By Joseph Mitchell
(Originally published Jul/Aug 2019)
When planning for an offshore trip, it can get overwhelming deciding what to bring. With a smaller boat (30 feet or less), it is
important to Find the right balance between being prepared and bringing too much! The following will help give insight on what to bring
to target multiple species in simple, yet effective ways.
THE LOADOUT
TROLLING: Trolling lures is one of the most popular and effective ways to Find and catch pelagic Fish. When pulling a spread at a speed between 4.5 and 8 knots, it allows For covering a lot of ground and for scouting while fishing.
With all the options out there, it can be difficult to choose which spreader bars, daisy chains, ballyhoo skins,
or other lures to troll. Having a selection of lures will ensure that there is a good variety of effective lures in the spread. Keeping the arsenal simple and sticking with the basics is a tried-and-true way of getting the bite.
One of the most difficult decisions for trolling lures is choosing colors’ There are a bunch, from basic green to glow-in-the-dark and other nontraditional colors. When it comes to choosing trolling lure colors, it’s a good idea to cover the basic spectrum, but not go too crazy. I would classify basic colors as the following: green, pink, rainbow, black/purple, and white. Nontraditional yet effective colors such as zucchini, blue/white, glow, and yellow are effective at the right time and place. The basic colors, however, will cover the bases when it comes to picking a trolling spread of spreader bars, daisy chains, and single lures.
SPREADER BARS: When it comes to getting a big presentation in the spread, spreader bars are a go-to. They’re very effective, creating
