I fished a few of them when they first came out I’m the artificial variety seemed like more trouble than it was worth keeping them tangle free and clearing when a fish was hooked
Had not used one in A few years until last week and I found they have come a long way
We used a stripteaser setup pulled from a Penn downrigger with 48" boom
I think it was a 6 arm with about 36oz lead in front
It was easy to put out and the fish were biting the Heck out of the flatlines
what are y’alls opinions what kind do you pull?
How do you pull it and where?
What kind of boat inboard vs outboard
The only thing I didn’t like was how fast 250$ went away when a big Wahoo wanted the dredge worse than we did
Before everyone blasts me I’ll move this to offshore discussions when I get home can’t seem to do it from dumb smartphone unless someone can help Sorry
Dredges are a little trouble at first, but once you get used to them, you will not want to fish without one. We fish at least one dredge while meat fishing and always pull double dredges while billfishing.
A few years ago we fished strip teaser dredges. They look good in the water and a lot of times we would have dolphin right in the middle of the strips trying to eat, but it got pricey replacing the strips when they would get ripped off/eaten and I dont think that the sails were as interested in them.
Once we started running rubber mullet dredges with dead bait on the outside ring, we probably tripled our billfish bites. I think it gives the fish something 3 dimensional to grab and the meat on the outside helps keep their interest.
How to pull your dredge depends on the boat you are fishing. On boats with smaller outriggers we run the dredges directly off of down riggers. Boats with big riggers (spreaders) get a pulley/shocker system off of an eye on the rigger. This system reduces stress on the riggers and allows you to clear the dredge completely out of the water, if needed.
Where to pull the dredge depends on your boat too. Ideally the dredge should run in the clean water, not white water, behind the boat. It should either be far enough back, or have enough weight to keep it underwater at all times, too. Running the dredge in clean water helps you see fish that come up on it, however depending on the boat (especially outboards), this is not always possible. Even if your boat wake is not clean, it is still worth running them in white water as fish that come to the dredge usually come up on the teaser chains. Remember, just because you can’t see the dredge because of surface disturbance does not mean the fish can’t see it.
If you are running a single dredge, you should not have to clear it unless you are chasing a fish down. Most times, skillful boat handling can keep the fish on the right side of the boat (with a single dredge). Double dredge fishing you might have to clear one, but it is
^ very good advice right there
Skinnee is going to be pissed…
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
Why is skinnee going to be pissed??
First year using a dredge and so far I am pretty sure it has led to more fish.
My strip teaser is chewed all to chit! I need to order some more strips.
That being said I really like the rubber mullet/ballyhoo dredge!
Cape Horn 24OS Sold!
twin 150 Optimax
I don’t want to be rich,
I just want 1 dollar more than I can spend!
quote:Yeah, why?
Originally posted by silkyWhy is skinnee going to be pissed??
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:Yeah, why?
Originally posted by silkyWhy is skinnee going to be pissed??
You normally complain about such brain dumps as this…
"Dredges are a little trouble at first, but once you get used to them, you will not want to fish without one. We fish at least one dredge while meat fishing and always pull double dredges while billfishing.
A few years ago we fished strip teaser dredges. They look good in the water and a lot of times we would have dolphin right in the middle of the strips trying to eat, but it got pricey replacing the strips when they would get ripped off/eaten and I dont think that the sails were as interested in them.
Once we started running rubber mullet dredges with dead bait on the outside ring, we probably tripled our billfish bites. I think it gives the fish something 3 dimensional to grab and the meat on the outside helps keep their interest.
How to pull your dredge depends on the boat you are fishing. On boats with smaller outriggers we run the dredges directly off of down riggers. Boats with big riggers (spreaders) get a pulley/shocker system off of an eye on the rigger. This system reduces stress on the riggers and allows you to clear the dredge completely out of the water, if needed.
Where to pull the dredge depends on your boat too. Ideally the dredge should run in the clean water, not white water, behind the boat. It should either be far enough back, or have enough weight to keep it underwater at all times, too. Running the dredge in clean water helps you see fish that come up on it, however depending on the boat (es
God forbid anyone give any good advise… looks someone didn’t read Phins post the other day…
I hope no one gets offended if I buy a dredge a catch a couple fish.
King Fish
31’ Fountain
quote:
Originally posted by SAKattackGod forbid anyone give any good advise… looks someone didn’t read Phins post the other day…
I hope no one gets offended if I buy a dredge a catch a couple fish.King Fish
31’ Fountain
It is an inside joke with me and skinnee. Sorry if it came across the wrong way.
Go by Atlantic Game and tackle and get Jeremy to help you make one up. They have all the pieces to do it pro style.
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
Way to put words in my mouth and make me look bad on the internet Scootin! Appreciate it, though I don’t ever need the help making myself look like an ass! I do just fine on my own…
PS… Payback is a *****…
I actually just started running a dredge myself and I already love it. I fish it from my 25ft Hydrasport center console. I use a 2 tier 4 arm that Scott at Haddrell’s made up for me in 10 mins for $100! I run 9 z-man ■■■■■■■■■ Paddletails (4 off the top tier and 5 off the bottom) and tie this off to the starboard side cleat with para cord. Per Scott’s suggestion I run a split bill Ballyhoo just behind and over the dredge on the flatline. I also keep the dredge just insight as people mentioned above. Flatline definitely gotten tagged more by doing this. Still waiting on that billfish though. Those z man bait are indestructible, from what I can tell. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
BigFish80
2007 Hydra-Sports 2500 CC Vector w/ Twin 250’s
I just learned i am not very skillful,as we clear the dredge anytime a fish is on…
quote:
Originally posted by Gut WrenchI just learned i am not very skillful,as we clear the dredge anytime a fish is on…
Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m sure there are times where clearing the dredge is warranted… Haha
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
Twin 250 HPDIs
quote:
Originally posted by Gut Wrench
I just learned i am not very skillful,as we clear the dredge anytime a fish is on…
Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m sure there are times where clearing the dredge is warranted… Haha
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Are you boys still talking about fishing???
36 Contender Fisharound
Are We There Yet?
A good place to run the dredge is on a downrigger. If a fish is on it takes minimal effort getting the dredge back in. You can also use the rod holder in the down rigger to set a naked bait just behind the dredge.
Anyone ever run a dredge with a rigger clip (or paper clip/rubberband) with a tailing bait that is intended to be taken? I don’t have a dredge, but think about an umbrella rig kind of thing with the trailing lure somehow ready to snap off and leave the drede/umbrella.
BG
quote:Let us know how long it takes to get the tangle undone...
Originally posted by btodagAnyone ever run a dredge with a rigger clip (or paper clip/rubberband) with a tailing bait that is intended to be taken? I don’t have a dredge, but think about an umbrella rig kind of thing with the trailing lure somehow ready to snap off and leave the drede/umbrella.
BG