Rigging for Islander lure (advice welcome)

[ifish4tuna]

Well since the dog fish suck so bad up here, I'm going to be using alternatives to the usual fish at anchor method this summer. Squid rigs and islander lures. 2 of each. I'm not a big troller, so this will be an alternative to what I'm used to doing. I've got NO experience w/ trolling.

My question is rigging for the islander. I know I can buy horse ballyhoo and have them shipped to maine, but couldn't I alternatively use herring? (more readily available than mackeral) - the natural food source up here.

I am not sure what size weight is used under the chin of the bally hoo. Is this a 1 once weight or is it larger? I presume the weight is really to ensure the fish swims in as much of a natural vertical motion as possible.

Do you think I'd need to go with a 2oz weight or more? The herring are about 10-12inches long. Probably about 1lb or so in weight.

Break the spine in a few spots as well as near the tail, use a wire pin through the nose on a #10 mustad hook, make sure the fish is pulled by the eye of the hook, not the curve at the belly...anything else to consider?

You're the experts, I'm just looking for alternatives w/ a little yankee ingenuity on the bait of choice.

Thanks, Ed

[Reel Fanatic]

Never rigged a herring before for fast trolling but I would think they would be prone to spinning due to the shape of their body. I think unless someone on here has done it before, you may be forced to do the trial and error thing. How easy it is to get mullet. They swim exceptionally well. Are the little Boston mackerel easy to catch right now? If so, they have a great body size and shape for trolling.

[Bluewater Sportfishing]

Ifish.
The reason to use ballyhoo is the are tougher and will last longer then a herring. If you could get a herring to not "wash out" then I would use that even a mackeral rigged would work well. But a nice big horse will last quite some time if properly rigged.

you do not want to pull from the hook....you want to pull from the head..thats why you rig with the monel and finish your raps around the bill. when you pull on the line you will see that you will pull from the head not the hook.

there are a ton off rigging videos on here take the time and check them out. wahoonbox has a bunch of rigging videos and he can rig..... there are a few for circle hooks that are top notch check them out you wont be disapointed.
as far as the weight it depends on the sea the rougher the sea go with a heavy weight up to 2oz but the norm is 1/2 to 3/4 oz weights just to get his head down and swim. before you deploy the bait swim it at the transome and make sure it swims good. you dont want it spinning or looking like a helicopter. if you are going for the big BFT then I would suggest a 12/0 9931 d (I think thats the right number) with a plastic chafe guard at the hook.
hope this helps.
tight lines

[ifish4tuna]

Good insight - thanks. I'll place the order for frozen Bally instead. I'm with you on spinning and wash out likelihood.

The mackeral are sporadic at best in availability. Once the bluefish arrive which they have, it's difficult to find them w/ any consistency. Often times they are just tinker mackeral (5 inches in length).

Thank for fast response on this subject.

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Got another question. I'll be fishing from Grady 306 center console w/ twin 250s

Can you recommend a speed to troll at.
Also recommendations on amount of propwash should exist - some? None?
How far back to have the lures from the boat. Further the better?
Should I trim the engines up or down?

Yes I'll be fishing for giant bluefin.

[Sea Frog]

As a general rule, I cut out the inner skirt of my islander rigs and don't use a chin weight on the hoo. The islander is heavy enough to stay down by himself. I have had success in this method, but can also learn a lot too.

OOOOPS, just realized that you were talking Blue Fins...that is something I know nothing about.

[Bluewater Sportfishing]

Good insight - thanks. I'll place the order for frozen Bally instead. I'm with you on spinning and wash out likelihood.

The mackeral are sporadic at best in availability. Once the bluefish arrive which they have, it's difficult to find them w/ any consistency. Often times they are just tinker mackeral (5 inches in length).

Thank for fast response on this subject.

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Got another question. I'll be fishing from Grady 306 center console w/ twin 250s

Can you recommend a speed to troll at.
Also recommendations on amount of propwash should exist - some? None?
How far back to have the lures from the boat. Further the better?
Should I trim the engines up or down?

Yes I'll be fishing for giant bluefin.

troll speed sloooooow...keep the spread to three or four rods and you need one deep. with outboards its a little tough. there is a new england forum on here down at the bottom of the forums page that alot of those guys fish for the gbt and they could give you better advise.you can put one motor in gear and your speed should be around 4 1/2 knots. to 5.2 as far as how far back you have to experiment until you get a bite. tinkers will work also match the hatch...but again the boys up there could give you better advice then I could as to what works.

[ifish4tuna]

Thanks again

[flatbottom]

I have a video that is in the beta format. As soon as I can convert it I will post some rigging tips. I believe the rigging is herring chains and mackerel chains for big north east blue fin. The quality in the conversion will be a surprise, even for me...LOL

even though they are chains ..you will get the idea for single rigging........