Box, others, wahoo rigging question.

[budwiller]

Hey guys, I finally made it out to the stream in my 26 southport this year over memorial day weekend. Auto pilot at 28 knots out there and back at 32, just cruising. Boated a few nice mahi and the time with my dad and little brother was priceless. My question pertains to the wahoo rig. Now I don't have a planer rod, however I have recently aquired "the MATANZA." I have a few trolling weights 16 and 32 oz. I have a down rigger, with ball or planer, but I have heard that the hum of a downrigger can send the tuna running. So how should I sink the matanza or any wahoo bait (although it seems watching these videos that there is no need for anything else). I know I need to get it down. If I stick to the trolling weights, do I need to lengthen my cable or can you put some sort of intermediate mono leader between the weight and the wire. I didn't know if that weight could affect the lure being close to it. Any and all suggestions (other than buy a planer rod ) are encouraged and greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[POON MAN]

not having a planer rod as of yet i sometimes use a seperate planer off the stern cleat to get them down a bit

[O-SEA-D]

Budwiller, I have a couple different sized trolling weights that I use sometimes.

All of my trolling weights have squid shells over them as well.

I use a 50' piece of 100 lb test leader between the weight and the lure. I connect the 50' leader to the #8 piano wire with a small Spro 80lb barrel swivel. My wire leader is 18'.

Sure you can shorten it up, but I prefer to be as stealthy as I can. Therefore I go with the longer leaders.

As you know everyone will have their own way. This is mine and it works for me.

[Bert Rodgers]

The 1st step is to remove the cable from the down rigger and replace it with 200# mono or 400# braid. This eliminates the "hum".

If you run a planer off the down rigger get the largest Old Salty available.
You will need a few long-line clips (no swivels) and a box of #64 rubber bands.

Attach the planer to the DR line with a 400# ball bearing snap swivel.
Now you are ready to roll.

When you get to the rip deploy the planer to the desired depth( Note that there is nothing on the planer, just a planer being pulled from the down rigger.)and let your bait out 80'-100' feet behind the transom. Now put the LL clip on the planer line so the line is inside the clip but not clipped.


Tightly wrap the rubber band on the fishing line and clip the ubber band to the LL clip.

With the clicker on, let out line from the reel. The drag from the bait will pull the clip down the planer line. When a fish hits, the band breaks and game on.
If he he comes off, no need to pull in the planer. Just grab another clip.

Also you don't have to retrieve the plane to check/change baits. Just real it up and unclip it.

side note: I have modified the hook of the LL clips with a pair of channel locks to make putting it on the line easier. Also use the larger 5 or 6" stainless steel LL clips. The little ones won't work.




Bert

[Glenn W]

I wish to go back to the fundamental guestion---- He wants to catch Wahoo's.
I've caught a couple Wahoos in Carolina over the years, with the vast majority coming off the surface bite. If you want Wahoo's, the main thing is you have to fish where they are-- 20--40 ftms off OBX ( In general). A good ole Sea Witch on the Long Riggers is tough to beat and many days the Wahoo will hit this over anything else. Ain't nothing wrong at all with pulling your new Matanza (aka Upright troller) without a weight on your longs or bridge pole.
Don't get me wrong, I don't go Wahoo hunting without my planer rod, but many a Wahoo are caught up top--- just aviod smoking type lures.
As far as getting a bait down, trolling weights and downriggers will get the job done. I don't like trolling weights due to the headache and tendancy to get bit on the weight. As Bert said, if you want to use a downrigger, get rid of the steel cable-- I would use spectra. There are many ways to rig the downrigger, from rubberbands to release clips. Nothing beats a dedicated and specialized planer rod, however.
Finally, I rarely catch Wahoo on my flat lines with ballyhoo (last fall was the exception). I don't know why, but it is much more than a coincidence. Some guys do well by trolling a big plug right in the wash---- not for me though.
Follow the 30 fathom line up and down the beach and you will find the hoo's-- concentrate on structure and ledges. Also, when you pick up a Wahoo over a snag, do not leave it--- there is almost always a few buddies with him.

[budwiller]

Thanks guys this is great. Just a little more information about where I am fishing. We dock out of figure eight harbour just north of wrightsville beach. Actually we use Masonboro Inlet. So, if I make it to the stream it is usually the Same Ole, or Steeples, etc.. One of our downriggers coincidentally was just spooled with braid. So I might try that.

And for the fishermen with the trolling weight...am I correct in understanding that you would have to wire in close to 70 ft of line and wire due to the weight? I can't imagine on a 50+ pound hoo off of a 26cc. I'd do it in a heartbeat though.

Anyway, keep it coming guys and thanks again.

[O-SEA-D]

Thanks guys this is great. Just a little more information about where I am fishing. We dock out of figure eight harbour just north of wrightsville beach. Actually we use Masonboro Inlet. So, if I make it to the stream it is usually the Same Ole, or Steeples, etc.. One of our downriggers coincidentally was just spooled with braid. So I might try that.

And for the fishermen with the trolling weight...am I correct in understanding that you would have to wire in close to 70 ft of line and wire due to the weight? I can't imagine on a 50+ pound hoo off of a 26cc. I'd do it in a heartbeat though.

Anyway, keep it coming guys and thanks again.

Yeah, that is correct. Its a pain in the butt and can be dangerous. YOu can also use a shorter mono leader if you like to make it easier on you.

Planer rod's are much easier.

Like Glenn said, lots of Wahoo bites are up top too.

Give yoru DR a try and see how it works.

I don't use the trolling weight very often. However, when I do use it, it works for me.

Glenn....Excellent points you made.

[ice cream man]

Hey wait a minute I know you. What's up Will? I got so stoked after seeing your catch of Mahis, ( thanks again for sharing your catch...) that I went the next day & only caught 1 bailer........ICM
I got 80 feet of 300# mono you can cleat off to get your Planer down, then slide a double snap swivel with a # 64 rubber band wrapped around your running line after letting your bait or lure out..........ICM
Hope to see you soon...........

[clt_capt]

Thanks guys this is great. Just a little more information about where I am fishing. We dock out of figure eight harbour just north of wrightsville beach. Actually we use Masonboro Inlet. So, if I make it to the stream it is usually the Same Ole, or Steeples, etc.. One of our downriggers coincidentally was just spooled with braid. So I might try that.

And for the fishermen with the trolling weight...am I correct in understanding that you would have to wire in close to 70 ft of line and wire due to the weight? I can't imagine on a 50+ pound hoo off of a 26cc. I'd do it in a heartbeat though.

Anyway, keep it coming guys and thanks again.

I used to run a trolling lead on a wireline rig - It was a serious pain - the weight swinging plus having to hand line all of the leader. I'm much happier with a great planer rod (Finrazor), but if the trolling leads are all you've got, I don't see why you couldn't rig them just like a sniper rig and remove the trolling weight - BUT - I HAVEN'T TRIED IT.

A cleat planer will probably out fish it - a lot easier to deal with and a lot cheaper...

Good Luck!!!!

[hotrodmarlin]

A trolling weight to 15' wire leader works just fine if that's all you have.