trolling bonito?

[w2f4]

Going to try trolling up bonito for the first time - from readings clark spoons and natural ceder plugs with 4-8 oz drails are the weapons of choice.

Couple of questions on other weapons -

For down low - downrigger to pull a smaller umbrella rig / bar with tubes / shads?

For up high on the surface -
what about a wider spreader bar like below - preferred color? -

[Treebeard]

While I have no doubt Bones would hit bars and Umbrella's etc.. the problem is this.. While Bonito and False Albies  are fantastic fighters on light tackle, a big Bonito is 5lbs... The tackle that you would need to use to drag those big rigs, would be like shootin bunnies with a bazooka.   IMO keep it simple..  Stick to the lighter stuff like Spoons, small Cedars, and feathers,  on lighter ( under 20#) outfits, Minimize hardware like snaps/swivels, etc.. and you'll  catch just as many and have alot more fun doing it.

[w2f4]

I appreciate the reply treebeard.

Understood - keep it simple and light.

One follow up - I'm not familiar with the feathers. Just a hook with feathers, or do they have a metal head of some type?
I'll need to buy these - is there a preferred brand, size, color?

Thanks again

[Treebeard]

I appreciate the reply treebeard.

Understood - keep it simple and light.

One follow up - I'm not familiar with the feathers. Just a hook with feathers, or do they have a metal head of some type?
I'll need to buy these - is there a preferred brand, size, color?

Thanks again

Glad to help W2.. the feathers I'm refering to are often called "Japanese Feathers".. they usually have a metal head , and are between 1-3 oz..approx 4-6" long.. the C&H No Alibi is one brand that comes to mind.. Green /yellow, blue/while, red/white, purple/black are good choices imo.. Good Luck 
 

[Capt. Carl]

yup....i also troll with light gear and i pull some smaller daisy chains ...not spreader bars....that i make up myself with different size tube squids and little feathers....however...i always have a wwwwwb line with a blue and white ilander/ballyhoo on a 30 set up just in case mr. bluefin shows himself while trolling for the albies, bones,mahi and skippies!

[Skolmann]

We banged the snot out them yesterday (08/02/09) on #1 Clark spoons and picked a few on a small purple squid daisy chain. Think we might of had 1 out of 29 taken on a cedar plug.

[flounderman]

Good ole clark spoons in oo-1 sizes in silver no beads from what I remember as a kid. Spent many afternoons trolling in the heat of August around the mile buoy off Manasqaun catching bonita. It's a pretty fast troll.
We used planer lines with hand lines tied to the cleats and trolling sinkers on the rods with a long light leader.
 
Now's the time!!!

[wb]

yes I think this year we will actually target them.

we got into what must have been them a few years back while bluefishing. wow great fight but we were not ready for them. definitely not hooked into bluefish, but never saw color.

so - clark spoons, tube rigs, what else? anyone find them to hit avas or the like?

when bluetrollin I'm usually around 3-5kts is this too slow for them?

i heard reports of alberts and bones near Rockaway inlet last week, is it just a "troll around and hopefully find them" kinda fishin?

thanks guys all info is good info (hopefully)

[shkbilly]

Little bump for some more info. I'm trying to gear up and run at least 1 or 2 trips for them. I have Clark Spoons, Hopkins, Diamond Jigs, and some other spoons. I was looking for some feathers or plugs. The smallest feathers I can find are 6"+. Anyone have a preferred brand or point me in the right direction? Thanks.

Also to clarify the trolling speed and preferred territory would be great. Thanks guys!

[Capt. Mike]

Clarks are the best! Feathers are good too. No plugs! Put your money into #2 and 3 planers. Diamonds used as drail about 10-12oz works well.
Still Clarks and planers kick but. Speed I have caught them from 4 to 8 Knots. Average speed 5-6 that seems to be the sweet spot. If you mark them circle slow down speed up, when you hook up let them run, take off a little speed get multiple hook ups. Good Luck! This is what seems to work for me…

[wb]

good thread, thx for the info CaptMike

[Capt. Mike]

yes I think this year we will actually target them.

we got into what must have been them a few years back while bluefishing. wow great fight but we were not ready for them. definitely not hooked into bluefish, but never saw color.

so - clark spoons, tube rigs, what else? anyone find them to hit avas or the like?

when bluetrollin I'm usually around 3-5kts is this too slow for them?

i heard reports of alberts and bones near Rockaway inlet last week, is it just a "troll around and hopefully find them" kinda fishin?

thanks guys all info is good info (hopefully)

Hey WB 3-5 I seem to pick up more bluefish. I have caught bonito on avas but a action a little slow...

[shkbilly]

Thanks Capt Mike!