Tuna trolling speeds and some other questions

WaveDancer · 08-01-2008, 04:46 PM

Good evening everyone.

As a recent convert to the "tuna side", I am trying to figure out the some things concerning tuna fishing out of my own boat. (Aquasport 225 Explorer w/225HP Yamaha 4 stroke, T-8 kicker)

I have asked several veteran tuna fishers about trolling speed and most have said around 10 mph is the speed they troll at.

Is this a common speed? I have searched this site for specifics about tuna trolling speeds and have not found much information.

Has anyone ever used a large kicker to troll with vs. the main engine?

While out in the ocean last week fishing for salmon, I made a point to see what it would take to keep my boat at a steady 10mph and it was around 2100rpm, give or take a little. I can get my T-8 to push the boat at 5mph in good water pretty easy.

Is this in line what you tuna vets run at?

Seems to me a larger kicker would push my boat at 10mph+, and would most likely be much better on fuel vs. a 225hp engine. Not to mention having the ability to let my TR-1 steer the boat while we are fishing on the troll.

So what do you all think?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

WD.

Chromaflage · 08-01-2008, 04:55 PM

There's no real concrete answer to your question. In general, the tuna troll is about 6 to 8 knots or so. For my boat, I've found the sweet spot between 7 and 7.5 kts on the GPS. That's about 1900 RPMs with my 5.7. I've got a T9.9 that wouldn't touch that speed. For swim baits, you might want a slower troll in the 3.5 to 6 kt range, which a kicker might do just fine, depending on your boat. I too have often wondered if I had a bigger kicker I could get better economy.

For the faster troll, you'll want to find out how your wakes behave at different speeds and how the jigs work in those wakes to find what's optimal for youl

Just one skipper's perspective.

Sea Jypzee · 08-01-2008, 04:58 PM

You don't usually need to troll at 10mph. Depending on time of year, and what you're dragging behind the boat, I run anywhere from 4kph up to about 8kph, though it's rare I go as high as 8. Most often, I'm in the 6-6.5 range on my boat.

There are a lot of factors involved...but I think you'll find most of the TUNA fishers here tend to run in the same speed ranges as I've listed.

reelselfish · 08-01-2008, 05:13 PM

(clones,plugs)I go 6.5 mph to 7.5 mph for the most part though it sems every day is different, then trolling swimm baits is another story.... dont know if its the right way but it has worked for me....

Reel Creel · 08-01-2008, 06:18 PM

Use the big motor the prop wash is better, Thats part of what brings the fish up from the depeths. 6 to 9 is the # knts, sometimes change the trim a little up or down to mix things up some. If going in a straight line is not working then zig and zag some.

1barberg · 08-01-2008, 07:41 PM

Last year I tried my T8 at about 5 mph and still caught fish. Give it a try.

Irish Pennant · 08-01-2008, 08:04 PM

Early in the season when they are hitting clones then 7 +/- 1 or 2, I've kicked my speed up to 10 a couple of times and caught fish when 7 wasn't working. Later on when they change their preferences then slow down and put the clones away until next year, I will troll swim baits, rapalas, cedar plugs or uzuris. My kicker will push my boat at 3 to 5 kts, depending on how many fat boys are in my boat. If the sun is shining and it's a nice day out with lots of life to see then I will sometimes run on my kicker, it gets me away from the helm and out in the fresh air. I will also drop back swim baits, cast swimbaits and jig.

CrazyFish · 08-01-2008, 10:14 PM

In 3 trips out hitting fish this year it's all been differant to get them to hit. One trip we had to troll slow 3-5 knots then another we had to run 9-10 knots and one trip with the average 6-7 knots. VARY your speed from time to time and when you hear the reel screem remember what speed you were going.

Reel Obsession · 08-02-2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyFish

In 3 trips out hitting fish this year it's all been differant to get them to hit. One trip we had to troll slow 3-5 knots then another we had to run 9-10 knots and one trip with the average 6-7 knots. VARY your speed from time to time and when you hear the reel screem remember what speed you were going.

Last Saturday we started out trying to troll as 6 knots. Too fast and rough for the condistions. We slowed to 5 knots to smooth the ride a bit and had great fishing. Tunabites/swimbaits can be trolled even slower. The best speed is STOPPED. We boated more fish on the slide and on stops by keeping the fish up and working the stops instead of trying to hurry and get back on the troll.

Tinman · 08-02-2008, 07:18 AM

If I'm doing my job as skipper right, the fish will determine trolling speed, not me. I'll change speed every 5 or 10 minutes if I'm not getting bit. But the range is 4 to 8 knots. Often a 1/2 knot change makes the difference between getting bit a lot, or just a little.

But if someone radios they're catching fish at 6 mph, you don't really know how fast they're going. That's because of the 15% difference between a nautical mile and a statute mile. Miles per hour could be either.

The blessed term "knots" is the answer here. A knot is DEFINED as a nautical mile per hour. There is no ambiguity. It's also a crisp single syllable, instead of having to say miles per hour. Remember, the "per hour" part is contained within the definition of a knot. It's wrong to say "knots per hour".

So 7 mph (assuming statute miles) is 6 knots. So be clear, use knots instead of mph. And beware the difference when trying to match trolling speeds with what you hear on the radio.

WaveDancer · 08-02-2008, 07:34 AM

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I have all my electronics set up to read knots and nautical miles so I will be sure to pay close attention to reports I get to be sure to tell the difference between mph and knots.

Concerning prop wash, does it aid in the attraction of fish or presentation of you gear as someone has suggested or does it not really matter?

That is something I really never considered before.

Once again thanks for all the responses.

WD.

onaga · 08-02-2008, 09:02 PM

Hold on to your wallet......

ChrisCurtis · 08-02-2008, 10:40 PM

Concerning prop wash, does it aid in the attraction of fish or presentation of you gear as someone has suggested or does it not really matter?

That is something I really never considered before.

WD.[/quote]

ABSOLUTELY the prop wash is a major attractant to tuners, they can see that commotion (like other tuna crashing bait maybe?) from much further than they see your lure, bro.

Lure 'em in and give 'em somthin' to chew on!!

Northwest Pest · 08-02-2008, 11:56 PM

Run my 9.9 honda at full throttle and hit fish with swim baits n plugs. It is much better on fuel than my 150 two stroke.