How fast can you troll a birdie?

[Jared D]

I am wanting to start incorporating a birdie or two in my wahoo spread. Was wondering how fast you can drag em?

I prefer HS trolling for hoos, and want to be able to pull em around 14 knots, but cant imagine they would function at that speed. Anyone ever got em up there in speed? Any success on em over 10 knots?

[FinRazr]

I'm sure it will depend on the bird.Drag the hell out of it I imagin the worst that could happen is it jumps in and out of the water and a 180lb hoo airs out on it.

[Tuna Taxi]

I'd be surprized if you could run an off-the-shelf bird at that speed, but if you found a slender one and trimmed the wings down a little shorter you will be able to speed it up. I still don't know if 14 kts will be possible, might need to add some weight.

Then once you get the bird so it will stay in the water and splash like hell, you'll need a rod/reel that can hold it. By the time you get a rig stout enough for what you're pulling, anything but a real pig hoo might be an underwhelming experience. But a real slob hitting you at 14 kts might be interesting! Good luck, hopefully someone else has better advice for you.

[Jared D]

Interesting points. I actually am making my own birdies now, so I can make em to fit the situation if needed! My fear is that the birdie would skip, load up, then come skeetering ahead, fouling the lure in the process. Thanks for the replies!

[Patudo]

Jared,

Any photos of your homemade birds? What type of bird are you patterning them after?

Regards

P.

[Jared D]

Jared,

Any photos of your homemade birds? What type of bird are you patterning them after?

Regards

P.

Will try to remember to take a pic of them soon.

I am basing them off a boone bird for the most part. Its the material being used for the construction thats the cats meow!

[fishskipper]

On the High speed, I don't think a bird is the way to go. something that doesn't smoke seems to be the way to go per www.wahooking.com and I'll have to agree with him. Slow trolling yes I think the commotion may help!

[yachtsnc]

Moldcraft made some "soft" birds a while ago. They might hold up at the higher speeds.

[WAHOONBOX]

I LOVE TO MAKE MY OWN LURES....AND WHILE I NEVER WRITE ABOUT USING A BIRD....I DO KNOW THAT THAT ATTRACT AND CATCH......I BET IT'S SAFE TO SAY I WAS THE FIRST OUTER BANX GUY TO PULL A BIRD.....BOONE BIRD IT WAS...ORANGE IN COLOR!.....I THINK ORANGE PRODUCED MORE ATTACKS BEHIND IT THAN ANY OTHER COLOR...

YOU WILL NOTE THIS BIRD PICTURED HERE IS MAHI SCHEME.....AND WILL HOLD UP TO ANY SPEED ....ANY CONDITIONS

I BUILT THIS ONE OVER 10 YRS AGO ...IT IS THE LAST OF 8 THAT I CLONED IN MY GARAGE.

IT WILL NOT INVERT WHILE TROLLING WITH THE EGG IN PLACE ....IF IT DOES, IT QUICKLY RIGHTS ITSELF

[Jared D]

IT WILL NOT INVERT WHILE TROLLING WITH THE EGG IN PLACE ....IF IT DOES, IT QUICKLY RIGHTS ITSELF

Mine will be made from a softer medium, but I like that one. I have an old wood one that I really like. I am going to try a few out and see how it works.

Fishskipper, I agree that silent teasers (which I have made plenty styles) work well in front of high speed baits, lately, I have been thinking that a big wahoo lure, in a predatory fish color (green white, or blk/purple) would look great chasing a bird that is buggering here and there in "sheer panic." Imagine a birdie amped up and "skittering" to the point it appears to be on Meth or bout to be crushed by said chasing lure! I am just guessing, but I am thinking as long as the wahoo lure can stay tangle free and the bird stays in the drink and together, that it would really strike the fancy of a wahoo. I think some testing is in order while the blow is keeping everyone inside the rivers. Maybe I need to drag a few to see what they can handle on the next trip to the flounder and red hole! (I bet that will draw some attention, me pulling a 50W with big lures and teasers behind a 17 foot flats boat at 14 knots!)