Mahi trolling setup preference?

Saltwater Offshore Discussion
1

What does everyone use for their Mahi trolling setups?

Personally I run TLD25’s on 6’6" 20-50lb medium action rods. I’m thinking about moving into a 6’ 20-50lb rod with a faster action for this year and I’m curious what everyone uses around here.

Carolina Skiff JV17
Hydra-Sport 22 Bay

2

I like a stiffer action rod for trolling. In my experience, the more action the rod tip has, the easier it is for it to get tip wrapped when it is rough. Chugger heads are the worst for tip wrapping, but even a naked bait can do it while wave hopping if it is really rough and the rod tips are flexible.

“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations,neither are you here to live up to mine” Peter Tosh - I Am That I Am

3

Im running about the same Bmarvil.

TLD 25’s 6’ 30lb med action rod… A good action rod not to stiff.

R200 Robalo Yam150-

4

I just got some tld 25s on 30-80 rods with 40 lb momoi diamond. Probably a little stiff for your average to below average mahi, but gives me something more to work with in case a big fish hits

5

I would suggest changing out the handles on the TLD-25s, the stock handles are some of the worst out there for fighting our seasonal pelagic species. I prefer 30W-50W class gear. There is nothing worse than wasting an hour in the morning during a hot bite on a 20lb foul hooked dolphin with light tackle. Plus, a good wahoo can burn up the factory drag on a tld25 with the quickness.

6

We usually fish tlds with 6’6" rods for most fish with upgraded handles for dolphin. If you are targeting wahoo and billfish you may want to fish something heavier and/or be ready to chase them with the boat. I have had a wahoo almost spool an 80W we had all the rods in and were ready to chase him but he came to the boat.

Charlie
www.tidedownsportfishing.com
(843)312-2981

7

If you are targeting dolphin specifically then just about anything in the 20 class and up will do. I’ve caught plenty on 15s but I like my metal 30ws now. I run 50ws for the down lines and 30s everwhere else and fill in with whatever TLD works that week for the remainder.
If you want the best all round setups for anything then get metal 30w or 50w TLD of Squall 2spd. With the smaller reels, heavy for class line doesn’t help since it costs you capacity and the drag isn’t there in the first place.
Landed a nice mako on a florocarbon leader on an International 30 2spd and didn’t get close to getting spooled. Just clear the lines and fight it right.

26 Seahunt
Angler’s Dream

8

Tiagra 50s won’t let you down and you won’t spend all day trying to land a 20lb dolphin

Half Mine II/ TEAM GEICO
2660 Sailfish
150 Yamahas

9

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I’ve found a set of 6’ rods with stiffer tips that I’m going to try this year. For now I’m sticking with the TLD 25’s for Mahi since they work but I’ll be adding some larger reels to go with other rods I have when I get into trolling for other species.

Carolina Skiff JV17
Hydra-Sport 22 Bay

10

Put some Real Handles on the TLD’s and you will be good.

Charlie
www.tidedownsportfishing.com
(843)312-2981

11
quote:
Originally posted by preston knight

Tiagra 50s won’t let you down and you won’t spend all day trying to land a 20lb dolphin

Half Mine II/ TEAM GEICO
2660 Sailfish
150 Yamahas

Limehouse meathook method