Offshore trolling
Offshore trolling is a numbers game played across miles of open ocean. You set a spread of lures and baits at different distances and depths, then work weed lines, temperature breaks, and structure until a rod goes off. It demands attention to detail in your spread and the discipline to keep searching until you find the fish.
Best late spring through fall as warm water pushes pelagics inshore
How it works
- 1Set a staggered spread with baits at different distances so lines do not tangle and the pattern imitates a school of bait.
- 2Run lures in and just behind the propeller wash, where the bubbles hide the hooks and attract curious fish.
- 3Troll at speeds appropriate to your target, roughly six to nine knots for many pelagics and faster for wahoo.
- 4Hunt structure such as weed lines, current edges, temperature breaks, and bird activity that hold bait.
- 5Use outriggers to spread lines wide and add drop back on a strike so the fish fully takes the bait.
- 6When a fish hits, clear the other lines and keep steady pressure while working the fish to the boat.
Gear
Conventional trolling reels loaded with heavy mono or braid on stout roller guide rods handle the loads. Add outriggers, trolling lures, ballyhoo, wire or heavy fluorocarbon leaders, and a good drag system.
Tips
- • Watch your sea surface temperature and look for breaks and edges, which concentrate bait and predators.
- • Vary lure colors and sizes across the spread until the fish tell you what they want, then match it.
- • Frigate birds and diving terns mark feeding fish from miles away. Run toward the birds.
Knots to know
FAQ
How fast should I troll offshore?
It depends on the target and the lures. Many pelagics come from a spread pulled around six to nine knots, while high speed trolling for wahoo runs much faster. Match your speed to your baits and how they swim.
Why do birds matter when trolling?
Diving and circling birds mark bait balls being pushed to the surface by feeding gamefish. Finding birds is one of the fastest ways to find fish in an otherwise featureless ocean.