Help with Trolling Spreads!?

[hamer31]

OK so I Have had some success just throwing lures out on any rod and some quite good results at that, but I know there is a better way of doing it. I know there are ways of making look like a school of fish. I have no idea about how this is done... how do you guys set up your spreads? I know this seems wierd but there is one lure that seems to have the best results for me especially for Mahi and that's a 4 inch red/white cedar plug. How could I incorporate that better into my spread if I were re-working it? i love offshore fishing and I really want to understand it a lot better and you guys are some of the best so i would appreciate any help. thanks guys!

[Bodie]

I'll keep it short and sweet and repeat what Box said in an earlier post and makes lots of sense when you think about it. I 've never seen a school of fish swin together that don't look the same. Keep your spread basically the same color, same style rig, maybe throw in one odd ball. For MHC in NC all B/W or all P/W with one of the other thrown in. THis had worked for us I'm sure others will have more to add.

[frankypettolina]

try rigging your cedar plugs in a daisy chain. 3 in a row about 3 feet between each one. Run them right behind the prop wash and the school tunas will pound them.

[ancient mariner]

HI:
BASIC all around spread . Nothing fancy or crazy.
T'ZERS in front of each lure in your spread.
4 inch CEDARS UP CLOSE TO THE TRANSOME. Keep it clipped down low.
6-8 inch plastic /feather lures , clipped down low.
12 inch plastic lures that run deeper and further back in your spread.
Tuna BIRDS in front of most of your lures from the second thru the 5th wake wave.
SPREADER Bars (2),on the outside of your spread. I like 'em to weave back and forth on top of the wake. YES, you can place them anywhere your comfortable with. Some guys will put three or more out in their spread. THis is a killer way to fish for some fishermen. Size of teh squid depends on what the fish like. I prefer the 6-9 inch plastic aquid for everyday fishing . WARNING...WARNING...WARNING... For Giants I like the 12-16 inch(YES,16inch) sizes for these fish. Most of my fish That I caught, are up in Canada on 12-16 inch squid chains.
Questions for you:
What size boat?
O/B,I/B, ?
Deisel/Gas?
O/riggers?
What is the predominate fish your after?
Where do you fish? I feel that answering those questions, I can design a A SPREAD that fits your fishing best.
Most guys and gals will tell you what they use. This is GOOD. You must then refine your spread to WHAT WORKS BEST for you and your boat.
WACKM 'N STACKM
Joseph B...aka...Ancient Mariner

Fishing shows for 2008:
In and have a chat with me.I hope to be giving seminars at the shows.
I'll be at the SUFFERN show
I'll be at the PASADENA Show
I'll be at the TIMONIUM show

[rarhomes]

It's all about trying new lures, baits and rigs. Keep it simple, try new ideas and if there is one tip I can give someone is pay attention to what is going on around you, the ocean changes minute by minute. And this may sound weird but if the birds like your spread the fish will to. What color are the bait fish where you are fishing?? Deep water where I fish = fliers, fliers, fliers = blue&white, blue&white and blue&white. That doesn't mean your can't catch a fish on green & yellow or white&pink. But try a little bit of everything, learn your basic rigs and most defiantly learn to make a ballyhoo swim. When put that ballyhoo in the water and he swims like he's alive, you just know it ain't goian last long. 4 swimming ballyhoo's are hard to beat.

LOL

Capt. Rick

[hamer31]

HI:
BASIC all around spread . Nothing fancy or crazy.
T'ZERS in front of each lure in your spread.
4 inch CEDARS UP CLOSE TO THE TRANSOME. Keep it clipped down low.
6-8 inch plastic /feather lures , clipped down low.
12 inch plastic lures that run deeper and further back in your spread.
Tuna BIRDS in front of most of your lures from the second thru the 5th wake wave.
SPREADER Bars (2),on the outside of your spread. I like 'em to weave back and forth on top of the wake. YES, you can place them anywhere your comfortable with. Some guys will put three or more out in their spread. THis is a killer way to fish for some fishermen. Size of teh squid depends on what the fish like. I prefer the 6-9 inch plastic aquid for everyday fishing . WARNING...WARNING...WARNING... For Giants I like the 12-16 inch(YES,16inch) sizes for these fish. Most of my fish That I caught, are up in Canada on 12-16 inch squid chains.
Questions for you:
What size boat?
O/B,I/B, ?
Deisel/Gas?
O/riggers?
What is the predominate fish your after?
Where do you fish? I feel that answering those questions, I can design a A SPREAD that fits your fishing best.
Most guys and gals will tell you what they use. This is GOOD. You must then refine your spread to WHAT WORKS BEST for you and your boat.
WACKM 'N STACKM
Joseph B...aka...Ancient Mariner

