Evening/night trolling? (Gulf side FL)

JasonGotaProblem · August 31, 2024, 02:14:24 PM

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.

Keta · August 31, 2024, 03:07:49 PM

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".

Gfish · August 31, 2024, 03:47:44 PM

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.

Crab Pot · August 31, 2024, 04:30:37 PM

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

pjstevko · August 31, 2024, 05:22:49 PM

Cedar plug or feather!

thrasher · August 31, 2024, 06:09:11 PM

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

Keta · August 31, 2024, 06:15:59 PM

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.

oldmanjoe · August 31, 2024, 10:02:43 PM

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/

JasonGotaProblem · September 01, 2024, 03:21:01 AM

Yeah buddy this is awesome.

Let's keep this momentum going. Who's next?

JasonGotaProblem · September 04, 2024, 04:29:26 PM

Quote from: Keta on August 31, 2024, 06:15:59 PM
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.

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?

Keta · September 04, 2024, 04:49:02 PM

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.

Keta · September 04, 2024, 04:50:58 PM

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.

JasonGotaProblem · September 04, 2024, 05:07:14 PM

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.

Keta · September 04, 2024, 05:21:53 PM

Not sure.

Keta · September 04, 2024, 06:56:04 PM

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.