Trolling Tips for Pelagic Success
Pelagic fish typically stay between the thermocline and the surface. On hot, clear days with little wind, that thermocline drops deeper—making it harder to raise fish with skirted lures. That’s why experienced crews often use downriggers, planers, weights, and teasers.
For recreational anglers without the luxury of trolling all day, here are some golden rules to fish smarter, not longer:
1. Fish overcast days when you can
Cloud cover keeps the thermocline shallower, bringing fish up. Not common in the tropics—but ideal when it happens.
2. Target dawn, dusk, or low sun angles
Low sun means less glare and shallower fish. It’s also a cooler, more productive time to troll.
3. Never troll into the sun
Fish, like us, can’t see into glare. Always keep the sun behind you for better lure visibility—and protect your eyes and skin while you're at it.
4. Troll down current, not by GPS speed
Use current charts or do a slow 360 to find current direction. Trolling with the current shortens your wash and triggers more bites from fish burning energy.
5. Position lures in the face of the wake
Aim for the bottom third of the wave for best visibility and access. (See diagram below)
6. Set drag to 1/3 of line class
Using 50 lb line? Set drag to around 16–17 lbs to get solid hook sets and avoid snap-offs.
7. Watch for signs of life
Birds high = fish deep. Birds low = fish near the surface. Floating debris? Troll nearby—Mahi love it, and Wahoo often lurk below.
8. Avoid driving through bait schools
Circle around the edges instead. Predators are keyed in on that bait—don’t spook the action.
Follow these rules to raise your odds and bring in more fish—without burning up the whole day offshore.
