Guide to Offshore Trolling Lures
If you've never experienced the excitement of battling a powerful marlin, wahoo, or tuna offshore, trolling is a great place to start. Offshore trolling involves pulling lures or baits behind a moving boat to cover a wide area and target fast-moving pelagic fish. It's an effective technique that combines skill, planning, and the right gear.
This guide explains the different types of trolling lures, which species they attract, and how to use them effectively. Whether you're planning your first offshore trip or fine-tuning your spread, these insights can help increase your chances of success.
What is Offshore Trolling?
Offshore trolling is the practice of dragging artificial lures or rigged bait behind a boat to entice pelagic predators. With the use of outriggers or downriggers, anglers can fish multiple lines at varying depths and distances. This increases the chance of attracting fish like tuna, mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish, and more.
Types of Trolling Lures
- Skirted Lures: Designed for marlin, sailfish, tuna, and mahi-mahi. These lures feature soft plastic skirts that pulse and flutter in the water, mimicking squid or small baitfish.
- Diving Plugs: Best for wahoo, tuna, and kingfish. These hard-bodied lures use a lip or bill to dive to specific depths and create a swimming action that triggers strikes.
- Soft Plastics: Ideal for mahi-mahi, striped bass, and tuna. Swimbaits and soft minnows imitate natural movement and work well when fish are finicky.
- Feather Lures: Lightweight lures that create surface disturbance. They are effective for high-speed trolling targeting bonito, tuna, and mahi-mahi.
- Metal Jigs: Flashy, heavy lures designed for deep trolling or bouncing near the bottom. They attract species like wahoo, amberjack, and tuna.
- Cedar Plugs: Simple, cigar-shaped wooden lures that resemble fleeing baitfish. Effective when trolled at high speeds, especially for tuna and marlin.
Techniques and Gear Tips
Offshore trolling is more than dragging lures—it’s about controlling speed, depth, and presentation. Use outriggers to run multiple lines and cover more water. Downriggers and trolling weights can help target fish holding at depth. Don’t overlook the importance of teaser baits to bring fish closer to your spread.
Match your trolling speed to the species: 5–7 knots for tuna and mahi-mahi, 6–9 knots for marlin and sailfish, and up to 12 knots for fast movers like wahoo. Electronics like GPS chartplotters and sonar help you locate bait schools and structure. Always check weather and sea state before heading out, and make sure your tackle is in top shape.