Trolling Lures - Rigging for Offshore Fishing

When it comes to offshore trolling, the discussion often revolves around various aspects such as head shapes, lure size, skirt length, single or double hook, stiff rig or not. The key question is - what are you fishing for and what type of spread best suits your end goal?

In this post, we will delve into the important considerations when setting up any offshore trolling spread and sea conditions. It's crucial to ensure that the size of your lure is right for your desired species and sea conditions, right for your boat, for your tackle, and that it matches the size of the prey that the fish you are seeking eats.

In the In The Spread How to Rig Offshore Trolling Lures video, the legendary big game skipper Roddy Hays shares his knowledge and wisdom on offshore trolling lures, shape dynamics, matching baits to species behavior, and how all this translates into rigging marlin lures for trolling.

Roddy provides a great perspective on a selection of lure sizes you would typically pull behind your game boat. He highlights the various head shapes and how each tracks in the water. These would be considered classic shapes.

Roddy examines one lure that has very little taper on it, considered a straight pull lure. Another is a shorter lure head with a classic angled face, recognized as a swimmer or a diving lure. The cupped face or pusher lure, another great style, is another lure Roddy likes. The pusher, as its name implies, pushes a lot of water, makes a lot of noise, and is very good to run in rough seas.

Roddy offers well-thought-out contrasts and comparisons between shape variations, within a specific style of trolling lure, and how those subtleties within design dynamics impact the swimming action. Head shapes from top water baits, pushers, tubes, Hawaiian style super plungers, cupped face baits with jets or without, and jet heads will be discussed relative to their ideal spread position.

When selecting a lure, it's important to consider the species of fish you want to catch and where you might be going out to sea. You might be seeking one specific species of fish like blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, or tuna. This is the norm in places like Hawaii, Madeira, Bermuda, the Canary Islands, and most other big game destinations.

When you get very specific about what species you are targeting, there will be subtle differences in how that particular fish feeds and the prey they eat. Roddy shares a variety of lures that work well for tuna, wahoo, and billfish. Bigger blue marlin being the crowned jewel is the more wide-ranging discussion, as Roddy spends a lot more time profiling the feeding habits of the marlin and how this translates into size and shape choices.

Roddy Hays' meticulous approach to his lure rigging is why he is such a great person to learn the process from. Watch as he demonstrates the step-by-step how to rig offshore lures with a single hook. You really get a solid perspective on the choices that are available for hooks and which are best suited for this type of saltwater fishing.

From the cable he attaches to his mono, the hook choice, crimps, shrink tube, the tools, and making all the connections, you will watch up close and learn the lure rigging technique Roddy prefers for big fish.

This is an amazing lure rigging video. So much good info. Not an ingredient is left out nor a single step. Roddy really is an amazing instructor. Enjoy this In The Spread video and never stop learning.

For more insights, you can also watch other Marlin Fishing Videos.