mbe5003

Whats the secret to trolling for reds in the pass? I'm new to the area and just about everybody I've talked to has suggested trolling stretch 25's through the pass. Is there a right/wrong way to do it? Should I wait until slack/incoming/outgoing tide? How far out of the pass should I go? Is one side better then the other? I've tried it quite a few times with no success, I usually end up just trout fishing at 3mb.

PorknBeans

look for diving birds!!!...but pretty much trolling anything that resembles a fish will result in a hook up...we were catching reds trolling strips of mullet on Carolina rigs when we didn't have our stretch 25s...

B.CARR

Hes right just look for the diving birds make a pass or so through them . It seems more productive if you'll keep your speed down.

baldona523

I have had a lot of luck using the planer divers with a 6-10 ft floro leader. I prefer using these trolling a spoon, large swim shad soft baits, or cheaper lure just because when your trolling around the bridges and structure they'll break you off more than you want when your trolling a $10-25 lure. I have yet to lose a planer, additionally the planers go deeper so you have no problem getting to 30+ ft and have less hooks so you won't cause as much harm to the over slot fish. Try a couple different depths with one being close to the bottom and another mid depth. I seem to have the best luck with silver and gold colors, Mullet look a likes. If your around the bridges or good structure and get close enough you can pull a grouper every now and then also, while the reds seem to come up a lot better.

MGuns

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'">+1 on the birds, they?re the ticket.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

panhandlephinsphan

I usually run 3-5 knots, run a stretch 25 as well as a big ole spoon- they run at differnet depths so I run the deeper one closer to the boat and the shallow guy out farther- keep them from getting tangled and covers two parts of the waer column. Use your GPS and troll along the edges of where your deep guy is within 10 ft of the bottom and try that line- no luck, adjust to the next line out in depth. Birds are great too, but try this when they are not around. Let me know how that goes!

Ajerv

I HAVE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT I AM NOT AT ALL HAPPY WITH MY RESULTS TROLLING STRETCH 25'S OR ANYTHING ELSE. THEY OFTER "POP UP" TO THE SURFACE AND HAVE TO BE RESET. THE RAPALAS WITH THE STAINLESS STEEL LIP SEEM TO STAY DOWN BETTER. STRETCH MAGNUM 30 TOO. BUT I LIKE THE RECOMMENDATION ABOVE ABOUT GETTING DOWN MORE. PLANERS ARE A PAIN TO ME BUT IT IS WORTH TRYING THE FLOURO WITH A PLANER NEXT TIME.



THANKS FOR THE TIPS.....MORE IF ANYONE HAS THEM. HOW MANY HOURS ON THE WATER HAVE I SPENT WHEN I NEVER SEE ANY BIRDS WORKING!!!