Two Lines or One.

[MuskieBait]

Actually, trolling isn't easier to control multiple lines, at least not in my experience. When you have 3 guys in the boat with 6 lines trolled at different levels with different presentation, there are multiple times where a fish will run into another line if you don't bring the lines in. Even with 2 extra guys, it is a lot of work bringing in the other 5 lines. If a fish hits a downrigger line with braided mainline, then swim across the boat into the leadcore line or the flat line out the back, you will have a messy time at best, a cut line is quite possible when the braided line crosses the leadcore.

When you have 2 guys fishing 4 lines in an icefishing hut, it is again the same situation...either everyone reels up the extra line or you risk the fish running into the other lines. If you are one person inside your own hut fishing 2 lines in deeper water, that is even worse. You have so little time to reel up the extra line that more often than not the hooked fish will eventually run into the other line and tangle you up.