By Joe Ricciardi & Nick Ferrara
With the mid summer months here and the late summer months ahead it is the best time to try an over looked way of fishing. Inshore Trolling. It is one of the easiest and most exciting way to catch saltwater game fish that is over looked by most fishermen.
Most fishermen feel that they need large boats, expensive over sized reels and outriggers to catch fish like Tuna, Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi), King Mackerel, Spanish mackerel & other unseen game fish by the bottom fishermen. When in fact it doesn't take much to catch on. You will be hooked on the sound of screaming reels with your first inshore fish caught on the troll.
This article was written to help all the fishermen to get started that have not tried trolling before. We have listed the basics to help everyone get started. With these basic techniques you will be on your way to catching that first fish on the troll.
Small seaworthy boats of over 18 ft. can get into some exciting action trolling from the beach on out. For everyone wishing to give inshore trolling a try we put together some basic information on what works for us. We are by no means experts on this type of fishing, however it has been our favorite type of fishing for the past 25 years for Joe & 8 years for Nick.
When…
Approximately around the first week of July water temperatures rise to the 70-degree mark. A week or so later the more southern fish species show up inshore. First are usually Bonito, along with some remaining Bluefish. If no major southwest winds develop the water temperature will rise even more, and if baitfish show up the inshore troll will really heat up.
The Fish…
Early in the season, May-June Bluefish are present and are trolled on the inshore lumps. As the water warms the Blues move offshore and to the north. This is the time when things get interesting. Bonito are the first to show along with other warm water fish such as Spanish Mackerel followed by Dolphin and some small false Albies. If the water is clear to dark blue and temperatures stay above 72 for a few weeks and bait is present, such as sand eels or better yet squid then Bluefin Tuna may show up inshore along with some small Yellowfin usually in depths of 15 fathoms or more. Skipjack Tuna will also popup once in awhile also. These fish will usually stay in our inshore waters if the conditions hold. As the waters cool in September more and larger False Albies show up, Bonito will still be around while Dolphin and Spanish Mackerel will begin to move south and offshore. Every year is not exactly like this but it’s just an example of what to take in to account.
Your Boat & Equipment…
Weather permitting a seaworthy boat 18 foot or larger that is equipped to bottom fish off the reefs will work just fine trolling off the beach to about 15 miles offshore. As always have all safety gear in check and your power plant in top running order. A VHF radio, fish finder and good compass are a must in the ocean. A GPS plotter will show you the lumps and drop offs along with the location of your craft as you troll over bottom structures. The older still in use lorans also are useful when used with a chart to find your way from spot to spot.
Rods and Reels…
If you just want to try trolling or do this type of fishing only a few times a year you can get by with any conventional 3-0 style outfit with 30lb. Test mono. You can even use some of the older heavy fluke outfits that were used years ago by your dad. Just check the drags and tune them up, fill them up with 30 lb test mono. Once you are hooked you can purchase more specialized equipment. 20-30 lb. Light stand up rods are great, lever drag or good star drag reels on a balanced rod will take any size fish you will encounter on the inshore grounds.
Setting Up…
Most first time trollers do not have outriggers. You can start by trolling 2 rods one on each gunwale you can also troll a third rod down the center by mounted a rod holder on the transom. Another option is to use the popular rod riggers;
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they are rod holders that swing out from your gunwales spreading out your lines. They are great for guys who trailer their boats, as they are easy to store.
Lures…Joe
For starters all you need are a few basic rigs, small feathers, small Clark spoons, and a small 4-6 in plastic tuna clone type lures.
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Rig them with size 6 to 8 hooks, depending on lure size not the fish size you’re after. Use 100lb test clear mono leader 8 to 10 ft long, with a good swivel. Also rig up some daisy chain setup of 3 plastic skirt style lures on one leader the last one in the chain set back a bit further than the first two.
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Lures…Nick
I think anyone getting started must have a Daisy Chain to start.
