Tips for an Umbrella Dredge?

[twodogs]

Been doing some limited research on a new umbrella dredge and now am thoroughly confused on what would fit my setup best. I'm fishing a 29 center and want to use the dredge targeting sails in the summer here in NC. I'm still trying to decide between the mylar strips or plastics - simply don't have the time to rig naturals for the dredge. Any suggestions on number of baits, arms, etc.? I'm looking for what has worked for others.

Thanks

[sportfishingusa]

if you really want to make it count i would call baitmasters and get the naturals. they sell them pre rigged and they are not that much in my eyes for fresh split tails or anything else you could want or need.

Another option i would say is to talk to the boys over at tournament cable!! I have used some of his stuff and his dredges are TOP NOTCH!!

he has awesome hoos and awesome mullets!

I am not a big fan personally of the holographic streamers but i hear they do work! i personally like the whole fish and tournament cable has them!1
check his site out.. www.tournamentcable.com

Good luck bro!!

[BTH284]

A 36" inch or bigger and more than 1 station gets to be a handful for a smaller boat especially when trying to stow in after a hookup. I just throw whole thing in the live bait well on the transom when it gets in the way. I prefer the 24" to 28" 6 arm Ti, stls etc. Makes it easier to retrieve when pulling from a downrigger. I can hold it down with 3lbs of weight and have an addtional 2 lbs to clip on if needed if the bite seems to go downsea and the dredge wants to rise up. You can use an extenable boom uni troll or similar and run it 2'-5' at a right angle to the boat with the swivel boom. Keeps it in the clean water and more importantly you can see it and any fish that comes to it when it is kept at a proper distance and depth. This will vary from boat to boat. I use 250 lb hollow core braid on mine to deploy with.

I do like and have had great success with the strips or a combination of the strips on the outer drops and rubber fish on the inner drops. (6) 9 fish strips on the outer drops then clip on manhaden, fork tail swimmers, holofish etc to the inner drops. Then (1) one 15 strip down the middle.

[marlinrojo]

Get the strip baits you won't be disappointed
ROJO

[seavee32]

I made a double 36" dredge with the holographic fish and pull it from a downrigger on our 32' center console. I bought the pieces individually from Grand Slam Tackle and got it all done for around $200. We swivel the outrigger off the side of the boat but it can still be hard to see. We have been fishing Oregon Inlet the last couple of weeks and about 80% of our bites came on a naked ballyhoo just behind the dredge...including a blue and a couple whites. We had the dredge get whacked a couple times too. They definitely work!

[Innovator]

Two Dogs,

Dredges are a deadly tool in the search for white marlin and sailfish. Most guys are pulling 36" six arm dredges, either collapsable or fixed arm, for your size boat the collapsable may better suit your needs for stowability. As far as artificials go most guys are pulling the plastic Hologra-fish or Stripteasers. Stripteaser makes the best mylar strips in the business, they have a unique cone shaped head that allows for three mylar strips per string. Some people prefer strips over plastics or naturals because they create much less drag and require alot less weight to get the dredge down. As you get more expirienced with dredge fishing you can start expierimenting with double and triple dredges, with plastics or natural baits.

Good Luck,

Kevin

[alltackle]

I would go with a double Offshore Innovations Titanium Collapsible Dredge Bars with Holographic Baits. Pull it with a downrigger or 400# handline with a 3-5# rigged dredge weight and you are in business on those sails.

The dredge stores easily in a spreader bar bag once collapsed.



A Stripteaser dredge is highly effective as well and can be rigged on the same dredge bar

[OffTheHookB&T]

Twodogs, Alltackle's suggestion is great. Another, option though would be the Bucket Dredges from Tournament Cable. They work great for smaller boats because all you need to store is a bucket. Plus, they form a very nice looking bait ball. My suggestion for bait would be the new Match baits from Tournament Cable. I don't have a pic of them but I'll try and get one up.

[Captain Fred Archer]

WE OFFER A TOTALLY ARTIFICIAL, INEXPENSIVE, LIGHTWEIGHT, INDESTRUCTABLE, EASY-TO-USE AND EASY PULLING ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL DREDGES THAT IS IDEAL FOR SMALL OR BIG BOATS. IT IS OUR SPIDER.

THE VIDEO SAYS IT ALL, I THINK. AS IT STATES, THE SPIDER THAT YOU SEE BEING TROLLED UNDER THE MATCHING BARS IS BEING RUN OFF OF AN EIGHT OUNCE TROLLING SINKER AND I IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE LIFTING THE ROD TO GET THE SPIDER TO COME UP TO THE SURFACE SO THAT YOU CAN SEE IT CLEARLY. AN EIGHT, OR EVEN A SIX OUNCE SINKER IS ALL THAT IT TAKES TO RUN THIS DREDGE.

AVAILABLE IN NEARLY FIFTY MODELS, THIS IS ONE NEAT DREDGE THAT IS TEARING UP A MYRIAD OF SPECIES, INSHORE, OFFSHORE, AND EVEN IN FRESHWATER.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, SO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK.

4429

[Captain Fred Archer]

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE SPIDER...SQUIDS ARE SAME SIZE AS SELECT BALLYHOO. THAT PINK TUNA MODEL IS WAY UNDER A HUNDRED BUCKS. THAT BLACK AND RED PROSQUID DOWN AT THE BOTTOM IS MY FAVORITE FOR SPIDER WAHOOS.