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Tangles while trolling

5K views 21 replies 16 participants last post by  backlash442  
#1 Ā·
So as to not hijack Bills post I decided to start this one

I hear most of the TUNA guys talking about tangles
I just don't get it
In the last 6 years I have only had 1 tangle with lines deployed and that was from a crewman not looking and the lines had crossed and he cranked both lines onto one reel until no more line would go on the reel and he asked me to help (this guy is very slow btw) I didn't notice because I was bringing in a TUNA on the other side of the boat
I run 5 rods and sometimes put out 2 hand lines

What exactly causes these tangles you all complain about?
Is it from the Driver not paying attention or is it from the TUNA themselves tangling the lines while performing the death spiral?

In what situations are tangles taking place?
 
#2 Ā·
Hank, I'm with ya. I don't run top shot - maybe I should :shrug: And maybe that's a change I'll make next season. But I've only had one XXL sweater knitted behind the boat and that was with an inexperienced crew. We've had minor tangles, but nothing we couldn't get undone within a couple minutes. But I'm almost convinced to add about 100 yds of topshot just because it is a bit easier to untagle and the extra little "give" of the mono might save a little on the reels. But....that's one more knot in the system, which is probably the biggest factor that's holding me back on this. I'm sure some will think I'm all wet on this, but everyone's got their system.

CrF
 
#8 Ā·
But I've only had one XXL sweater knitted behind the boat and that was with an inexperienced crew.
CrF
LOL! I was able to join on the very next trip (missed this knitting session), and this XXL full body suit of a sweater hadn't gone anywhere, yet. There it was, all stuffed into a bucket, line, lures, hooks, handlines, and all, and presented to me by the skipper on the way out to salvage what I could. :jester:
 
#3 Ā·
I'm not an expert by any means, but when fishing with C&E he just keeps the boat under power while the fish runs away clearing all the other lines. As those lines are brought in the boat is still kept moving slowly and the tuna by that time is back away from any possible tangle. We even hooked doubles and triples and had no tangles. I believe it is all with the CAPTAIN, and Bernie is a great one.....
Merry Christmas to all:Christmas: Fishrite
 
#4 Ā·
I think this happens from not getting all the lines in and coming to a stop with tuna on and lines still in the water. When we were pretty sure now more fish were going to hook up, we'd slow to idle and bring in what lies we needed to, once the rods are stowed we'd coast to a stop and deal with fish - then get the gear back in the water as soon as possible. Only tangle I can recall was when one fish went under the boat and circled on another line - lets just say we didn't get that fish.
 
#5 Ā·
1. Not keeping the boat moving with lines deployed, drift caused.
2. Lines not deployed with proper stagger, to prevent tangles during turns.
3. Lures not running true and getting into adjacent lines/lures.
4. Rookie mistakes, i.e. letting out a shorter line before the longer ones and not paying enough attention to lure location to prevent the tangle.
5. Excessive wind gusts.
6. QUADS!!!
 
#7 Ā·
There are lots of things that cause tangles. It's almost never fish. Albacore just aren't that creative. They generally pull directly away from the pressure, and if you don't pull on them, they won't pull back. They patiently wait there, until someone starts yarding on them.

For me, primarily it is windage combined with too many pieces of gear. Lot's of guys I fish with want 10 lines in the spread, and imho, it just isn't neccesary. Add 20kts of crossing breeze and you will be making sweaters.

Handlines track very different than mono or spectra, so when you are running flat lines in the first wake, and someone wants to put a 100' handline out, that's asking for it. Mono tracks and blows different than spectra, so if you are running 3 pieces of gear with topshot, 3 without, you are asking for it.

Plugs sometimes jump, especially in rough conditions. When they do, they can jump another line.

It's easy to run lots of gear in no wind and greasy calm conditions, but as it gets nastier, I start pulling gear out.
 
#10 Ā·
I have 4 new people on board just about every trip and tangles are a rarity.

