Difference of opinion on trolling

[reelreturn]

Some of my fishing buddies differ in their opinion on what to do after a fish is on while trolling ballyho at about 5 1/2 knots. The fish is screaming off line too. I argue that you slow the boat down to about 2 to 3 knots and keep forward motion and only pull in whatever lines that might become tangled. They argue- full speed ahead- that is maintain the 5 1/2 knots. What is the correct answer? Experts please chime in.

[ADDfishing]

HOOKED UP!!!! GO GO GO!!!!!!!

We juice em three or four times. Just a little. It simulates "fleeing prey" and can trigger multiple hookups.

(Not what we do with a marlin bite)

[offshore]

HOOKED UP!!!! GO GO GO!!!!!!!

We juice em three or four times. Just a little. It simulates "fleeing prey" and can trigger multiple hookups.

(Not what we do with a marlin bite)

Same here when tunas are the game keep on trucking for at least 30 seconds then slow down but only clear what we have too. Many more times than not we get more fish hooked up.......Mark

[Greg Manning]

I don't change anything for a short time (30 seconds or so)to let the spread play out. Many times we get tuna popping the spread after the strike if you keep on trolling. When things either don't happen or settle down I will pull back a little to clear lines/fight fish. I leave out anything long or outside that I don't think will effect getting the fish in and keep on trolling.

[reelreturn]

Same here when tunas are the game keep on trucking for at least 30 seconds then slow down but only clear what we have too. Many more times than not we get more fish hooked up.......Mark

That is exactly what I do- always slow down during the fight. I leave the boat at the same speed for a few moments before slowing down. My friends want to keep the same speed throughout the fight which I feel causes them to lose fish

[BTH284]

Leave in gear if possible. Keep as many baits in the water as possible too and clear and replace back what is in the way. Big fish clear all and angle chase him her down.

[striper swiper]

Turn to the bite immediately. This is the why.
#1 It clears the fish that's on so all the other baits still fish.
#2 It changes the speed of every single bait in the pattern without any change in noise or vibration that can spook the bite.
#3 The fish are coming from that direction. 45 seconds at 6 knots is about 175 yds, why not stay right where they came from to try and fill the spread.
#4 Fish school in circles when spooked. Your making your pattern look like something that is suppose to happen. Running straight away is not what happens in nature. I know every writer has written you must go straight for the last 40 or so years. Doesn't mean that they are right.
Plenty of other reasons but that's enough for now

[N2theBlue]

turn toward the bite at speed. I never slow down unless i have a real tough fish on

[Greg Manning]

I'm gonna try turning into the bite. Say you get hit.....turn how many degrees?

[calebw]

Don't fix it if it aint broke, 6- 5.5 knots with a seawitch and medium ballyhoo down right puts meat in the boat. After a bite keep trolling for 30 seconds then slow to idle.