High Speed Trolling for Wahoo

[gtrfred]

you definitley need the weight with the cable run through it. the weight doesnt have a hole in it. the cable is inserted into the mold of the weight and then lead is poured into it. so the cable becomes part of the weight.

I think you can order them from anthony's website. check around with some other places - capt Harry's in Miami, a local guy in Miami, sudden strike leads, also hand makes them.

good luck it is definitely a productive way to fish.

ps- if you are in Boca, Rays offshore tackle has all the stuff you need locally.

[WahooKing]

I don't wanna completely derail this thread but I have some questions on high speed trolling and the guy who strarted this thread obviously has it down to a fine science. Awesome job on slaying the wahoo by the way guys!!!!


In reference to trolling weights...

I have never tried high speed trolling but I am really intrigued by it. In fact, I just ran out and bought a bunch of stuff after seeing this thread so I can give it a try pretty soon. I have a ton of questions on this subject but I will start with trolling weights. I have only seen the trolling weights with the eye molded into the weight. I think the official term is(brass sinker eyes). I am thinking that this is an extreme weak link and I was looking at Wahookings website where he has a trolling weight with a hole running through it so it eliminates the brass sinker eyes and makes for a more secure rig. Am I over-reacting when I think the trolling weights with brass sinker eyes are a weak link? I can't find the trolling weights with a hole running all the way through them. Can they be purchased or is that more of a custom job? I have a ton of dive weights and was thinking of buying a mold so I can make a few of my own trolling weights that mimmick wahookings. Do any of you guys make your own trolling weights for high speed trolling and if so, where is the best place to get the mold? Sorry I have so many questions about one specific thing but I really wanna try this type of fishing out!!!

Again, awesome job slaying those wahoo!!!

Cheers,

Dave

As Fred said...We pour them on rigged 900lb cable...I work in conjunction with Sudden Strike...my rigging...his lead...Here is a pic of the old trolling sinkers.



The new sinkers by Sudden Strike and myself have a different shape...more narrow and a tad longer...more aqua dynamic...notice the difference...Also,same rigging



Your hunch about the trolling sinkers with the brass rings is spot on...They can be a weak link...plus it requires extra rigging...Back in the days, we did make trolling sinkers with a hole straight through, crimped on both ends of sinker...Problem was you could never get the crimp against the lead...there was always a small void...as a result the lead would wobble and click against the crimps....No Bueno

Please feel free to ask any questions

Anthony
Ace Fishing Lures
www.wahooking.com

[controlled chaos]

Thanks!!! I really appreciate the advice and I will look further into getting the weights that have been molded around the wire. Let me ask you this... As far as my tackle goes, I am planning on dragging 2 rigs. Both are on 5'6" 40-100lb bent butt rods with 50w tiagras. Right now the 50w's have 60lb momoi mono on them but I am planning on swapping that out for braid real soon. 80lb braid is the plan. Are these rigs stout enough to drag a 2lb weight or do you think that I will run into problems? I don't have very much heavy tackle quite yet. My 2nd set of rigs are 5'6" 20-50lb straight butts with 30w internationals each with 600yds of 80lb braid and a 200+yd topshot of 60lb ande. Are these rigs considered too small to high speed troll with or can they get the job done? If they are big enough then I would gladly integrate them into the spread. I am guessing that a 1lb trolling weight would be the max for these rods. Having 4 rods in a highspeed spread can get tricky I'm sure. What is the best way to keep them from getting boogered up? I am sure that I'm in over my head here but this is getting me pretty pumped!

Thanks for being so dang helpful to a cherry!!!

Dave

[WahooKing]

Thanks!!! I really appreciate the advice and I will look further into getting the weights that have been molded around the wire. Let me ask you this... As far as my tackle goes, I am planning on dragging 2 rigs. Both are on 5'6" 40-100lb bent butt rods with 50w tiagras. Right now the 50w's have 60lb momoi mono on them but I am planning on swapping that out for braid real soon. 80lb braid is the plan. Are these rigs stout enough to drag a 2lb weight or do you think that I will run into problems?

Line capacity is not the issue but rather will the drags hold...You should be fine with 80lb braid or 80lb mono on the 50's...Your drags should be set just beyond the point where your line is not creeping off the reel.

I don't have very much heavy tackle quite yet. My 2nd set of rigs are 5'6" 20-50lb straight butts with 30w internationals each with 600yds of 80lb braid and a 200+yd topshot of 60lb ande. Are these rigs considered too small to high speed troll with or can they get the job done?

You will be below the suggest threshold...You must have the proper tools/outfits to get the job done...If outfits were on bent butts, you might be able to get away with braid...However, you will have problems with drags sticking and there will be lots of pressure on rod tips and guides. I've seen 30's blow up and small rods/guides break like toothpicks...Also, a topshot is not needed...you will have enough stretch with the shock leader...Its mainline (braid) to 300lb+ ballbearing snap...attached to trolling sinker rig...attached to 15' of 400lb mono shock cord...attached to 3-4' of cable lure leader

If they are big enough then I would gladly integrate them into the spread. I am guessing that a 1lb trolling weight would be the max for these rods. Having 4 rods in a highspeed spread can get tricky I'm sure. What is the best way to keep them from getting boogered up? I am sure that I'm in over my head here but this is getting me pretty pumped!

