I am booked for the 12hr overnight snapper run from Hubbard's (Madeira beach) next Friday. They allow trolling on the way out and between spots. The trip leaves at 7 so it would basically be twilight on the way out. Boat is going about 10mph. Is it worth trying to troll and if so what kind of lure should I use?
They say for trolling use a 6/0 size reel or larger, I figure my 349 with 80# braid would do it, it's basically a narrow 6/0 with a 5 stack. Or I could build a 6/0 I have all the steel internal parts to make a tank.
The 349/349H is basically a tall narrow 113H. If you are likely to catch fish over 75-100 pounds, like mid size YFT, a 114h would be a better choice and a 114HN even better. For dorado, blackfin and similar size fish both are overkill.
FYI, I have brought to the boat and released several Pacific halibut over 6' long with stock 349H reels. My boat rule was nothing killed over 60".
Trolling at 10 mph is difficult. I try'n do 3-5 mph before the Sun comes up in 15 to 35 ft. of reef water. But I hooked a Green Sea Turtle last time out and broke it off near the yak, before I could try'n de-hook it. Made me feel so bad I stopped the trolling and concentrated on the bottom in deeper water. Do they slow-down/stop if someone hooks-up?
Line twist can be an issue. Something like a feather jig might help.
Jason,
I'd think about a Nomad Design Madmac or Madscat 150 for subsurface high speed. I trolled my Madmac/Madscat 150's on my last trip at high speed and other than NOT catching anything they performed great.
I also agree with Gfish, feathers, clones, jet heads bounced on the surface could be an option if you don't have the above.
What species are in the area? Dorado/Dolphin should be there but what else?
Steve
Cedar plug or feather!
I have only fished the west coast once and that was bottom fishing so not sure about trolling over there. I am familiar with east coast trolling and high speed trolling for wahoo. A popular lure over here is the purple yo-zuri bonita lure, it can be trolled 6-15 knots. I used it with a cigar trolling weight and a shock leader but you can use it straight. A simple cedar plug is deadly also
Quote from: Crab Pot on August 31, 2024, 04:30:37 PMJason,
I'd think about a Nomad Design Madmac or Madscat 150 for subsurface high speed. I trolled my Madmac/Madscat 150's on my last trip at high speed....
.
Steve
I am not sure if a 349/349H or 114H has enough drag to pull these at 10 knots. I use a International VISX 16 or a Avet EX30 when trolling these or marauders. Cedar plugs and clones have a lot less drag.
:) OK I will be joining you . All booked in .. There is still a lot of spots available for this trip ,if you want to join us !!!!
Here is the link for Friday night 9/6 https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/12hr-night-fishing-trip/
Yeah buddy this is awesome.
Let's keep this momentum going. Who's next?
Quote from: Keta on August 31, 2024, 06:15:59 PMQuote from: Crab Pot on August 31, 2024, 04:30:37 PMJason,
I'd think about a Nomad Design Madmac or Madscat 150 for subsurface high speed. I trolled my Madmac/Madscat 150's on my last trip at high speed....
.
Steve
I am not sure if a 349/349H or 114H has enough drag to pull these at 10 knots. I use a International VISX 16 or a Avet EX30 when trolling these or marauders. Cedar plugs and clones have a lot less drag.
When Lee tells me something about a 349, I take his word for it. Is that still true though for a 349 with a 5-stack? Or does that not matter? I have all the parts to build a beastly 6/0 I just gotta commit the time to doing so, and leave enough time to get it spooled by Friday afternoon. I have 2 nights to do it.
I ordered a purple yo-zuri bonita. Of the options suggested above, that was the only one likely to arrive in time. I may try some local stores for a cedar plug.
My concern now is that I'm putting too much thought into a minor component of the trip that might not even be productive, and potentially leaving the snapper-catching as an after thought. I may need to change that.
Joe, you gonna try to troll at all?
I built the 5 and 7 washer 349H reels for smoother drag at the high end and never played with them for over 50# line so I do not know what max drag is. The spool shaft I ordered for the International II 50SW to 50S conversion is in today's mail, when I go to my shop I will see what max drag on a 5 washer 349H is. In my mind the 349/349H reels are best for vertical fishing.
BTW, I have SS 113H gear sleeves in the 5 and 7 washer reels, they are not the same but they work. I also have solid full and half frames or Jigmaster 506 37A-506 bars on them, I think the posts might twist under heavy load.
Mine has a steel sleeve too. There was one in a bag marked "349" and I used that. I remembered noticing at the time it was slightly different from a 4/0 sleeve but I don't remember if it was longer or shorter.
What about a Penn Baja with the Cortez kit? Would that be better suited for trolling? I have one with 65# braid and room for a leader.
Not sure.
Pulling directly on the 5 reel I am getting 18-22 pounds of drag. You most likely can get a bit more because the arthritis in my hands limits my ability to turn down the star much more.
I tested 4 349/349H reels, 506 bar, a half frame, a full frame and a all metal.
I doubt I will troll . I have my sticks picked out . I believe the boat will be close to the pipe line . It will be mostly snappers bites . Light and medium stick will do most of the fishing .
If the big gags show up then the heavy comes out .
I did call them to check if you can bring cell phones and they said YES it`s OK
If the lure arrives before I leave I'm gonna tie it on my Baja and give it a shot near shore after we leave port, see if any king mackerel are hungry. But I'm not gonna devote any more energy than that, it's supposed to be a bottom fishing trip. I'm not gonna lose sleep building a 6/0 in a rush for at best a slim maybe.
Thanks everyone for your advice and guidance.