FAQ’s

How To Get

Can I still get the Precision Trolling Data in a book?

We stopped printing about 8 years ago as we have accumulated an enormous amount of data and it was not cost effective to print any longer.

Can I download the data to my desktop or laptop?

No, the app is designed for mobile devices only. EX: phone/ipad/tablet

Do I need phone service to use the App?

The App data is stored in your device and does not need cell service to use. Wifi is recommended for initial downloads and updates but will work with cell data when needed.

Apple offers Family Sharing. Can I use this within my family on your apps?

According to Apple In-App purchases are not supported by Family Sharing. Read below:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203046

Can I share information from my old Precision Trolling Books?

When a work is copyrighted (whether it be a book or other format) – that copyright is valid for the period of the authors life plus 70 years after the authors death. Even if that publication is out of print, the copyright is still in force. That means the author holds all rights to those works, and the works cannot be reproduced in any form without the expressed consent of the author. A surprising fact to most folks is that copyrights are granted by the US Library of Congress. Should an author have their copyright violated, and they wish to pursue legal action, it is done in the Federal Court system, not local or state. Hope these tidbits help!!! For more info, visit: https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html

Interested in the lifetime membership. Do I just purchase in the app?

Just download the app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store. The data is purchased directly from the App store and is considered an In-App Purchase and is connected to that ID# and stored in your Cloud with them. Neither Google nor Apple share any customer information with PTD. Be sure to carry over the same ID when updating your device. Data does not transfer platforms. (ex apple to android or android to apple)

Transferring Data

Can I transfer my data to a new device?

Yes, it can be transfered to any device that shares the SAME ID# as it was purchased on.

Your data is attached to the Apple or Google ID that it was purchased on and can only be transfered to a device that uses the same ID!

PTD cannot transfer membership to new ID’s.

Like all Apps, it is important to note that the PTD app cannot be tranferred between phone platforms. In other words, the Android membership cannot be transfered to an Apple device nor can an Apple Membership be transfered to an Android device.

That being said, you still own the Apple App (or Google app) so if you have an old device or an ipad (tablet), simply download the app to it using wifi, log in to your Apple ID#, launch the app, click on store and wait until device loads information and follow prompts to restore your purchases. You do not need internet service once the app loads to the device.

How do I transfer my data to a new device?

Be sure your device is logged in to your Settings on your device. Download the free app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Open the PTD app. Your purchases should automatically start downloading. Let that process complete before closing or changing pages. You may have to click Restore Purchases.

Can I have the data on more than one device?

You may download the data to any device that shares the same Apple or Google ID. Simply download the app and restore your purchases. Be sure the device is logged in to your ID in your device settings.

Lost Data

I bought data but it no longer shows up on my device.

Both Apple & Android have tendencies to log apps out of their id’s. Simply close the app, open your device settings and re log in to your ID with password. Close settings and relaunch PTD app.

I’ve purchased data but after my phone software updated it is missing.

Go in to your phone settings and resign back in to your Apple ID or Google ID. Close settings and relaunch your PTD app. Your purchases will automatically download. If they do not, click on restore purchases. Your data is tied to your Apple ID or your Google ID and occasionally your device logs you out of Apps. This is a security measure designed by your phone software.

I’m a lifetime member for Precision Trolling Data. Recently I got a new phone that is an Android and I had the app transferred to it but I don’t have all the lures data that I purchased. I already tried to restore app purchases and it didn’t work can you address this for me please?

When upgrading your device you MUST use the same Google Play account as you made your original purchase on as that is how Google and Apple store your app information in your cloud. In some instances, the app will transfer but the data is missing. You must log that device in to your Google ID, launch app, click on Store and let the app data refresh. Follow prompts to restore/redownload data. If the data that you purchased does not download, you are NOT using the same ID as you purchased it on. Neither Google nor Apple share their customer information with us.

Technical Fishing Info

How does line diameter influence on diving depth?

A couple of key variables influence profoundly on the diving depth of any lure or diving device. Near the top of that list is line diameter. In general, thinner line impacted by less friction during trolling and therefore allow lures and trolling hardware to fish deeper. This critical variable of trolling was documented back beginning when PTD did a comprehensive study on line diamters and how they impact on diving depth.

