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Trailerboat Fisherman

Inshore Trolling Pattern

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If light game fish are the only target then four lures are usually set to cover the main options. Two lures are set short on the second or third wake roll and two are dropped further back at about 40 metres (120 ft).

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Inshore Trolling Pattern
If light game fish are the only target then four lures are usually set to cover the main options. Two lures are set short on the second or third wake roll and two are dropped further back at about 40 metres (120 ft).
More lures can be added if there are hands available to grab them or if space is available. Some anglers also mix big fish lures and small game lures to maximise their strike rate.
Trolling speeds are usu¬ally 6 to 8 knots although many of these little fish will also hit lures at much higher speeds, up to 15 knots.
The reels are set in gear with a firm but not overly harsh drag. Heavy drag settings can tear the hooks out of soft mouthed fish. If hooks are tearing out too often, it is possible to use 2/0 to 4/0 trebles to increase the hooks holding power on fish.
The smooth and gentle playing of the fish also helps ease this problem.
At the boat, either net or gaff, lifting via the trace will often loose fish.

Anglers trolling big fish lure patterns but also wanting small game fish for bait, particularly live bait for trolling, often use cord lines known as hand trolls to catch their small fish.
   The reason for this is to stop striped tuna (skipjack), albacore and small yellowfin tuna grabbing the little lures and running out amongst the big lures. This necessitates stopping the boat winding in all the gear and then resetting the gear.
   These cord lines are usually about 20 metres (60 ft) long, with 15 metres (45 ft) of 400 lb Venetian blind cord and 5 metres (15 ft) of 50 kg (100 lb) nylon trace. The line is finished with a small circle of sailing shock rubber.
   The lures are rigged with extra strong trebles suited to the size of the fish being sought, usually 2/0 to 4/0. When the fish hook up they are jerked immediately to the surface and are then pulled hand over hand to the boat.