Help with Trolling

[onextremetahoe]

I am new to trolling and want to get some basics. I have a 22 foot Grady with 15' outriggers. I was planning on going out the Barnegat and trolling down the beaches.

Any thoughts on lures or spreads? I have 2 umbrella rigs and some stretch 25 lures and some clark spoons. How many lines should I put out? Should I use the outriggers or just off the rods on the back of the boat?

Any help would help.:)

[BlueFen]

I would start with 4 lines max until you feel that you have obtained enough experience with trolling and your boat to add a couple more. I have a 21 foot center console and 4 lines is plenty for two guys - particularly when one is capt. and another the mate.

You can read about the Chesapeake or other big boat guys with planer boards and outriggers dragginf 10-15 lines, but I respectfully suggest that is a ridiculous goal, particularly in a smaller boat.

If you chose to drag bunker spoons, I'd limit it to two rods for now. If you drag Manns Stretch plugs, I'd limit it to three rods for now. If you are dragging spoons, green machines, or other top water stuff you can drag four.

Watch your track and watch for crossing lines. It can get really frustrating if you have a running fish tangle all the other lines while you are operating the boat and only one buddy has to deal with the mess.

Good luck.

[SCFish48]

I've heard that it's hard to troll stretch's with outriggers and have never tried it before. If it can be done I'd like to know about it. I heard that when the lure dives it yanks the line out of the outrigger clip. Good luck outa Barnegat, I'll be out there tomorrow too.

[LBIBass]

If there are only two of you on the boat, you might want to try it at first with just two lines in the water. Ideally, you can have someone real up the other lines when a fish is on, to avoid tangling. If you're on the fish, it doesn't matter if you have 2 lines or 20 lines out there, you'll hook something.

[Sea Monkey]

This is my first year trolling. I agree with starting with 3 or 4 lines max. With just 2 guys on the boat I am comfortable with 3 lines although if action is slow I'll add a 4th.

Pay attention to driving the boat when you get a hit. The worst tangles I've gotten so far are when I was paying attention to the fish and turned or drifted into too sharp a turn.

I'd also suggest paying attention to how far back and how deep your lures are. If you can stagger the length and depth you'll get way fewer tangles.

I've been trolling LEI area using a pair of Stretch 25's on either side one about 150' back the other about 100' back and a single stretch 30 maybe 50' back down the middle. I've had a lot of success with big blues and 3' +/- sharks/dogfish. I run just about as slow as the boat will go while still being able to see the lures working by watching the rod tips bouncing.

[beber]

what are "stretch 25's"

[GlennSr.]

They are Mann"s Stretch 25 lures they are said to go 25 feet deep with 150ft of 40lb mono. Also in 15,20,35 and 50 maybe more sizes, they are big plugs for trolling. Good stuff.

[Blynch]

Yeah, i like the stretch 25s alot, and even the bigger stretch 30s. oneextremetahoe, pick up a few Reliable or Julian's bunker spoons at your local tackle shop. They really work well during times like now when there is alot of Big bait around (e.g. mossbunker and hickory shad) inn addition to the stretch 25s you have. If tou get the Reliable brand, read the instructions that come with the spoon. They will give you info on how to rig the spoon and how to set the drail system.

good tides and good luck,


blynch

[fishdog]

If you a are trolling stretch 25s or 30s try rod riggers they are easy to use and have no release clips to fail. Use 4 lines a first 2 straight and 2 in the rod riggers. 30s close to the boat 25s out & back.

[barrell]

When trolling stretches I like to put my two stern rods lines into scottys downrigger clips I have tied off on the stern cleats. I have the best luck on bass trolling the stretches fast although most other guys recomend slow.