Scenario #1 – Trolling

• Trolling speed 4-8 knots. Adjust speed for best presentation
• Some days the direction you are trolling will make a difference. If you are trolling north to sounth and it doesn’t work, try east to west
• Put jigs farther back when deploying stern rods, keeping the side or outrigger rods in closer
• Jigs can be as close as 25 feet back with the longest jigs back as far as 65 feet.  Keep them close and tight; 15 feet apart
• Do not let jigs skip through the water
• Keep eye out and fish by commercial fleet
• Clean water coming off back of boat when trolling — Raise trim tabs all the way and put motors down all the way
• Harmonics (engines running same rpm)

When a Fish Strikes

…………………………………………………………………

• If you have a fish hit a trolling rod, keep the boat moving for another 7 to 10 seconds for a chance at a 2nd or 3rd fish

• Use a drop back rig with swimbait or iron — you have about 3 to 5 seconds to cast it in the exact direction of the fish that is hooked trolling

Converting to Wide Open Bite

…………………………………………………………………

• FISH ON!! Reel is Singing    within first 30 seconds↓↓

• Person 1 (skipper)- throttles into neutral and then into reverse, keeps you closer to school
  • Person 2–  throw chum — dip the bait net, scoop a handful of bait, then smack their hand against the back of the net to stun the bait and send them over the rail

• Person 3–  throw a drop back rig — using swim bait or iron — if they do not hook up, immediately put the rod in the rod holder and deploy live bait

• Person 4 –  throw a drop back rig — using swim bait or iron — if they do not hook up, immediately put the rod in the rod holder and deploy live bait

• Person 1– start loading live baits –
  • Loading a live bait — Hook bait through lower jaw and go up through their nose to help keep the mouth from opening when reeling back to the boat

• Once you are hooked up with a live bait–
  • gather on the rail with wind at their face — boat should drift away from live bait
  •  spread out
  •  rod tip pointed toward swimming live bait
  •  FISH ON!! line is peeling fast — Count 5 seconds then slowly ease the lever drag to strike position (should be about halfway)
  • if fish goes under boat, back drag off completely and wait 30 seconds, when they swim back, run the drag back up
  • Follow the fish and try to keep line straight up and down
  • Tell the guy to your left or right that you are coming, go under or over him;keeping the lines from tangling
  • If you cross another’s line, pick up your rod and his rod and uncross the lines

Scenario #2 – See Tuna on the Surface as the Boat is Moving

• Tell the skipper to stop
• Cast jig or swim-bait toward tuna
• If jig, let it flutter free, let it drop to 45 degree angle—-reel it back as fast as you can
• If swim-bait, let it drop and reel back slowly
• Someone throw chum

Scenario #3 –Seeing Tuna on the Fish Finder Below Surface

• Drop jig, let it flutter free, let it drop to 45 degree angle—-reel it back as fast as you can