This lure will take just about every fish out there on the troll and has been my best friend for years. Normal Daisy Chains are a gang lure of a line of Squid style lures with the last Squid rigged with the hook. All saltwater game fish will come up from behind and always hit the last Squid on the chain. This lure can be trolled on the surface or can be weighted by a trolling weight to get it down. I have done well both ways, but the past few years the weighted has been producing better. I will usually add anywhere from 2oz trolling weight to 5oz. My standard is a 3oz weight to get the lure just off the surface about 6”. I rig them on 6' to 8' clear 80lb leader with a strong swivel. I tend to keep the lures rigged closer together. I set them up 3 to 5 on a rig 12" apart from each other
Other great lures that are easy to find in most Bait & Tackle Shops are lures I run as is, with no weight. Large trolling lures like the Stretch 30 and Cedar Plugs.
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I love Cedar Plugs, but tend to stay away from trolling lure like the Stretch 30. Not because it does not catch fish. With lures of that style they can run wild and tangle with other lures on a smaller boat. If you use them make sure they are running straight at all times. They can be wacked out of place on every strike. A bad running lure can create nightmares when they tangle with other lines.
Green Machine style lures are also a favorite as well as Bullet Head style lures.
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This lure can be weighted or trolled as is. Also adding a bird can help in getting a Tuna to bite.
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Last but not least on my list is Clark Spoons.
Clark spoons are great for Bonito and Spanish Mackerel. Set them up on a leader with a trolling weight to get them down. These spoons can save the day when nothing else is working.
Places to Troll…
Trolling conditions vary on a few different factors. When you put them all together you can have a fantastic day on the troll. First and most important look for warm water. Warm water is key for most of summer time inshore game fish. If you are in the 70 degree water temperature range you are on the right track. Next is clean water. The cleaner the water the better the fishing. Next and not least look for structure. Lumps, Shoals, Holes, Ridges, Wrecks Lobster Pots and Reefs. Any kind of structure on the bottom that will hold bait fish will hold big fish. Working areas with some type of bottom change will produce good fishing action.
Some Notes…
Trolling is not as boring as some may think. You must work at it trying varied speeds, lures, etc… you can’t put out lines and go on a boat ride. Keep your eyes open for any birds, even one or two birds diving or looking from a stand still high in the sky can mean fish are in the area.
Troll into the sun early in the day.
In an outboard boat tilt up your motor on a flat day to make more wash in your wake. Place your lures in the clear patches of your wake.
Troll your lines close to any floating objects, old floating lumber, pot markers buoys, etc. Dolphin and other fish usually hang around these items.
If you see turtles, flying fish, whales. These are great signs of good water inshore work the areas. If there are lots of other boats fishing and no one is catching, stay with in the area as soon as most of the boats get bored and leave. The fish most likely will turn on.
If you see flocks of birds circling high in an area and other boats are trolling. The fish may be feeding deep. Use more weight on your leaders or use down riggers. You can also slow down to let your lures sink the speed up to give them action this may get you a hook up.
Once you get a hook up keep the boat moving you may just get another strike. As you start to fight the fish slow the boat down just enough to keep moving forward and to keep the other lines tight. Fishing the fish to the boat, small fish can be hand lined in once you grab the leader. Larger ones you can gaff. Most fish caught trolling are not hooked deep and can be released quick and easy. To fight another day…
Wrap up...
Using this info will help to get you started in trolling. Your first fish will be a rush of excitement of getting that first trolled fish in the boat. Just remember a few things when landing the fish. Most of these fish have unbelievable eyesight. They will see that gaff or net coming at them before it is in the water. Be ready for a burst of energy from these fish. Just when you think you have then tired they will make another run to the bottom of the ocean.
Good luck and may the words ring out all day.
FISH ON!!!!!!
Joe Ricciardi & Nick Ferrara
Copywrite of ACFishing.com