Tuna lures. Which is best

[t-290]

I want to know what kind of lures do you guys use while trolling for Tuna and Mahi. And what kind of setup?

[t-290]

anybody want to answer?

[flbluerunner]

This should be a lengthy response but I'll try.
Black cedar plugs
C&H Ahi Slayer feathers
C&H Sand Eel
Other small 1/4 to 1/2 ounce feathers black and red and pink and white.

[t-290]

Do you mix lures when you are trolling? As in would you troll a cedar plug on one rod and a white feather on another and a green feather on another (for example) or would you just use all the same lures on every rod?

[Tommyh14]

2002 34 conv
8 rods
fish out of indian river Delaware
northeat canyons (baltimore, wilmington) and inshore lumps ( hot dog, teacup, sausages....just to name a few)

long riggers blue and white islanders/ballyhoo

short riggers startboard - squid nation daisy chain w/pink and white chugger/ballyhoo, port - crew choice ( chuggers/feathers/islanders/nekkid hoo )

flat lines starboard - cedar plug/diving plug/nekkid hoo on a planer, port spreader bar (green machine or zucchini squid)

shot gun (short down the middle) green machine/bird splash bar

wwwwwwwb - bird/green machine

this is our normal starting 8 but we change it up depending on conditions and radio fish ( if they are hitting pink and white, we change 'em up, if we get some short hits (dolphin) we might go with some smaller feathers

[flbluerunner]

I mix the lures and colors until I see what they like then put more of the preferred lure out.
I suggested lures only but using daisy chains, blue and white islanders, and naked ballyhoo also adds to the mix.
I run my spread way back for tuna.

[t-290]

wow thats quite a setup

[Tommyh14]

t-290, where will you be fishing ?

[t-290]

I usually fish The North East Canyons (Hudson Canyon, Chicken Canyon etc..) and The Monster's Ledge

[Tommyh14]

you are a little bit north of us, ask the guys at your dock, different areas fish the same fish differently, what we run up here is different then what the guys in other areas do for the same type of fish, we basically run lures with ballyhoos and spreader bars, of course in the winter you get bored, go to a boat show and buy all kinds of shiny stuff, experiment, if it aint workin try something else

[t-290]

I was thinking about doing that (buying loads of lures and seeing what works) because there is a local expo coming up but I noticed that they are usually expensive and I dont want to spend $300 on lures which is why iam asking first. But I have talked to a buddy of mine who owns a Tuna Charter business and he told me feathers with Ballyhoo are good but I dont think anyone up where I live (NJ) sells Ballyhoo so I have to resort to something else I guess

[Tommyh14]

there has got to be somebody selling ballyhoo up that way, if not you can always order some frozen thru the internet

[t-290]

I asked around everywhere. Nobody has them. But thats a good idea though. ill definately do that

[chefnewyork]

t-290 be sure you always have a green machine in your spread. I fish the same area and inshore 30 fathom etc and thats usually a hot ticket. Try to get info on scallop boats, where they have't dragged etc. If you have some rainbow, purples, and green bars (maybe with a bird), ballyho, zukers and clones just worry about clarity and temps and catchem up!

Good luck!

[t-290]

Thanks very helpful. Where do you get your Ballyhoo from since we are in the same area?