph. Below 1.5 and the Thomas Spoon loses its wobble. Above 2.0 and you're moving too fast for the fish to commit. Depth varies by season — early season Paul starts at 20–30ft and works deeper until he marks fish on the Lowrance. Mid-summer the trout are often at 60–80ft.