Coral Bay Trolling/Squid advice
Hi All. Search function still not working for me sorry...headed up to C/Bay in a month for 3 weeks R & R...Bottom bashing, no issues always get a feed-however looking at doing a bit more trolling this year. Here is what i 'think' i know, however i am up for any simple advice offered- my knowledge is limited as we do not troll much on the sth coast, only when we head north. Some very sound advice on FW, always find feedback awesome.
Hard bodies- trolling approx 5-7 Knots. Mackeral mainly ? Have run a spread of 3 before, cpl deep divers, one shallow, kind off zig zag in 15-27 m headed sth of sth entrance. Caught a cpl, but never got more than 2 in a go. i might be too shallow/slow etc.
For Tuna/Wahoo/Mahi Mahi/Billies- have some soft oscars to give a go but really have no ideas on troll spead- 12 knots? Depth i have zero idea..?
Also gonna give the squid a shake this year-have always been around five fingers and got a few-not sure if there are better general locations to try?
Been some good threads of recent adventures up there..jealous !!!
cheers in advance
davewillo
Posts: 2258
Date Joined: 08/09/16
Caught plenty of mackies on
Caught plenty of mackies on divers (especially Halco Laser Pros in various colours) south of Tantabiddi on sharp drop-offs around 17 - 20m. Usually around 6knots but depends on the conditions. Have also caught wahoo in the same locations but not in big numbers. Tuna have been wherever we found them and likewise dollies. I'm sure there are others who know way more than me so I'll watch for replies!
Good luck and very envious!
PGFC member and lure tragic
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
7-8 knots for your bills.
7-8 knots for your bills. Depends on sea conditions and how your lures are working. You will see them and know when they are working well.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
PJim
Posts: 200
Date Joined: 26/04/11
5 to 7 kts is good
5 to 7 kts is good, look for drop off between 15 and 30 mts deep. Don't be scared to troll over lumps in deeper water too, have caught macks in 100 mts over the top of lumps that rise a couple mts off the bottom on more than one occasion.
Don't have to be huge drop offs either, a mtr of 2 is enough.
Run 3 lures, 2 corner rods back and a short rod with a deep diver right up behind the prop wash in the centre.
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
Would personally go bit
Would personally go bit deeper 25-35 for macks ....they hunt from the bottom so deeeep divers and bright day dark lure (silloette) and dark day bright lure.......if you cant be assed remembering that...just use the hal o 190dd redhead.
Rowanhill
Posts: 63
Date Joined: 28/01/14
thanks for the info so far
thanks for the info so far guys...starting to get some ideas on how to tweak my approach.
thx
Rowanhill
Posts: 63
Date Joined: 28/01/14
thanks for the info so far
thanks for the info so far guys...starting to get some ideas on how to tweak my approach.
thx
davewillo
Posts: 2258
Date Joined: 08/09/16
I've had a lot of success
I've had a lot of success with the Halco 190DD in chrome pink and the mulie pattern too.
PGFC member and lure tragic
samd
Posts: 36
Date Joined: 30/04/16
Hey mate. We were up that
Hey mate. We were up that way a couple of weeks ago. Water temp was highest I have seen this time of year.
We normally troll xraps and yozuri hydro magnums but this year all the fish wanted was skirts! Dollies, bills and tuna were thick early on with the Jackie’s and hoo starting a little later. Lead up to the full and new moon was the go. If water is still hot head shallower than normal. We raised all our bills between 20-35m. Same with the Mack’s all
were shallow. Any pressure point raising bait or coral heads are worth a look. Tuna and dollies seemed to favor the 60-90 grounds.
make sure your skirts are wired and be ready for damage. Sharp hooks are vital on the bills too.
when your bottom bashing watch for birds and free jumping fish. When they start so will he pelagic bite.
Always have a stickbait rod rigged in the launcher. Dollies will often sChool on the hooked fish. We got a lot that way and also when they school on the boat while drifting. Also sometimes Mack’s and hoo have a mate you’ll get with a following cast. Also handy for the cursing mantas/tigers/whale sharks that often have good fish holding on them.
just keep changing your tactics if your not getting fish. Find the bait find the fish. Sunrise and sunset are a good start but it’s not usual to have a hot bite in middle of day. Again, freejumping fish and working birds are your cues the bait has pushed up the water column and the fish will be feeding on it.
good luck have fun!