Trolling LURES

[tara11]

I am woundering do we add weight to our repala lures to help stay down or no weight and they dive on thier own, gonna start trolling more so will try everything , thank for your help

[FishStalker]

They dive on their own. Diving depth is dependant on line weight, line scope and the speed that you are trolling at.

[sealskinner]

But you can use a inline torpedo sinker to get it down farther.

[MORGS]

Was wondering the same thing, going to go buy some Rap's or Yo zuris today. to try out tomorrow.

[birdman]

They sell a yozuri deep diver that has a weight kit that you add to adjust the depth. This sucker goes to about 30 or so deep depending on line size. Also, adding an inline torpedo or sliding egg with a swivel and leader can get them down. On their own they do not really dive that deep. Maybe 15 to 20 feet at most. I recently bought a storm diver that goes to about 18 feet on its own. However, as we all know sometimes the fish are holding deep. 20- 30 -40 -50 feet and deeper. Sooo adding the weight can get the lure into the strike zone if they are deep. Otherwise you are pissing in the wind. Slow trolling around kelp lines can be real productive and is alot of fun because you never know what you are gonna get. Tight lines!

[tara11]

Thanks guys, I was at Catlina last Tues and Wed and did not troll, but alot of guys were so I want to get the info before we head out after the 4th of July and try it out will let you know how we did !

[historic]

Downriggers work good and then you don't have to fight the weight and the fish. You can also tape the sinker on the line so it falls off when you hook up a good fish.

[birdman]

I forgot to mention my favorite lure for trolling our local islands! MACKERAL or HORSE SARDINE! Not really a lure but a great method. Especially with a good little lever drag reel on 20 pound line and a nice slow quiet troll.
Slow trolled in Catalina or SCI or CORONADOS. The yellows love it. Let us know how you do. Tight lines!

[Az.monkey]

you can also buy a deep diving planer board ( poormans down rigger)

[stars]

When it comes to trolling lures here in So Cal, Baja ect. the general rule has been smaller is better. I don't necessarily think that way myself and like to put different sizes in the pattern. The question of what weight is best, really has to do with the design. Anything you buy commercially is tested for bouyancy and center of gravity. This is especially true of acrylic or resin heads. Unless the back of the lure under the feathers or skirts has a wide opening to place a weight, adding weight will usually adversely affect the lures natural action. All lures whether weighted or unweighted will dive, dart, throw smoke and pop on the surface. To what extent they do that depends on the face of the lure. Light lures have trouble in windy conditions. It is not so much the lure as it is the line that is catching the wind. So with light lures and wind, keep them off the riggers and put them on the corner or flat right off the stern. The most important thing about trolling lures is it's position on the wave. In good conditions going downhill, place the lures on the face of the wave swimming down the wave as it rolls thru. Going uphill, I like the lure on the bottom at the back of the wave. It will swim thru the wave and start popping or darting or whatever it is designed to do in the trough on the front of the wave and then swim thru the next wave. It just looks better behind the boat when you can adjust your pattern to accomodate all the lures. Out here in So Cal where running between numbers or paddies looking for fish is common, use chromed brass heads either feathered or skirted even at high speeds. They will get hit as long as they look right behind the boat and not flying out of the water. Drop them back a little further if you need to. There is a limit speed for every lure but a well designed chromed brass or similar heavy metal should work at 16 to 18 knots just like it does at regular trolling speed. Hope this helps. Late, Darrell