AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2005 ISSUE 

For the last 12 months Far Beyond has been an ongoing series of educational editorials, an avenue of sorts for the South Florida Sport Fishing Crew to share our experiences with you. As we recollected our adventures our focus has always been to provide the latest detailed information for the mid-range boat owner, while constantly relaying valuable tips along the way. Id like to continue the trend by delving deeper into some of the more popular tactics and techniques employed by the local pros.

In upcoming issues well be covering an array of topics in our ongoing effort to keeping you hooked up! Lets kick off this so-called mini-series with a close up look at rigging this seasons hottest trolling lures.

For me, dragging artifi cial baits in search of pelagic predators ranging from blackfi n tuna to big wahoo is more thrilling than any other form of angling. I have come across only a few things in life as exciting as the sound of a screaming trolling reel. Without exception the strike and ensuing battle are totally addictive. Those heart pounding adrenaline fi lled episodes are what keep blue water anglers coming back for more. Technology, coupled with relatively inexpensive trolling gear and accessories, have made even small boats viable platforms for effective pursuits, so the following info is for everyone, big and small. As with all forms of fi shing understanding the basics is rather critical. The same applies to offshore trolling. Learning how each lure-head design tracks and how each complements a pattern of six to twelve lines is essential. Only when this info is understood and implemented can one effectively enjoy trolling.

There is an endless amount of data on how and why trolling lures work, with many legends harboring their own opinions. Size, color, placement…, the variables are endless. All we know for sure is properly presented; trolling lures trigger aggressive responses. Basically in the ‘fi sheat- fi sh world, anything that moves and can easily be caught is fair game and the more a lure appears wounded or in distress, the more likely a pelagic will commit its valuable energy to an all out attack. Prior to heading out to the battle grounds, your assortment of trolling lures must be properly rigged. Oceanic predators smash trolled baits at astonishing speeds with crushing jaws exerting tremendous strain on terminal gear. On most occasions the moment of impact when a dolphin, tuna, or billfi sh actually grabs the lure will determine the outcome of the encounter. If the hook point fi nds a home and no tackle failure occurs, youre hooked up! If you have a single weak connection like a nicked leader, you end up with nothin!

Many offshore anglers and especially those fairly new to the sport seem intimidated when the subject of rigging trolling lures arises. A large percentage opts to purchase trolling lures pre-rigged, and thats not a bad choice, though a more satisfying option does exist. Rigging your own lures can be compared to tying your own fl y. Each successful outcome taste just a little sweeter, and honestly properly rigging skirted trolling lures is actually easier than one would think. My philosophy has always been keeping it simple but do it right! The last thing any of us want is to lose a beautiful fi sh due to tackle failure that could have easily been avoided.

Skirted lures:

Properly rigging individual skirted lures is a snap, simply follow these easy guidelines.

Leader length should exceed the length of the fi sh you are intending on catching, while leader strength can range from 100lb. test for 4- to 6-inch lures intended for dolphin and tuna to 400lb. test for monster marlin baits. Common sense plays a role here and will tell you 10ft. of stiff 400lb. mono would be overkill for a 4-inch feather.

Hook size along with selecting single or double hook rigs are factors that need to be considered. If youre targeting fi sh intended for release, a double hook rig may jeopardize a healthy outcome. Hook size will affect how the lure will track in the water. Too large of a hook and the artifi cial bait may un-balance and follow an awkward track. Too small of a hook and you may fi nd your percentage of knockdowns far outweigh solid hook ups!

Step 1. Crimp grommet ring to end of mono leader material.

Step 2. Slide lure up leader, head fi rst.

Step 3. To properly position the hook(s) in relation to skirt, the procedure is simple. After sliding lure on, slide not one, but two crimps up the line. First make affi x a crimp tight to the hook, leaving a 4- to 6-inch tag end. Wrap the tag end around leader and affi x second crimp at exact length that allows proper hook positioning. If youre not right on the money, dont despair. Slight trimming of nylon skirt with scissors will even things out nicely.

A new trend of CNC machined steel and aluminum baits are taking the trolling lure market by storm. These metal ‘bullets are notorious for attracting wahoo. Ive learned the hard way that cable should be your only choice of leader material here.

Step 1. Crimp grommet ring to end of cable leader.

Step 2. Slide lure on cable leader, head fi rst.

Step 3. Crimp a tight loop to your hook(s).

*For safety reasons protective eyewear and leather gloves are a good idea when dealing with cable.

Daisy Chains:

Daisy chains could very well be the most effective means of creating greater appeal in your trolling pattern. Daisy chains permit you to add multiple baits in the water without additional lines, a big plus for small boaters pulling only 4 lines. The larger hook bait trailing the chain mimics a juvenile predator hot on the tail of erratic baitfi sh. The real life scenario triggers impulsive strikes! Even more versatile, teaser chains are becoming increasingly popular. A teaser chain is not much different then a daisy chain other than the trailing hook bait is replaced by a snap-swivel. The versatility adds attractiveness to any single lure in a pinch.

Step 1. Crimp grommet ring to end of mono leader.

Step 2. Slide lure, head fi rst, then crimp up the leader. Repeat step 2, two more times.

Step 3. Crimp snap-swivel to trailing end of leader.

Step 4. Bottom crimp should be affi xed 2-inches above snap-swivel so swivel its hidden in skirt.

Step 5. Intermediately crimp remaining lures between grommet ring and snap swivel.

The versatile teaser chain can be included between your running lines snap and lure of choice.



A quick note on Spreader Bars & Dredges.

Blue water anglers around the country departing many of the most famous big-game ports wouldnt consider trolling a pattern without at least one spreader bar in the mix. Spreader bars are so effective at attracting attention and instigating savage strikes many northeast tuna fi shermen pull six to eight at a time, greatly enhancing the overall presentation of their spread from 8 baits to 80 baits. Yet here in South Florida, spreader bars are rarely dragged. Big mistake, bars catch fi sh!

Dredges, more common amongst the local sailfi sh community, are worth their weight in gems. Again the added presentation of an entire school of fl eeing baitfi sh is an irresistible turn on! Natural mullet and ballyhoo dredges are the most popular while prism imitators are quickly gaining respect.

Is bigger really better?

The primal question is determined by prevalent forage and what size and species of game fi sh youre seeking. Cookie-cutter dolphin and even small keen-eyed blackfi ns wont hesitate chasing down a 4-inch lure. On the fl ip side, the recent winter season saw an infl ux of blue marlin off Floridas east coast. The experienced credit the increase in numbers to water temps. Even juvenile 200-pound blues make short work of doubledigit dolphin or 10-pound tuna. Exerting so much energy to chase down a meal requires the reward be well worth the effort. Would an adult lion waste energy chasing a mouse?

And fi nally, if you understand every point in this article then you know trolling becomes much more enjoyable and exciting once the technical aspects become second nature. For example selecting and setting a pattern of lures and tuning them so they track just right in your wake should take a lot less time than reading about it. There are many other aspects that need to be correct in your trolling system such as drag settings, use of additional teasers, outriggers etc. which we have in the past or will deal with in the future, but no matter how much of a perfectionist you are, the most important things to remember are focus your efforts around structure and exercise persistency. Until next time, get hooked up!

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