Trolling with Stickbaits?

I've tolled with stickbaits many times in the gulf of mexico. Actually caught my first wahoo doing so. I was using a maguroni, sardine colored.

astro...

Astronut said:

I've tolled with stickbaits many times in the gulf of mexico. Actually caught my first wahoo doing so. I was using a maguroni, sardine colored.

astro...

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What speed do you troll that at? How far back? How often does it get hit compared to the other lures in your spread?
Thanks!

I'd consider adding some Braid Marauders, Rapala Cd22s, and XRap 30s to the spread. Not as many billfish but he hoos and yft love em.

For what you are looking to do, way back shotgun, save yourself a bunch of money and get a couple cedar plugs.

philr21 said:

I'd consider adding some Braid Marauders, Rapala Cd22s, and XRap 30s to the spread. Not as many billfish but he hoos and yft love em.

For what you are looking to do, way back shotgun, save yourself a bunch of money and get a couple cedar plugs.

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[email protected] said:

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Thanks, philr21 and Capt. Dave. Yes, I picked up a couple of cedar plugs to add to the spread, but was just wondering which would be more likely to produce more, and in what position. Cedar plug in the shotgun, or maybe stickbait in the shotgun and cedar plug more in the prop wash and bird/daisy-chain/skirts/feathers in the long and short corners. We're in a small 22-ft. CC with only a 4-rod spread. Am planning on casting stickbaits or poppers after trolling hits, and thought maybe some of those stickbaits could produce in the trolling spread. You think cedar plugs will produce just as well or better in the shotgun?

When I had my 21' boats- I would fish five rods. Two long outrigger - skirts. Two deeper divers as mentioned above on the flatlines, and a shotgun lure down the center. Personally I would save my stickbaits for casting, not saying they would't work though.

I have never trolled with stick baits, but have teased and switched marlin onto stick baits, Which is an option if you can get the guys to pay attention to the spread.

I like Phills idea of a cedar plug in the shot gun position, just remember to check where the keel of the cedar plug is, (Run line through plug and spin it..... It will stop in the same position), mark the bottom with a felt pen and rig the hook so it is inline with the mark.


They are like a fat lazy kid at the back of the pack, who doesn't swerve, dart dive or move much at all, making em easy pickings

bay bruiser said:

I have never trolled with stick baits, but have teased and switched marlin onto stick baits, Which is an option if you can get the guys to pay attention to the spread.

I like Phills idea of a cedar plug in the shot gun position, just remember to check where the keel of the cedar plug is, (Run line through plug and spin it..... It will stop in the same position), mark the bottom with a felt pen and rig the hook so it is inline with the mark.

They are like a fat lazy kid at the back of the pack, who doesn't swerve, dart dive or move much at all, making em easy pickings

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Thanks, bay bruiser. Yeah, I think I'll run a cedar plug in the shotgun to start off, and just cast the stick baits after trolling hits.
On tuning the plugs, after spinning them on the line to find the keel point, are you running them with the barbs down? I've heard of one guy who does that, but most I've heard of run them with the barbs up, saying they get a better hook up ratio that way. Or does running them with the barbs down help them stay upright better, like a keel??

I was of the opinion that the hook should be in the keel position......so hook tip facing down, inline with the keeled weight of the lure.

on jigging trips, upon changing between spots i've trolled a popper instead....
caught some mackerels and most was barracuda.... the trolled popper action was somehow looked like skirt.....
just use only rear treble to add some drag and make them running straight.... and use cheap popper, barracuda will chew it like gum candy....