You should just rig a circle hook like a J-hook but without placing the hook in the belly of the bait. Using 130- to 200-pound mono, rig a hookless bait exactly the way you would rig one with a belly hook — push the mono down through the skull and out the bottom jaw.
What is the best speed to troll for mackerel?
between five and seven knots
Trolling speed for Spanish mackerel is between five and seven knots. At this speed the 15-pound leader is going to twist no matter how many ball bearing swivels you use. Having one in the mix will slow down the inevitable, but it won’t stop the twisting.
How much line do you let out when trolling for Spanish mackerel?
A typical trolling spread for Spanish mackerel is 4 or 5 lines with most below the surface and one on the surface. Some fishermen use all planers or all trolling sinkers, but I like to begin with a mixture of them.
What depth do you troll for mackerel?
Most opt to troll at around 5-6Kts and run a selection of colours to see what is hot on a particular day.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
20 feet to 150 feet
Bait Position and Distance Behind Boat
Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.
How much line should you let out when trolling?
Let out 50 feet of line and clip into the release. If that’s not enough distance to prevent your lake’s wary walleyes from seeing the ball…then let out 150 feet of line! Just remember, the flat-line diving depth of your crankbait still applies behind the ball!
How do you troll with lures?
Trolling drags lures behind, usually a good ways back, while the boat moves forward slowly. Most trolling is done using a small electric motor that moves the boat quietly though the water so fish aren’t spooked. But you can also troll by towing a lure while walking along the edge of a shoreline, bridge or pier.
What pound leader is mackerel?
Fluorocarbon leaders that range from 25 to 50 pound test line have become common for Spanish mackerel fishing. Because most Spanish mackerel will be in the 2 to 3 pound range, you will most likely only need 8 to 12 pound test line as your main line, which is why the leader is so important.
Do I need a leader for mackerel?
Do you need a leader for mackerel? Spanish mackerel aren’t very large, but they can eat through a line in a matter of seconds. Because of their razor-sharp fangs, leaders are an absolute necessity.
What is the best tide to catch mackerel?
spring high tide
The best tide for mackerel fishing is a spring high tide. These are tides when the difference between high water and low water is at its greatest, and the flow of water is strongest. Big tides push bait fish closer into shore and mackerel follow them in.
How fast is trolling speed?
Baits and lures are typically trolled at speeds up to 9 knots (17 km/h), though speeds up to 15 knots (28 km/h) can be used, particularly when boats are travelling to different fishing areas. The speed at which the lure is pulled through the water impacts on the fishing success.
Is mono or braid better for trolling?
Mono holds knots better and costs less than braid. It also works better on smaller bait-casting reels because light braid can dig into itself. Florida sailfish and dolphin anglers still use a lot of mono on the troll, and some use it for kite lines because it runs through the clips better.
Is it better to troll with the current or against it?
Wanting to mimic nature, the best presentation results from trolling Against the current. The ‘With the current’ crowd say all you need to do is look at what works when stream-fishing for salmon. You float a lure down the current to give the fish a long look — he’ll do a quick turn and grab as the bait floats by.
Should you troll with or against the current?
7. When in an area with current, troll crosscurrent as opposed to with and/or against the current. Going crosscurrent, you don’t have to worry about how the current is affecting your lure’s or bait’s speed through the water. Plus, fish generally swim into the current.
What is the best rod for trolling?
Best Rods & Reels For Trolling
- 1: Okuma Classic Pro GLT (best trolling rod) Pin.
- 2: Avet SXJ 5.3:1 Single Speed Reel (best trolling reel) Pin.
- 3: Shimano Scimitar 9’6 Trolling Rod. Pin.
- 4: Ugly Stik USCAWAL762ML Rod And Reel Combo. Pin.
- 5: Shimano TLD 2-Speed Conventional Reel. Pin.
- Sturdy.
- Type Of Fish.
- Roller Guides.
What type of line is best for trolling?
Monofilament is the best line choice for trolling in most situations, but there are times when low stretch lines have the edge. Because low stretch lines are super thin, they enable trolling lures like crankbaits to pick up significantly more depth compared to monofilament lines of the same break strength.
How long should a trolling rod be?
between 5.5 and 10 feet long
Trolling rods tend to be longer than your average fishing rod. More specifically, trolling rods tend to measure between 5.5 and 10 feet long with the perfect length depending on your specific conditions and angling skill.
Is braided fishing line good for trolling?
Braid is great for trolling but since it has very little stretch we recommend using a wind-on-leader or mono tophsot. We recommend using 30-130Lb braid as backing for trolling reels. Make sure any reel you spool on your trolling reels is spooled on tight!
Does trolling speed affect lure depth?
Trolling slightly faster or slower, the wind pushing the boat sideways, waves rocking the boat (tugging back and forth on the lures), underwater currents, water temperature, line diameter, variations in the lures (even though they look identical) and other factors all combine in very complex ways to affect a lure’s
What Colours are mackerel attracted to?
Lures in the 20 cm range are popular with the red/white Qantas colour scheme and blues and greens being present in most avid mackerel angler’s tackle boxes. Check the quality of rings and hooks before using them and consider using a second split ring with hooks.
What size hooks for mackerel?
I tend to choose rigs with hook sizes ranging from size 4 up to a size 2/0. The rigs tend to be pre-tied with four or five hooks, sometimes more. I like to cut the rigs down to have three hooks. This causes less problems on the kayak when it comes to unhooking the fish.
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