How much line do you let out TUNA

[My Limit]

You will have to forgive my lack of knowledge in this area, but this is my first year Tuna fishing. I'm wondering how fast I troll and how do you know how much line to let out?

I understand the clones drag along near the surface. How far back do you want them from the boat? Do you stagger them like depths when salmon fishing?

Thanks!

[wthr4d]

what you want ot read is this article. since the search function here isnt working very well, I wont chastise you with a search link as this has been talked about repeatedly.

Start here and come back with more specific questions, young padwan of the TUNA!

TUNA trainer link

just one thing...everything you read is not always true and truth isnt always in what you read.

Paul

[My Limit]

Thanks, I've been having a lot of problems with the search section.

[Pilar]

I can see Bob's point of view. Some things that I can totally agree with.

1) You have the school near the surface when you get a double or even a single.

2) They will move on soon unless they are actively pounding bait at the surface.

3) Efficiency is important. Catch more than one at a time and clear lines quickly and send them back in to get another fish.

So I try to run the lures at about the same distance from the boat. We use handlines and standup. The handlines I run 100 ft at the corners and a shorter one with a splasher/teaser in the middle, 60 to 80 ft. The rods are 10 to 20 feet back from the corners. This forms a VEE, close in the middle and out farther on the corners.

If the bite is on I use all the same color. It really helps to know which lure is working so we talk about it on the radio. If I am prospecting then I mix the lures, different colors and sizes. If one is more productive than another then I will change them over one at a time.

Check the lines every 15 minutes to clean off the weeds. A fouled rig will catch nothing.

Haul your handlines into a bucket so you can get it back into action. Nothing fouls a handline like having a TUNA! thrown on it lying on the deck and letting him tangle it with his thrashing tail.

Speed varies. 6 to 9 mph. Avoid going one speed or trolling in a straight line all day. Turn carefully to avoid tangles but turn often, speed up and slow down.

When bit, drive on for at least 30 seconds and turn slightly towards the side of the boat that is bit. Slow down if you have to after that but at speed the other lines are still fishing.

Throw chunks on a strike. Chopped herring or sardine works. Also pump blood over the side on a strike.

Go fishing with an experienced dog and watch some or all of these tricks in action.

Good luck.

[Draggin' Bait]

I'm hardly the most experienced tuna fan around, but we do OK when we have a chance to go. We run six lines, forming an inverted V (point closest to the boat). The nearest lines are usually about 40 feet back, the next two about 60, and the outside lines about 80 feet. However, that is what works FOR MY BOAT. Each boat/engine combo can be expected to produce a slightly different wake profile, and I would expect that each skipper will want to adjust line lengths to best show his lures to the fish.

[My Limit]

Great info guys! Thanks