Trolling and offshore rigging.

[Killing_Time]

Hello everyone, This is one of my first posts here on the site. I normally just read in the shadows and take in all the information I can get. I have been offshore fishing for a couple years now. I fish out of NJ for tuna mahi and whites. Mostly light tackle #30 with a couple #50's for bigger tuna or maybe a lucky blue. I troll out of our center console with a 6 line spread. Now my question is to you guys is what is your average setup from reel to hook. On my 30 TLDs I am running #30 mono to a 12' #50 topshot, then snap swivel to a #60 rig with a circle hook then my ballys. On the #50 setups I am running #80 mono with a snap swivel that normally goes right to my lures leader. My leaders on my lures are all mostly in the #130 to #150 range. I have read so many different ideas and setups, spectra with a mono topshot then leader. All mono, no top shot, right to the leader. I am almost overwhelmed with the different types of setups. I am just wondering what is the consensus and most of you guys are using. I have tried a search but found nothing that answered all my questions. Just looking for some more information. Thank You. Killing Time

[snowranger]

I will start by saying I am probably in the minority here with my rigs. That being said, there is something to say for the KISS method. I run 30/50/80 lb mono on my internationals based on line class (30 on 30s, 50 on 50s etc.). 80lb mono on a 50 is overkill in my opinion. For tuna fishing and mixed bag fishing I don't use any wind ons and go from mono to ball bearing snap swivel to leader. Leaders are usually 15 feet of 100 to 200 lb depending on the lure and time of year. For example, an ilander jr my have 100, green machine may have 130 and an ilander express may have 200. Circle hook rigs for dink baits are on 80lb and plugs are 250-400lb. Not that the fish cooperate, I figure my chances of hooking a big blue one on an jr ilander are smaller than on the plug so I size leader based on that assumption. Yes, you have to leader the fish by hand but for your average tuna, wahoo, white, mahi, etc., you are going to be fine. If you have a big tuna or marlin you might have a tough time but if you get to the last 15 feet, you will figure it out then!

Now, you can get the advice from the wind-on, top shot folks...!

[Killing_Time]

I do agree that the #80 on the 50 is overkill now that I think about it. Your theory makes sense to me how the odds of a big blue hitting your ilander jr are smaller. Something to think about. I am asking now so I have all winter to get myself setup, then tweak throughout the season. Thank You for the reply

[Killing_Time]

No one else has any info on the setups they use. I am not trying to steal anyone secretes here, just trying to get an idea of what most peoples setups are like. Anyone out there who would care to share besides the only generous person above and help out a fellow fisherman who is just trying to learn. ?? thank you. Killing Time

[DropinBack]

60lb on the 50s to a spero windon to a leader of 80-150lbs depending on the lure.

40lb on the 20s to a spero windon to a leader of 80-150 depending on the lure.

Most reels are backed with braid

[Killing_Time]

I am not using a wind-on leader per say. My #30 setups are spooled with hi-vis yellow momoi. I was told by a fellow fishermen friend to put a section of clear flouro tied to my main line, with the swivel attached there. His reasoning so when a suspected fish come up on my spread they do not see the hi-vis. It makes sense to me, but I am now thinking after reading your posts and other information, if I should just bimini twist my swivel to my mainline and make my leaders longer. Does this make sense?

[seapower]

Just because I do it this way doesn't make it right, but it's what I use. 50's get 50lb, 30's get 30lb mono, to a trolling swivel and 15 to 18 ft of (mostly) flouro leader. I like the idea of using the wind on leader instead of "leadering" a fish to the boat. From what I've seen most fish are lost boat side. By using the drag instead on line wrap's, if the fish makes a mad dash you have the drag of the reel. Not saying that leading a fish is not the way to do it, but I prefer the angler to handle the fish with the rod and reel drag. I find this system to be simply and it work's very well for me. Frank

[Bonehead]

I like to use clear mono for trolling anymore. I mainly target tuna and not billfish which really require a different strategy. I want my line, swivel, hook, etc as inconspicuous as possible. I fished for a few years using braid spliced to a mono leader but I swear my bites dropped off when I was dong that. I went back to all mono and have done better. If tuna is your target, then make everything as invisible as possible. Use the lightest leader and smallest terminal tackle that you can get anyway with.

[seapower]

I would add, no snap swivel's on anything other than a "bird" or a spreader bar. Frank

[92 feet down]

I use 50 on 50s, 30 on 30s. All mono. Tie a bimini in the main line, tie on a 10' wind-on 80lb (for 50s) or 60lb (for 30s) via a Bristol. Tie a snap swivel on the end & use your regular leader from there (100, 130, 150lb). This allows you to change lures quickly, plus you don't have to leader the fish very far (only 10' or so).

It's what works for me...