I have had some success this year trolls bg a crankbait behind the boat as u move from spot to spot. I have caught bass, pike, and perch. I am thinking of getting a cheap casting reel and 7'6" ML Mod Ugly Stik to troll with. Am I better off with the rod perpendicular to the boat or how should I position the rod. Where should u troll, what else should I use as bait thanks.

Huge topic - use the 'search function and find previous threads on the subject. That said, I'd go heavier than ML unless a Shad Rap will be the extent of your trolling. M or MH for larger plugs. Typically you have the rod parallel or slightly tip up for most single rod trolling. 'Where' could be anywhere, but around structure, breaks and breaklines if you want to concentrate your efforts. As for other baits, almost everything can be trolled with a little adaptation. Crankbaits, jerkbaits and spoonplug are the most common items I'd guess. Buy and read Buck's 'Spoonplugging' book as it covers much of what you're asking.

 

-T9

Alabama Rig

 

If you can still find one of these on the shelf, walleye trolling guys swore by these, even pulling planer boards. I got one before they were discontinued.

 

Ugly Stik CAL 1100 or 1102(depends on handle) 7'er in medium action

My friend used to troll a baby bass colored crank over a deep hole at night.This was a deep hole for Florida - 30 feet.His biggest doing that was 11 1/2.

The lake was also very clear.