1. When in a traditional troll, the boat never stops completely. Slow down and kick in and out of gear, but don't all out stop.
2. Keep track of where the wind is coming from, and before slowing to fight fish, get the boat stern into the wind. Now the boat can come out of gear, but still have forward momentum to keep lines back from the boat.
3. Patience. Lines will over or under wrap. Take the time to stop and undo the twists without worry that the fish will come off.

In a traditional troll I never clear lines. It's been demonstrated over and over again that those jigs that have sunk a ways will often get bit again when you get back on the throttle to resume your troll. If your redeploying all your lines then you've missed an opportunity to hook up.
 
#14 Ā·
I have 4 new people on board just about every trip and tangles are a rarity.

1. When in a traditional troll, the boat never stops completely. Slow down and kick in and out of gear, but don't all out stop.
2. Keep track of where the wind is coming from, and before slowing to fight fish, get the boat stern into the wind. Now the boat can come out of gear, but still have forward momentum to keep lines back from the boat.
3. Patience. Lines will over or under wrap. Take the time to stop and undo the twists without worry that the fish will come off.

In a traditional troll I never clear lines. It's been demonstrated over and over again that those jigs that have sunk a ways will often get bit again when you get back on the throttle to resume your troll. If your redeploying all your lines then you've missed an opportunity to hook up.
So you don't clear any lines when on the troll, or just not all the lines? How many lines do you run? I could see that as difficult if you throw handlines or short corner rods into the mix.
 
#12 Ā·
A Few years ago on a day we should of stayed in close fishing for Salmon, we(Myself, & Kory) decided to try for Tuna, the wind went from W. at 5kts to N. 20+kts on the way to meet up with Maverick, & Kujo at Area 61,& we should of turned around at that time...but nooo, we decided to chase Tuna anyway...cause we were so close by then, we hooked 1 Tuna quickly on the way, & I let Kory set the lines cause I had to stay at the Helm, well after an hour or so without a another bite we decided to check the lines, all 4 lines were tangled...what a mess, 30 min later we were back on the Hunt, & finally met up with the other Guy's, only caught 1 more Tuna as the wind was blowing 25kts by then so we all called it quits, between the rough weather, & Kory not setting the lines correct was the problem, since then I started using long Rod's for the outside lines, & Linecounters, havent had a problem since, only a couple minor tangles, both times with a rookie setting the lines. I still don't use top shot, but can see why so many do.
 
#15 Ā·
I can understand short corner rods because you want to keep the line close to the water on turns. I would think that you would want long rods so that you can manuveur around outboards and so that if your outside rod goes off first you want that line to be above the other rods behind it (aft). Is this the reason?
 
#13 Ā·
I did have a few issues with tangles this season due to trying different setups and running rapalas for the first time. Other than that we don't usually have an issue except for when we have multiple fish hooked up on a fire drill.
 
#16 Ā·
I don't clear lines either for the most part. Most tangles occur if running cedar plugs on outriggers and a long line down the middle with a big clone. The plugs will track different than the clone and can cross if not careful.

Once a fish is hooked, I never totally stop and typically turn towards the side of the boat the fish is on. That allows you to gain back line easily and seems to keep the fish out of the other lines.

I don't run top shots on anything. Tangles are rare especially with the outriggers. I normally run 5 rods and 4 handlines.

Dan
 
#19 Ā·
Like Nalu says. I never clear the lines either. When we slow down the free lines usually sink out of the way & the Tuna pretty much come straight to the boat. Never had a serious tangle!
Ed
 
#21 Ā·
We run seven rods and have not had any tangles from trolling. Tangles or mostly crossed up lines have occurred with fish on. We usually leave the lures in the water, clearing only the ones by the back door. When dealing with larger fish, we have had to clear lines to keep the fish out of the lines. The smaller fish have not been a problem. We also keep the boat moving some, either by kicking the boat in and out of gear or turning with the wind.
 
#22 Ā·
If you don't bait fish there is no need to clear lines. You start chumming you better have everything in and out of the water.

If you use a flat line clip on the corners you will reduce tangles from wind by pretty much 100%.

If you use a Rapala that can't swim straight don't use it. It will definitely cause tangles and it's magnified by speed of boat. Same with swimbaits.