Trolling on a Budget

[fellinger]

Whats the thoughts on MINIMUM equipment needed for trolling on a budget? I really enjoyed it for stripers/blues this year and would like to try other species next year.

I think I posted something about this already but cant'f find it. I am looking to try INSHORE species when other fishing is scarce. I am thinking small tuna, bonito, etc - unless you don't think they are possible species out of the barneget area without burning way too much fuel to be fun.

Any advice is appreciated.

Fred

[Hotrod]

Braided line. and stretch 25's

[fellinger]

Thanks, Rod. Can I get away with medium duty boat rods that I use for wreckfishing? I really don't want to invest a ton of money quite yet but, would like to have a few options during the year.

[Luna Sea 5]

medium is fine... the only thing expensive about trolling is Bluefish... lol

[paul-e]

I agree with Rod.

Streth 25 and braid. At least when you get a hook up you can stop the boat and enjoy the fight.

Also mark the spot of the hook up to run over it again or try working it.

Good luck.

[fellinger]

Thanks. This is all in preparation for next year. Now I need to start picking the brains of people for places to work. I need to stick to inshore, say 20 miles or less. My boat is new to me and it is single engine and I don't want to push the safety factors.

Are there any good "how to" or "where to" resources? I am virgin.

Fred

[NJ Guy]

medium is fine... the only thing expensive about trolling is Bluefish... lol

LOL no joke i lost atleast 5 rigs this year trolling due to bluefish.... good thing they were cheap 

[Hotrod]

Near shore..  Stretches for stripers and Blue.  20 miles.  The Lobster pots.. with Cedar plugs and feathers and such for mahi   and our .TKDs.   Making some Mahi Colors this Winter   Capt. Joe ( Irish Ayes) has this Lobster pot trolling tuned in

[NJ Guy]

also keep in mind umbrella rigs i have always done well with them

[Hunter 2]

Use a 5' mono or fluorocarbon leader between your   braid and Mann's stretch 25. I use a swivel to the main line and a duo lock snap swivel to the stretch.  Stretch 30's are better in deeper water. The stretches come with a chart with line length and depth ratios.. I find the the red treble hooks do not last and are brittle. You can find the regular hooks or swap out the reds for regular. A big fish can bend the diving lip and cause the stretches to swim left or right or constantly surface. You can try to adjust them or toss them if they don't work right.

[fellinger]

Thanks for all of the great information!

Where are these lobster pots that everyone speaks of? Is there a good resource that I can look over to find areas to fish?

Again, next year will probably be out of Barneget for me (thanks to Hotrod).

Fred

[IrishAyes]

Think Oil Wreck, Arundo and Monster Ledge. You will run across the pots as you near these areas. All within reach with your vessel on a good weather day. 

[IrishAyes]

Oops, just re-read your original post and saw you are out of Barnegat. The areas I mention may be a bit far for you.  

But I have heard the Barnegat Ridge holds some nice fish at times. 

[Hotrod]

 

[Hunter 2]

Pots are N,East of you. More east.  140' of water

[fellinger]

Are pots always the key? Would it be worth the gas to just scour a chart and focus on deep water near drop offs even if they aren't as large as a real ledge?

[Hotrod]

Edges.. Lumps.. structure.. and Pots

[FishOn]

Are pots always the key? Would it be worth the gas to just scour a chart and focus on deep water near drop offs even if they aren't as large as a real ledge?

Warm clear water brings the pelagics in. Any floating object congregates them. We were out Cbassing early this past summer and the conditions were right. We had some loggerhead turtles and mola molas hanging around the boat. On this one particular day we saw 60-70 lb class blue fins crashing juvenile butterfish, a small mako cruise by and mahi hitting spo jigs under the boat. We also trolled up some mahi using 3" rubber squids on 4/0 gami baitholders with spinning gear (did not plan on trolling that day when we left dock).  7-10 lb mahi on medium action fluke gear is a downright ball. All of this action was within sight of the barneget lighthouse in 60 feet.  This is not the norm in this close but similar action can be had within the 20 mile range. It was just a perfect storm of water temp, clarity, bait, and cover (sea turtles and drifting boats hold mahi as well as any lobster pot )

[Luna Sea 5]

Thanks for all of the great information!

Where are these lobster pots that everyone speaks of? Is there a good resource that I can look over to find areas to fish?

Again, next year will probably be out of Barneget for me (thanks to Hotrod).

Fred

I will be out of Barny as well.  We can hook up next season also, even at Tice Shoal..

[fellinger]

Thanks for all of the great information!

Where are these lobster pots that everyone speaks of? Is there a good resource that I can look over to find areas to fish?

Again, next year will probably be out of Barneget for me (thanks to Hotrod).

Fred

I will be out of Barny as well.  We can hook up next season also, even at Tice Shoal..

Awesome! I really appreciate the offer. You guys have been a tremendous help. I am stoked! I think I will be rack storing the boat where Hotrod is. I am hopefully going to get down there this weekend to look around.

Fred