Most of our crankbaits are tested using 10XT or .0134 diameter monofilament and 10/4 low stretch fused line. For certain devices these line types and diameters are not practical so they are tested on more appropriate line diameter and types.

For more information: http://blog.fishing411.net/2017/05/precision-trolling-line-diameter.html

How does speed influence on diving depth?

Trolling speed is an important variable associated with trolling to help trigger bites. To this point we can all agree. However, trolling speed as it pertains to the diving depth of lures and other trolling hardware is a slippery slope that few anglers completely understand.

The facts are that trolling speed influences the diving depth of some devices more than others. Lures and devices that are negatively buoyant or “sinking devices” are very much speed dependent in terms of how deep they will dive while trolled. Speeding up tends to make these lures and devices run shallow and slowing down allows the same devices to fish deeper. Carefully controlling and monitoring trolling speed is in this case a profoundly important part of getting the most from these lures and trolling hardware.

Precision Trolling Data incorporates “trolling speed” into their data on all negatively buoyant trolling products including sinking lures, weighted fishing lines, sinking diving planers, trolling weights, etc. Trolling speed and in many cases several different test speeds are selectable in the app or published on the PTD “Sticker”.

Buoyant devices like floating style divers, floating/diving crankbaits, etc., are far less sensitive to trolling speed in terms of their natural diving ability. The reason is that as trolling speeds are increased, water pushing against the diving lip or dive plane of the device is working to force the lure or device downwards in the water. Unfortunately, at the same time speeding up increases the amount of friction impacting the fishing line which is counter to the lure’s diving ability.

To be clear, the increased friction on the line cancels out the ability to dive deeper. Within normal trolling speed ranges (1.5 to 3.5 mph), the diving depth of floating lures and devices is essentially the same at respective lead lengths. It is however important to note that although trolling speed may not influence the diving depth of lures and devices, it can influence the “action” and therefore monitoring details like trolling speed is critical to fishing success.

How does lead influence diving depth?

The second common variable that influences dramatically on how deep lures and diving devices fish is lead length. In general, the longer the trolling lead the deeper respective lures and devices will dive. Trolling lead is critically important because not only does it strongly influence on diving depth, it can be monitored and manipulated easily.

The Precision Trolling Data staff uses line counter reels to monitor trolling leads while testing all the lures and devices in our apps and “Stickers”. The line counter reels used by PTD are “calibrated” carefully so as to get the most value from these reels.

We use a simple process to “calibrate” our trolling reels to known distances. The process starts by measuring out 100 feet and placing a stake in the ground at the zero and 100 foot marks. Next, fill the reel to capacity, but do not cut the line from the filler spool. Walk out to the 100 foot marker and attach the fishing line to the stake. An Off Shore Tackle line release rubber banded to the stake works great as a means of holding the line firmly at the stake. Now reel up until the rod tip touches the stake and zero out the line counter on the reel. Open the reel bail and walk back to the zero mark. If the reel is precisely calibrated the line counter on the reel will indicate 100 with exactly 100 feet of line played out.

Unfortunately this doesn’t happen by accident. To perfectly calibrate a line counter reel requires loading the reel with a precise amount of line. This is why when loading the reel with line we don’t cut it from the spool. By simply adding or removing line from the reel spool, the line counter reel can be perfectly calibrated so that 100 clicks on the reel is exactly 100 measured feet in distance. If the number shown on the line counter reel is less than 100, there is too much line on the reel and some must be wound back onto to filler spool. If the number shown on the line counter is more than 100, more line must be spooled onto the reel.

This process of “calibrating” a line counter reel takes about five minutes per reel, but it insures that all your trolling reels are loaded with precisely the right amount of line to deliver trolling leads that are consistently accurate. Any line counter reel regardless of size, brand or model can be calibrated using the information provided here.

Watch Calibration Video here https://youtu.be/Rzg7oMoRc0M

How do I calibrate Line Counter Reels

Where is the lure depth measured from?

From where the rod tip enters the water.

I want to use a different line diameter than what you tested on, what do I do?

Here is a link to an article that will help you understand what and why we’ve chosen a standard and what you can do to modify to fit your needs. http://blog.fishing411.net/2017/05/precision-trolling-line-diameter.html