It is a query usually posed by anglers new to trolling and even some veterans as nicely. You might have discovered your self within the offshore part of your native sort out store confused in any respect the completely different trolling lures accessible and questioning how the makers anticipate you to tug them. The reality is, there is no such thing as a “greatest velocity” to troll, all of it will depend on the scenario and the baits you pull. I’ve damaged down the completely different classes of speeds and what they’re greatest for.
The primary is 0-4 knots referred to as bump trolling. This isn’t actually as a lot of trolling as a lot as it’s giving a stay bait course to swim. Stay bait is a necessity for this model and this model of trolling is particularly for it. This can be utilized for with cigar minnows or menhaden for kings, stay laborious tails for yellowfin, and even with soccer tuna or skipjack for marlin.
Professional: No lure constantly out fishes stay bait, so if you recognize precisely the place the fish are this may be one of the best tactic.
Con: If you happen to aren’t positive the place the fish are staged, the sluggish velocity hinders you from masking water. Chances are you’ll solely cowl a small quantity of water by the tip of the day.
The following could be 3-8 knots relying on situations and rigs. That is the zone the place trolling lifeless bait could be lethal. Typically offshore that is achieved with ballyhoo. Bare ballyhoo could be lethal,however most combine up their unfold of ballyhoo with some with chugger heads, islanders, sea witches, or dusters. That is additionally a very good velocity for laborious baits. Be sure you have a wahoo bait within the unfold, which at this velocity must be a billed diving lure akin to a stretch 30. A planer may help as nicely when matched with a big spoon or islander with a strip bait.
Professional: This covers extra water than stay bait, and presents baits naturally and not using a ton of prop wash.
Now my private favourite is lure velocity of Hawaiian model lures akin to Black Bart or different lures. This velocity varies between often 5-11 knots and most is finished between 6-9 knots. It’s doable to tug islander and ballyhoo combos the identical velocity typically however I’d not suggest it. Usually these lures want extra velocity and it’s higher to easily select a mode as an alternative of blending. Nonetheless, the innovations Nitta Fishing Improvements have made are altering the sport at these speeds. Now you possibly can troll ballyhoo and different lifeless baits this quick and them not wash out. As for the lures, the top motion is the important thing to the bight. Get it proper and its magic. If you happen to do run a wahoo bait on this unfold that is the place a Marauder or a Yo-Zuri Bonito shines above a billed bait at larger speeds.
Professional: Covers water one of the best of methods. It is like pre-fishing a bass event, you cowl water till you discover the fish.
Con: Transferring this quick it may be difficult to select aside a productive space.
The final velocity is excessive velocity wahoo fishing. That is achieved between 10-22 knots usually. That is usually rigged with a wire rigged wahoo weight adopted by a 30 foot shock chief of no less than 300 pound mono adopted by a trolling lure constructed for velocity. These lures are sometimes cylindrical and hydro dynamic. Probably the greatest are the brand new Black Bart Steel Heads. I additionally suggest the Yozuri Bonito behind a lighter wahoo weight. The very best time to excessive velocity is from the primary mild to when the solar comes up or the final hours of sunshine within the night. Nonetheless, you possibly can excessive velocity between spots as nicely.
Professional: This velocity covers a ton of water and excites the speedy wahoo.
Con: It burns plenty of fuel.
