Hello everyone I bought a new boat couple of moths ago and I would like to start to learn about trollin for kings. I have a 18” pioneer, is it on y’all opinion good (big) enough to go few miles out (very few) and what’s the best set up y’all can suggest (rig, how deep, lures, baits)
Thank y’all
Congrats on the new boat. I also have an 18’ boat. My advice is to pick your days. Any seas over 2 foot is iffy. The interval is important as well, 2’ @ 9 seconds is a smooth ride but 3@9 may be daunting in an 18 footer depending on wind. I personally would go for it in 3@9 if I was staying within a few miles and could get back quick if wx turned. With that size boat expect to be able to go outside the jetties comfortably 2-4 days a month give or take. (Good luck lining those days with your days off) I have been out to capers and the Charleston 60 in my 18’. Trips with 2 foot waves were nice, tried 3@8ish and it was slightly less comfortable. Experience and research goes a long way. I plan to try some king and Spanish trolling nearshore this year as well but have zero experience trolling so all I can help with is sea worthiness.
A lot of people on here will give you a hard time and tell you that you’re crazy going out of jetties in anything under 21’ but it’s doable with patience and knowledge. Get to know your boat, it’s your butt out there no mine.
Try closer spots and build your confidence. Also don’t be afraid to call the trip when you get to the nearshore reef and it’s crappy out. I have turned back several times with higher hopes on the trip out. It’s always rough at beginning and end of jetties. Also stay clear of the area between Sullivan’s island and the north jetty.
Like I said I am new to mackerel fishing so post if you do any good. PM me if you have any other questions. I also would like to hear some chatter on here about the other parts of your post.
Palm beach 181 whitecap 115merc
Lowe 170 70hp
Check out my YouTube page
I use these 2 sights to compare forecasts when planning trips.
http://myforecast.co/bin/marine_forecast.m?city=29057&metric=false
https://marine-md.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=chs&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=268&map_y=112&x=269&y=112#.W6K3eaQpCaN
Palm beach 181 whitecap 115merc
Lowe 170 70hp
Check out my YouTube page
quote:
Originally posted by TheNaturalI use these 2 sights to compare forecasts when planning trips.
http://myforecast.co/bin/marine_forecast.m?city=29057&metric=false
https://marine-md.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=chs&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=268&map_y=112&x=269&y=112#.W6K3eaQpCaNPalm beach 181 whitecap 115merc
Lowe 170 70hpCheck out my YouTube page
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCmxlXT3ChNyo3hMSimdlFNw
quote:
Originally posted by TheNaturalI use these 2 sights to compare forecasts when planning trips.
http://myforecast.co/bin/marine_forecast.m?city=29057&metric=false
https://marine-md.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=chs&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=268&map_y=112&x=269&y=112#.W6K3eaQpCaNPalm beach 181 whitecap 115merc
Lowe 170 70hpCheck out my YouTube page
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCmxlXT3ChNyo3hMSimdlFNw
Thank you very much, very useful info. I have been trying to keep an eye on marine weather to get more confident . Before I adventure I will have several run just around jetty’s for sure and yes matching good weather and day off will be interesting. After reading several posts I am thinking of two 9’ poles (as outriggers) and two 5.6 pole I bought some planners and someone on the site was talking about a 4/6 oz wait for the closer line. Thank you for the help and if I ever get to do it I will keep you updated
The spread I have decided to start with is 2 straight back rods, one close on planer and one far back with a few oz weight rubber banded to hold it down. 2 outside rods on outrigger pole holders. Med length back also with weights to hold down at different depths.
I also got an idea from my father in law, who said to attach planer to boat and use a breakaway to attach line to it so it comes off when fish hits and you only fight fish. I plan to use p-chord with 80# link loop hanging from cleat(so I don’t hang planer on rock and sink the boat). I’ll attach clip from planer to around 12-20’ up main line from leader. I think anything more than 4 rods would be messy.
For bait I plan to use big spoons and I made some rigs for live bait with a j hook or circle hook in front and treble hook 4 inches back all held together with wire leader.
Some other suggestions to try. Ive always heard 2 or 3 rods is good to troll starting out as a beginner. Id do a 3 rod setup set 50ft back on the big close deep lure and 80 and 100 on the other 2 rods. Id start out trolling some yo zuri’s crystal deep divers in the small 3 or 4inch size that dive to 7ft and a x rap 20 that dives to 20 and troll at about 6.5mph. This will help you find them quicker and is easier then slow trolling bait or planer trolling. The small lures will catch a lot more variety so your more likely to see action. Live bottom and reefs or around bait and tide/color lines would be good target areas. Also anchoring and chumming with live and cut bait and free lining live baits is a good method.
I will definitely try these, thanks.
Palm beach 181 whitecap 115merc
Lowe 170 70hp
Check out my YouTube page
Catch a nice day and head out to 70 feet right now. They will be closer in around the shipping channel soon.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
Thank you everybody a lot of good info to start with. Hopefully I will have a chance to try some of these soon