Fishing shows for 2008:
In and have a chat with me.I hope to be giving seminars at the shows.
I'll be at the SUFFERN show
I'll be at the PASADENA Show
I'll be at the TIMONIUM show

My boat is a 29 foot Aquasport, twin I/B, Gas, single spreader riggers only rigged for one line each... interesting to see the cedar plug comment because i always clip them low right in the propwash and that has been my most consistent lure. i personally am looking for bigger Mahi, some Wahoo and Yellowfin though any tuna will do, oh and I wouldn't mind a marlin but i wouldn't have the first clue as to how to tame one of them at the boat

thanks for all the help guys!!

is the suffern show the one in NY?

[WAHOONBOX]

It's all about trying new lures, baits and rigs. Keep it simple, try new ideas and if there is one tip I can give someone is pay attention to what is going on around you, the ocean changes minute by minute. And this may sound weird but if the birds like your spread the fish will to. What color are the bait fish where you are fishing?? Deep water where I fish = fliers, fliers, fliers = blue&white, blue&white and blue&white. That doesn't mean your can't catch a fish on green & yellow or white&pink. But try a little bit of everything, learn your basic rigs and most defiantly learn to make a ballyhoo swim. When put that ballyhoo in the water and he swims like he's alive, you just know it ain't goian last long. 4 swimming ballyhoo's are hard to beat.

LOL

Capt. Rick

WELL FREAKING SAID HERE CAPITANO!

[hamer31]

is there a post about rigging ballyhoo? i think i might have seen it but i can't find it... thanks again for the help guys!

[ancient mariner]

