Need Trolling Advice

[Drifter]

All of the above is great for getting the gear, but the suggestion about going on a charter that trolls will help make you productive.

Purchasing the book: Precision Trolling (The Trolling Bible) will increase the slope of your experience curve in getting your baits to the depth where the fish are (or just above them). I see there is an app out now and you can buy only the sections you want like Reef Runners, DHJ's. You will need charts for 2 oz inline weights as well.

As for rod holders, I have a fixed triple rod holder that slides into the gunnel rod holder. Works great for three rods on each side and is much less expensive than the adjustable big john type. I run the last rod out of the next gunnel rod holder behind it.

I run big boards, and three on each side is plenty. 4 puts them pretty close together and causes tangles especially with inexperienced crews. I am now running the 4th rod off a dipsy which gets it down quicker and out of the way of the other three. This took an adjustable big john rod holder mounted on a gunnel rod adapter.

You can't mix big cranks and tru-trips (TT's) on the same side due to the different dive characteristics. Tangles or CF's will keep you away from the fish. All cranks on one side and all TT's on the other.

I do not have auto pilot (AP). I would love to have it but raises the price of the fish per lb. considerable :0). Fishing with 2 people is doable. Three is better without AP. Unfortunately I fish by mylself a lot also which leaves you drifting and relying on the wind.

Spool half the reel with mono and the last half with braided. Getting rid of the line stretch between you and the fish will help in many ways.

Have fun!