Trolling Swim Baits?
- Thread starter Skins88
- Start date
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
we’ve done it lot’s off shore nootka. it is deadly. you don’t have to troll as fast as you would salmon fishing. , say 1.8 mph. we kept balls around 10 feet off the bottom. it is a communication game with captain to make sure bottom doesn’t change too much or you’ll lose some lead
PEETZcanada
Well-Known Member
Works for many species. We've been doing it for many many years. Essentially since Rapala came out in Western Canada with their Baits, later switching to Savage and Lighthouse and Gibbs. I have been making my own for around ten years now. We have caught lingcod, numerous species of rockfish, halibut and coho and Chinook. Salmon even take the largest profiles that Savage has. My Baits are from 5 to 12 inch paddle tails, to sand eel, to an actual mermaid which works very well. We use 8oz and lighter. 8 can be a little tough in Rocky pinnacle type areas.
No need to go way back, the fish are not shy. Speed varies depending on tide and species that is being targeted.
No need to go way back, the fish are not shy. Speed varies depending on tide and species that is being targeted.
Attachments
Sailfish25
Active Member
Here is a video of exactly that.
ship happens
Crew Member
Rapala.ca
Last edited:
N2013
Well-Known Member
Been doing this for a few years. A shelfy bottom makes life easier. I just use my salmon rods, lighter swimbaits 6oz or so, try to keep balls up a bit off bottom as the swim bait is probably a few feet deeper. 10’ set back is fine from the clip. It’s worked well off Renfrew as you can just follow a contour easily. I’ve ran a few rapalas but I find the little swimbaits work better in my experience. It works well in windy conditions.
PEETZcanada
Well-Known Member
These also catch salmon so remember to pinch your barbs if you want to legally dual target salmon species for retention.
ship happens
Crew Member
I fish these with a dropper weight because the hooks are on the bottom of the swim bait. Reel really fast up hills and get your fish. These are fast aggressive swimmers. Salmon don't seen to pay attention to these in months where the ground fish rentetion limits are valid. Wanna go salmon fishing then these come right off.
Rapala.ca.
Get your jigs boys
Rain City
Crew Member
I run a spreader bar with a 12oz-16oz ball and a 4oz-6oz swim bait. I like the way it "acts" like it's in a rigger clip that way with the pull being more from the side. I troll around with the gear in the rod holders at a 45⁰ angle just like with riggers. Ideally each guy has a rod in hand and is keeping contact with bottom as often as possible. It's a mix of lazy jigging and trolling. Lots of communication from the helm to the deck on sudden/expected changes in depths. I find this to be more fun and less stressful than using the rigger, but also less work than drifting and jigging (snagging). Being in gear let's you work the cliff easier and we do a systematic search grid down the face. If we don't hit them on the first pass, we move on. I also like the fact that we're working an area with a plan instead of just drifting around snagging. We got our 6 in short order on Thursday and Friday. Biggest being 22lbs.
Esperanza-time
Member
Trolling works well!
The only downside side I’ve found is Yellow eye just love a trolled swim bait.
The only downside side I’ve found is Yellow eye just love a trolled swim bait.
PEETZcanada
Well-Known Member
Actually, when the salmon are around they do take them. Many salmon have be taken on them in the areas that we have fished. Especially certain colors. I personally not longer use them, only because I fish my own gear.
Aces
Well-Known Member
Somebody say Rápala?
Attachments
EstevanPoint
Active Member
No need to overthink it. 10-30 feet will work. You can troll pretty slow and they will be effective, which helps with rigger management and avoiding any major snags. The weight of the swim baits and a slowish troll will help them be a little deeper than your rigger balls. Pays to have a couple of experienced people working the riggers.