HI:
Twin engine create a different spread for the close in lures.
Speaking of Cedars:
I would keep the Cedars, etall , in the dark colors clipped as CLOSE to the prop wash as I could. That way the lures will flash and dart just outside the white water. Besides Red/White , try the dark Blue with Yellow or the all Purple colors at this spot. I put a three T'ZER setup right in front of each lure, color matching too. The T'Zers are 4,3/4 inch double skirted and are NO further away form the hook CEDAR than 3-4 feet from the last T'ZER. That way the T'ZERS catch the fish eye, BUT HOME IN ON THE CEDAR.MMMMMMMM.
If I could, I would put out a 6 Inch Cedar with three T'zers back in between the propwash, clipped down low. This one would be about three wake waves back and weighted to keep it down. This one will usually (for me at least) catch the bigger Yellowfin. Yellow or bright colors here.
The 2nd wake will usually have the next size up lures. Here I make sure that all the YFT that come up the Chine wake will pounce on these lures. Here I Keep teh T'ZER setups bouncing off the wake waves front shoulder
BUT keeping the lure(6inch) in the middle of the wake wave. Here u will catch most of the Tuna that come in from the sides of your spread. A TUNA BIRD in front of thew T'ZER lure setup will (on a clam day) bring up lots of Yellowfin from BELOW the thermocline. I've trolled over a bunch and watched them come SLOWLY up and upand finally crashed the lures. HINT....HINT.....HINT....KEEP YOUR FISHFINDER "ON" as soon as you get out to the grounds. YOu'll see mor and catch more fish.
On the o/rigger , I'll put a TUNBA BIRD followed bya EITHER a CHUUGER or a feather/plastic lure behind three T'ZERS. On this setup, I'll put on a GYO(green,yellow,orange) bird,T'ZER and EITHER a ballyhoo rig or a swimming plug as my 1st choice. I would change off to a darker color by midday than back againb as the day wares on. The lure should be Chrome/Jet or Chrome feather lure. HINT...HINT...HINT... I would ADD a strip of COLOR CODED Pork Rind to the hook. HINT...HINT..HINT... Cut the last three inches of the pork rind in a long length to add MORE action.
The next wake wave will have the biggest lures in the spread. Here, I'll put out a 10-12 inch straight runner behind the inevitable three(3) T'ZER setup. I would add 1/4-1/2 ounce egg sinkers behind each T'ZER. I would have a 5-6 foot leader behind the last T'ZER . Here the Marlin that lookup at your spread will surly come up to FURTHER look over your spread. Try it!
I like to put a HEAVY Jet also here. This will either KILL 'EM or NOTHING happenes. When it does the fish will be big ugly and CTRASH that lure. I figure, I may only get one or two fish a season here, BUT BIG BUBBA WILL BE IN THIS PART OF THE SPREAD.
Back in the spread where your propwash starts to turn to champagne bubbles, is where I'd put out my biggest lur behind the biggest bird/T'ZER combo I could troll. I found that this is another spot where most of the biggest fish will be hung. It seems(to me) that they come up from below and cruise deep UNDER your spread looking for a DECENT meal. From the tower you can see them looking and looking and finally come up to your spread (hopefully).
With twin engines, you have a good side (where both props direct the water). This will usually be the side where most of your action will take place. I would place more attention to proper lure positioning on this side.
By this I mean the action of the lure will be most intense. Here I would make sure that ANY lure will be PLACED in the middle of each wake wave, NOT on the front or rear shoulder.Y?.'Cause youll catch more Billfish on eth front or rear of each wake wave. All my records show me where to place each lure for my intended catch.
Spreader bars:
Lots of GOOD bars are made from different materials. I make mine from space aged plastic. Mine make the plastic squids move in and out on the troll. I feel athat makes the squid more attractive. I CANNOT PROVE THAT, IT'S ONLY MY OPINION. It works for me. Squidnation and others make GREAT BARS. Look around ask questions and decide ONLY after you get enough info on how and where you fish and what kinds of rod/reel you are using.
7-10 inch Tuna birds with Turbo tails.
HINT...HINT...HINT... Cover the snapswivel with a double 4,3/4 inch plastic squid. Y? This causes the NOISE that the snapswivel makes to be quieted and out of the TUNAS hearing. IT WORKS!
AS for my pick of what lures I would take:
I give info on all the lures I know will work on my website. You can see them and read up on them there.
All would have three(3) T'ZER setups in front of each lure.
4inch Cedars
6inch Cedars
5-6 inch feathers with chrome heads
6inch plastic straight running lures
8inch plastic straight running lures
10-12 inch straight running lures

I hope to be able to give seminars on offshore fishing and Tips for DOORMATTER Fluke at each of the shows I'll be at. The SUFFERN show is in NY. Actually its across the HUDSON and is a BIG draw from ALL the surrounding states. It runs from Thursday thru Sunday. I strongly urge anyone to go this show. It's about the biggest on the EAST COAST in my opinion that is.
HINT...HINT...HINT... When your trolling, keep in mind that when u change direction, YOU ARE ACTALLY going agianst/with/across the wind and tide for that day. Your speed will change. Sometimes drastically . Watch your rpms and speed. You may need to reset all your lures to keep them in your sweet spots. To many fisherman neglect this and don't do as well. I found that sometimes as small a change as 6 inches to a foot means a great catch.
Again, if you can, get to the SUFFERN SHOW. You will enjoy it. ONE MORE THING. Go early, this show gets crowded and it's hard to move around.
WACKM 'N STACKM
Joseph B...aka...Ancient Mariner

SUFFERN SHOW
PASADENA SHOW
TIMONIUM SHOW

[Captain Fred Archer]

Jeezum! My head's a spinnin' like a top and I'm getting all dizzy and stuff! Man, it's 2 amen in the morning and I wish I hadn't tuned into this one until tomorrow.

Hamer, please advise where you are fishing.

I have a much simpler approach to big game fishing than some, more along the lines of the fellow or fellows who preached running the same size colors and lures to represent what really happens in nature. We call those kinds of spreads "monochromatic" ones.

More tomorrow. Right now I have to go lay down and see if I can stop my head from spinning!

KISS