Skirt Trolling
When trolling lures for Blue marlin aboard ‘Bite Me’, we run a standard spread of four lures off bent butt chair rods and use Penn International 80STWs. We run a long and short corner from the transom rod holders and a long and short rigger from the chair. Sometimes we run a teaser such as a spreader bar or a Pakula Witchdoctor.
We never run a shotgun. We always aim to tag & release all billfish and use Billfish Foundation tags. We generally use lures that imitate or approximate to the baitfish in the area such as skipjack & Yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi or flying fish.
Although We use wire rigs a lot because of wahoo, we don’t double the wire inside the skirt to make a stiff rig. We just use a single wire to the hook allowing some flexibility and swing. Lures are tooth-picked or hooks set with the point or points upwards. Two hook rigs have the hooks offset at about 45 degrees.
Our recommendations are for normal general fishing on a reasonably calm day in bright or slightly overcast weather when targeting fish of any size. This is what works for us. Its not necessarily what will work for you !
SHORT CORNER
We tend to use this position more as a teaser or to tempt a monster fish with a monster lure.
1. MBT custom made monster – Silver over yellow – 2 x 12/0 wire shackle rig
2. Pakula Smokin Jo – Blue Silver/ Green Gold – 2 x 12/0 wire shackle rig
3. Marlin Magic Mirror Big Dog – Purple – 2 x 12/0 wire shackle rig
LONG CORNER
1. Hollowpoint Goblin – silver/green/gold – 1 x 12/0 wire rig
2. Pakula Rat – Black/Red – 2 x 12/0 wire shackle rig
3. John Lau Good Head – Blue yellow / Redyellow – 2 x 12/0 wire shackle rig
4. Top Gun Ball bearing Nightmare – Clear Purple tint in water / Black Gold – 1 x 12/0 wire shackle rig
SHORT RIGGER
1. Joe Yee Apollo – Evil – 2 x 11/0 wire shackle rig
2. Black Bart Hot Breakfast – Blue white / pink white (yellow stripe) – 1 x 11/0 wire rig
3. John Lau Talibung – Black/Red – 2 x 11/0 wire shackle rig
4. MBT Tulip – Blue white / White – 2 x 11/0 wire shackle rig
LONG RIGGER
1. Hollowpoint Cabo Killa – Purple – 1 x 10/0 wire rig
2. Mould craft Wide Range – Purple – 1 x 12/0 Wire rig
3. Pakula Sprocket – Lumo – 2 x 10/0 wire shackle rig (this lure picks up a lot of wahoo)
4. Wellseys Hypahead Large Talai – Black/Gold – 2 x 11/0 wire shackle rig
Where we get our lures:
* Palm Fishing Australia
* Wellsys Tackle
* Melton International Tackle
Lure Manufacturer Links:
* Pakula lures
* Hollowpoint Lures
* Marlin Magic Lures
* Wellsys Lures
* MBT Lures
* John Lau Lures – Contact John at jaslau@yahoo.com
* Black Bart Lures
If you want to know what the top Australian skippers use, check out the lead article in the Feb / Mar issue of BlueWater magazine, http://www.bluewatermag.com.au/
Adrian was born on the island of Cyprus and graduated to his first rod & reel at the age of five. Having fished around the world from the Arabian Gulf to the North sea and English Channel, he finally settled for the tropical waters of the South Pacific around the island of Kadavu, Fiji Islands. Director of Matava Resort Gamefishing, he skippers ‘Bite Me’, the resort’s 31ft DeepVee Gamefishing vessel and thoroughly enjoys exploring the light and heavy tackle fishing around the island and Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef. An IGFA Certified Captain, he advocates tag & release and is a keen supporter of the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation.
Adrian Watt
IGFA Captain
info@matava.com
http://www.Matava.com
http://www.GamefishingFiji.com
http://www.GameFishingFiji.blogspot.com
Trolling For Snapper Bait.
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27 NEW Rigged Soft Trolling Big Game Lure Bait Skirt 5″ $28.00 |
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Russ 4 Cheer Leader Troll Dolls Hot Pink Hair & Different Color Skirts RAH, RAH! $15.29 |
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50 NEW Soft Trolling Big Game Lure Bait Skirt 3″ $23.00 |
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**THOMAS DAM** ***POODLE-SKIRT GIRL*** * 9″ TROLL * — 1977 – $27.65 |
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Collectable Dam Troll Doll 9″ with a Poodle Skirt $24.95 |
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8½” X 8 SUPERTACKLE Tuna Halibut ~ Jig -Troll Skirts for Fishing Lures PILCHARD $11.75 |
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8½” X 8 SUPERTACKLE Tuna Halibut ~ Jig – Troll Skirts for Fishing Lures CHEVRON $11.75 |
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TROLLING LURES, SALT WATER WITH SPARE SKIRTS $20.50 |
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5X Octopus Squids Skirts Trolling Big Game Lure Saltwater Bait 4″ SPIFJ $3.80 |
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Atom Smoker Bait Fishing Lures Troll Skirt 2oz. $3.50 |
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Saltwater Trolling lures and skirts lot $8.49 |
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5X Octopus Squids Skirts Trolling Big Game Lure Saltwater Bait 4.5″ SPIFH $3.80 |
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Troll Doll Thomas Dam 9″ Girl in Poodle Skirt 1977 Made in Denmark Norfin Mohair $59.95 |
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RUSS TROLL HULA GIRL, GRASS SKIRT OF YARN, 4″ , FLOWER IN HER SOFT CLEAN HAIR $3.99 |
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5X Octopus Squids Skirts Trolling Big Game Lure Saltwater Plastic Bait 4″ SPIFG $3.80 |
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TROLLING LURE SKIRTS BIG T REPLACEMENT SKIRTS FOR MARLIN TUNA WAHOO MAHIMAHI $22.00 |
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Atom Smoker Bait Fishing Lures Troll Skirt 2oz. $3.50 |
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SALTWATER FISHING LURE,RIGGED,WAHOO,DOLPHIN,TUNA.MARLIN $12.00 These lures are one of the best all around baits for dolphin,wahoo, tuna, sailfish, and marlin. The soft body feels like a real baitfish and the premium grade vinyl skirts have the flash and action that attracts the big ones! We have used these many years and rely on them when nothing else will produce. It has a great wave walking action and can be rigged by itself or run over a rigged bait. A mus… |
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Saltwater Fishing Lure Chrome Bullet Shaped High Speed Trolling Lure with Black and Purple Hair Skirt, 6 1/2 Inches FREE SHIPPING AND 50% CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DISCOUNT! $15.00 Everyone recognizes these lures and for good reason, they work! This lure features a chrome bullet head for high speed trolling and is in our most popular color, black and purple. The head has an offset hole for great action and has realistic eyes to look as natural as possible. The skirt is made of very high quality hair and makes the lure “swim”. Best if used over a rigged bait and will attract … |
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PROFISH DoorNob 11in Fishing Trolling Lure Pink Lady $4.99 ProFishCo Hoo-Nobs Offshore Fishing Lure HN-08 6oz. 11″ Pink Lady (Pink/Pearl Mylar) Hoo-Nobs are part of the Doornobs Family of Offshore Lures. Designed to catch wahoo, kingfish, tuna and shark. Also great high-speed trolling for tuna. High speed, deep running wahoo, kingfish and tuna attractor. Superb tracking and great smoke trails in all sea and wind conditions. Long skirts can be rigged with … |