Sailboat trolling techniques

[peterchech]

So, here's the deal, I want to get back into fishing this year. However, I am paying off student debt and work for the government, so I don't have money for an outboard or trolling motor (prob wouldn't want them anyway). I do have a small cartoppable sailboat/rowboat that I plan on launching from the beach on calm days (knee-high surf or less).

For the most part, I used to drift fish the bottom from some local jetties. Had some luck with that last summer, but sometimes the jetties get crowded and the fish scarce. Plus as the bait drifts closer to the rock piles, on some days the crabs would get everything. And although I had good success getting flounder, my preferred quarry would be stripers/large blues.

Now I have my boat. Drift fishing seems simple enough, just get out there and drift. Fine. And when the frenzy is on, casting a jig into the mix is also simple enough.

But I have been hearing alot about trolling for the big boys. Does anyone have any tips/pointers for this method of fishing? I could certainly row, and when solo I imagine rowing is the only practical option. But when two up, my boat doesn't balance well and rowing becomes a pain. Plus I could cover so much more distance under sail.

The way I see it, the problems are: dropping the sail when I get a hit, keeping the speed down (not that my boat gets above 4.5 knots, but I have read 2-3 knots is preferable), not capsizing...

I have a lugsail, and have read about the sprit being preferred by fishermen because it could be brailed up quickly and easily, and be out of the way. Is there a way to "brail" a lugsail? Should I just build a cheap sprit for fishing purposes only?

Thanks for any advice/stories/experiences/etc.

[Ian McColgin]

I've done it. Keeping the speed down is easy when you're used to it. I liked reefing better than carrying a big luff. If you can lay things for easy jogging reaches, no biggie but that's not always convenient.

I never even thing about getting the sail down when I get a strike - just heave-to and work the fish.

There can be an issue if the fish goes to the other side of the boat, hopefully around the stern - which is much more common - since passing your rig behind the main sheet is easier than getting it around in front of the mast. If you can arrange mid-boom mid-boat sheeting - even as a while fishing ownly rig, dropping the real sheet while trolling - 90% of this issue is solved since you can fish from the stern.

I just had short poles that dropped into a slot and no-bull reels - more like a down-rigger than a game fish rig - since I was not there to annoy the fish with sport, but rather to kill them expediciously. While I hand long-lined commercially, I only trolled incidentally for the pot. You have to be both a better and more determined fisherman than I - and both are easy and I'm not good and I'm very lazy - to make a buck with a moving hook and line.

G'luck

[Hal Forsen]

If you are serious about fishing from a sailboat this book should be part of your kit and will answer all the questions.



No affiliation....

ISBN

0071427880 / 9780071427883


"Every culture has its bible, and until now, there wasn't one for the voyager with a passion for catching fish." --Ocean Navigator
Here is the first-ever complete guide to finding, catching, processing, and cooking fish from the decks of a slow-moving cruising sail- or powerboat. Scott and Wendy Bannerot have successfully cruise-fished tropical and temperate seas for more than two decades.

[Figment]

Same. Sail above the drift-spot, heave to, drift down, two tacks back, repeat....

Ian and I are in much larger boats than you're using, though. With a small lug rig I think it would be worthwhile to create a very convenient way to blow and re-set the halyard.

[wizbang 13]

I used to sail (10'er) up to a reef with a sinking rapala. Tacking, the lure would sink, then , gathering weigh,the lure would swim up to the surface and kill fish.
Of course, I had to carry a glass (mask) and constantly go overboard to free my 'spensive store bought lure from rocks. Easier to do in the Islands.
Since getting a dose of ciguatera in 2007, I stopped fishing.

[Breakaway]

Petercheck

I havent fished much from a sailboat, but if you can get off the beach, its really "just" a matter of figuring out where they live. Look for the stripers on the bottom just outside the bar/break. Its especially good, usually, if you can find the breaks in the bar through which the undertow heads seaward. That's where gamesters line up for chow, as the current brings the food to them. Also try to find shell beds ( as eveidenced by lots of shell on the beach) and little troughs and holes--look at a chart.

You can drift and bounce a bucktail; you can also a troll a bucktail, letting it to the bottom, and then jigging it as you go along, maintaining contact with the bottom between "hops." In either case tip the bucktail jig with some worm, pork-rind or plastic squiggly bait.

If you are looking for a less active way to troll, try dragging spoons or plugs. I like the Tony Maha "Peanut Bunker" for a spoon, and diving plugs like Danny's. No need to stop, or slow the boat, necessarily: it keeps the line tight ( Its one way to wear-out a charter party and get to go home early ). Juts make sure you;re using 20-lb plus tackle if the boat's going to keep going. Light tackle may break off on you, or juts pull all your line off the spool, with the combined resistance of the fish and the boat. If you do drop your sail, crank down the drag; a heft striper will pull a small boat around in a circle before she's done!

Catch 'em up! (And post pictures)

[peterchech]

Thanks breakaway, I will! I'm itching to get out there now... I know the stripers don't run until about the end of April, and initially they are pretty small, are there any fish out there now? (It's supposed to be in the upper fifties saturday, so I may be tempted to go out). Snappers maybe?

[Breakaway]

Its early, unless you want to fish the Hudson River, north of the Tappan Zee. Your south and west of me. We start seeing fish mid-April, and it opens up in May. June is a big fish month. Then its schoolies( mostly) till the fall run. Snappers you wont see until July. Bluefish will be on the heels of the mackerel--so when you see your local headboats advertising mackerel trips, start getting ready--usually late April, here, anyway.

The game in town right now is cod and seabass, and both are offshore fisheries.

Kevin

[Thorne]

I know a really good way to get free lures - just sail really close to shore. Many fishermen either leave their lines unattended or are too lazy to reel 'em in. This works particularly well if you and your wife are having a loud argument about who's fault it is that you're in so close -- don't ask me how I know this. Bring gloves and pliers to get the hooks out of the rigging and yourselves.

[John B]

As the worlds worst fisherman who has discovered the secret ( to catch a fish , first you must put a line in the water) We just troll 3 to 9 knots . Most strikes in the 4 or 5 knot range, and we just round up and play them.
I got two of these Steves at christmas. A few albacore , some small kingfish.. both of those species like faster speeds it seems.



My gut feeling and not knowing the characteristics of the fish you're after, is that you'll want either a bit more boatspeed or be more active at speeding the lure up by reeling it in at the same time as you're sailing.

[peterchech]

Great shot, is that mako? (forgive my ignorance of shark fishing, it is something I have wanted to try for a long time but not with my boat lol)

That grin is just creepy...

[Breakaway]

Yup, blue water species like it fast( sailfish mostly excepted). Inshore, go slow.

K

[Robbie 2]

Try a lure with lots of action.

[John B]

Advice which is so right in so many ways.