What size squid do most troll on your spreader bars?

[Ktrain]

In the Va beach and NC area what size squid do most of you use on your spreader bars? I have been using 8" but thinking of stepping it up to the big 11" or 14" bulb squid.....

[whitey]

When high speed trolling for yellowfin,longfin or school size bluefin I like to use 9 inch squids. For slow trolling bigeyes and medium/giant bluefins I use 16 inch squids.

[Persistence]

There is always the "match the hatch" theory and I believe in it...I just don't have enough cash to buy that many bars (I like to run three at a time). So, I run 8 inch Canyon Runner rainbow bars on my short riggers and either a 12" or 15" large squid titanium bar short in the middle of the spread. My bud rigged up the first 15" squid bar I ever saw used and I laughed when I saw it and when he put it out...I quit laughing when it was continually pounded throughout the day. So, I have a 15" pink, 15" blue/white, 12" Green, 12" green/blue/white, two 8" rainbow as well as three mini mamba bars (mini green machines) I use when green machines are producing well. The big bars are run off a rod tip, the smaller bars (8" squids and mambas) are run from the short riggers. I use either a sea witch/meat trailer or a green machine trailer on my bars. A chart/green witch with a med bally behind the canyon runner bars was very effective for me this year. If the bite is good, the big squid bar will stay in the boat as it is in the middle of the spread (in the way at times) and used mainly to bring fish up to my flats...which it does and it catches it's fair share as well.

On my buds larger boat, we fish the bars off the gunnel and sometimes one in the middle off the tower. Usually large 13" squids and the infamous rasta bars...large.

I fish out of VA Beach.

[frankypettolina]

I have always had better luck using 6 and eight inch squids, and lots of them per bar.

I never seem to do well with the big squids. But you troll near the Marli and some of the other hot tuna boats in OC and you will see some monster chains and bars in their spread, so they definitely work.

I think the key to success is finding what works behind your boat, having confidence in it and sticking with it. Good luck to ya.

[Ktrain]

thanks for the responses, i have good luck with my smaller squids, but i'm really thinking about trying the big 14"-15" shells, as they say "bigger the bait, bigger the fish" im trying to nail a 100lb+ tuna this year. so far about 70lb is the biggest on my boat, lookin' for that monster!!!

[frankypettolina]

Big Bait=Big Fish. That is true. But never forget that elephants eat peanuts.

The biggest yellowfin I have caught off of OC was a 144 that ate a dink bally on 60 pound leader.

The biggest yellowfin I caught in Hawaii was 189 (gutted) that ate a small bullet on the shotgun rod.

I think sometimes the big stuff raises them and then they pick off whatever strikes their fancy.

If you have been thinking about pulling the bigger stuff you should give it a shot and see if it works behind your rig. It definitely can't hurt.

[Persistence]

I've yet to get or see a bigeye or a lg yellowfin on the big baits but for sure, I'm hopeful that it will happen...I've had little 20 pounders blast those big bars. It's funny (some times) watching a school of false albacore or mahi hit that big bar. They have a field day on it (until one gets the hook in his mouth).

Anyway, like Franky said, give it a shot.

Good luck! You going this weekend?

[Ktrain]

I have to pass this weekend. Weather is a bit to iffy outta VB, but will be heading out next week for sure. In NC I always see the charters pulling very large bulb squid in there bars and chains but then the hook bait is just a standard witch/hoo or islander/hoo.

[bobdu11]

Come on Craig meet me at Owls Creek Sunday at 0415....let's do it....Bob

[Tristan]

I believe there is scientific data suggesting fish will strive to consume the most protien while using the fewest calories possible. That means small bait fish are in trouble. Bigger bait is just too stronge and harder to catch and therefore less desirable to predator fish. It makes sense smaller lures and bait catch big fish.