Trolling dead baits

[Tony_N]

Haven't done a lot of trolling and what I have done is with bibbed minnows (Halcos and Rapalas). Intend to chase some wahoos and would like to troll a swim bait in the set. Not a skip bait, but something that will stay below water wih the minnows at about 4 or 5 knots .

I have seen dead mullet tie-rigged witha bean sinker under their chin and wondered whether the rig in the pic below might work. I've just clipped on a home-made slug to the modified leadhead.

Anybody like to take an educated guess as to whethr this would stay down at tht speed? If not, any suggestions as to how to keep a slimy or a little mullet down?

[scuttlebutt]

Dunno if it would work (with the added slug) but those rigs work well with gar. Will easily troll at 6 knots without blowing out. Just make sure you keep everything symetrical.

I'd get rid of that swivel on the last hook though. Good in theory, but I've used that same store-bought rig trolling gar, and the swivel broke on the first spaniard (and it wasn't a big one either)

cheers,

steve

[Noelm]

you could just troll a live bait, just can't get any more natural than that!

[Tony_N]

*Snip* I'd get rid of that swivel on the last hook though. Good in theory, but I've used that same store-bought rig trolling gar, and the swivel broke on the first spaniard (and it wasn't a big one either)*Snip*

Steve - I use ganged hooks with swivels or lots of applications and haven't lost a swivel yet. You gotta buy the good ones though . Shogun rolling swivels are the go.

*Snip*you could just troll a live bait, just can't get any more natural than that!*Snip*

Noel 1980's 140 HP V6 evinrude - will not troll at less than 5 knots - cylinders keep kicking in and out to handle the low revs and the motor oils up. We premix.

thanks for the input fellas

Tony

[Stubbie Holder]

If you are chasing Wahoo's, the faster the better, they can be caught at slower troll speeds but you will have much better results trolling fast, even up to 12 knots or more if you are really targetting these fish. Otherwise around 8 knots is a good compromise and gives you the chance at some other species as well.

Stubbie!

[Tony_N]

Thanks Stubbie - that's a good bit of info that I didn't have. Prior trolling has been for spanish mackerel (with occasional bycatch of cobia)and we have tended to operate at about 12kilometersph with some success.

Do you have a suggested speed for mahi mahi? Is that where the compromise speed of 8knots comes in?

thanks


Tony