Couple of survey questions for those who troll offshore for dolphin, wahoo, and billfish - this does not pertain to ‘hi-speed’ trolling or running planers/downriggers.
What speed do you think is ideal when trolling a spread in flat, smooth surface conditions? Please specify whether in knots or mph.
What speed do you think is ideal when trolling a spread in disturbed or choppy surface conditions?
Do you run the same speed(s) when utilizing surface teasers?
Are you trolling bait or artificials? With bait, I troll fast enough to make the baits swim naturally or skip on the surface and not get torn apart. Artificials are dragged a little faster.
On a choppy surface try to keep the bait(or artificials)from jumping out of the water. Adjust your speed so they look natural and not flying all over the place.
I want the teasers to kick up a fuss behind the boat so I may need to go a little faster than normal.
It is not as much a set speed but how your baits are running. Too fast or too slow and the baits will not look right. You have to find the sweet spot based on sea conditions and current.
You also have to adjust your speed when you change directions.
Trolling north with the current will require an increase in speed whereas when you turn back and head south you will have to slow up just a little to offset the current speed.
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It is not as much a set speed but how your baits are running. Too fast or too slow and the baits will not look right. You have to find the sweet spot based on sea conditions and current.