When you do have the proper gear, running a multiple line spread off the tip is fairly easy...Prior to fishing, mark all your lines...half hitches with floss or a sharpie mark on the braid will work...My spread is set at 100', 150', 200', 250' and 300'+ for the shotgun...equidistant....When setting your spread start with the furthest (shotgun) first and work your way in to the shortest...set all your lines at your marks...Now, you can turn on a dime and never get tangles

Thanks for being so dang helpful to a cherry!!!

Your Welcome

[Sea Draggin]

Anthony, straight butt 30's and 50's are what I am using now. That way I can get them out of the way more easily when we stop to jig.

I was humping around 80's on bent butts for a while, but found that they were overkill and the bent butts have more of a tendency to come out of the holders in rough seas (thank goodness for safety straps.)

Not that the tiagra 30's (which are completely full of braid, no top shot) won't fail someday, but for what we have going on in NC right now, they are fine for pulling 32 ounce trolling weights. Admittedly, I wouldn't put a 64 on there.

You spend much more time at it than I do with bigger fish, but I thought I would mention that I have moved back to lighter stuff.

[PurpleGold]

Sr. Surfer,

Bug-Em-Baits in Wilmington used to stock the trolling weights with cable incorporated into them. Last year Bug-Em merged with another local tackle shop, Intracoastal Angler, and I'm not sure if they still stock them but would guess they probably do. Give them a call and see. On another wahoo related note, this is the only store in Wilmington that I know of that stocks #9 Piano Wire.

[gtrfred]

Anthony,

Have you ever had problems with the barrel swivel on the weight? I was surprised to see that a ball bearing swivel wasn't used.

Also, I normally have set mine up with no snap swivel on the weight and then use two snap swivels (one on each end) of the shock cord. That way should a swivel get old or not look 100% its an easier change (for me) to swap out than try to re swag the 900 cable on the weight. I cant really take credit for the idea. Josh from LMR set me up on my first rig like that years ago.

By no means am I criticizing what you are doing. You have many thousands time more experience at this than I do and certainly the proof that your set up works extremely well.

the new designed weights look killer. I may have to change out some of my older ones.

Fred

[WahooKing]

Anthony,

Have you ever had problems with the barrel swivel on the weight? I was surprised to see that a ball bearing swivel wasn't used.

Also, I normally have set mine up with no snap swivel on the weight and then use two snap swivels (one on each end) of the shock cord. That way should a swivel get old or not look 100% its an easier change (for me) to swap out than try to re swag the 900 cable on the weight. I cant really take credit for the idea. Josh from LMR set me up on my first rig like that years ago.

By no means am I criticizing what you are doing. You have many thousands time more experience at this than I do and certainly the proof that your set up works extremely well.

the new designed weights look killer. I may have to change out some of my older ones.

Fred

If you have a ball bearing on your mainline, and a ball bearing on your shock cord, the median snap swivel is not that important...The barrel snaps are rated the same as the ball bearings...I've never had one issue on the median barrel snap swivel.

I'm not a big fan with two swivel on a shock cord...I prefer an eye w/ thimble on one end and snap swivel on the other....Everyone has their own idea on how to tweak the system..I get several calls a week on tweaking issues...I've seen and heard it all...double swivels...rigging to take off the trolling sinkers so you can wind on, rubber bands on 20's at HS, etc....If it works, fine...They will have problems in the long run...high speed fishing is just a different game...esp. in rough seas and when the Big Girl hits...We spend to much money on gas, tournaments, time and effort not to have this system perfected.

[WahooKing]

Anthony, straight butt 30's and 50's are what I am using now. That way I can get them out of the way more easily when we stop to jig.

I was humping around 80's on bent butts for a while, but found that they were overkill and the bent butts have more of a tendency to come out of the holders in rough seas (thank goodness for safety straps.)

Not that the tiagra 30's (which are completely full of braid, no top shot) won't fail someday, but for what we have going on in NC right now, they are fine for pulling 32 ounce trolling weights. Admittedly, I wouldn't put a 64 on there.

You spend much more time at it than I do with bigger fish, but I thought I would mention that I have moved back to lighter stuff.

You know my moto...Fish in the Box...And Fast...What's overkill?

In all seriousness...You can get away with the lighter tackle and braid...However, there are so many variables that can play into the game...sea conditions, weeds, your speed etc. Best to go with the heavier tackle which takes the variables and errors out of the equation.

Yes, bent butts can come out of the holders...depends on make of rod holders vs. the make of bent butts...some are just a tighter fit...some are loose....Regardless, safety lines are a must...The pics will show you that

[rileysea]

Went out of Charleston Last weekend. Caught 3 fish in 2 hours and came home!

Also, pic from Febuary out of Charleston, 5 BIG wahoos in 5hours .