Question for the thresher experts

wils · 05-30-2008, 04:55 PM

What is the recommended trolling speed with rapawlas?

skipjack · 05-30-2008, 05:23 PM

I troll 3 mph.
One time I was going about 9 mph and got a hit.

phishy · 05-30-2008, 06:04 PM

save the sharks!
what ronkies arent enough for you to kill?

jephs422 · 05-30-2008, 06:10 PM

I've trolled cd-18's at salmon speed (1-2 knots) and gotten hit.

**Carnivore** · 05-30-2008, 06:27 PM

Watch the 18's hook size, they are a little big I switch them to 3/0 or 4/0 never going over 6/0 even for live bait. Threshers have smaller mouths then other sharks their same size so keep the hook size lower but get thick shanked hooks. I use CD 12 and 14 but have two 18 fire tigers I will be working this year for Threshers and mako.

Speed is 1-5 and I vary up and down when I have been trolling before. Start as slow as possible then speed up every 15 to 20 minutes then back down. You never know what will catch their eye.

Remember watch the tails on those they are all most as nasty as the teeth can be. Good luck I hope you find some.

wils · 05-30-2008, 07:44 PM

Thanks for all of the tips, guys. We'll be looking for birds working the surface and troll past to see "whassup?". One big rapawla and one 'cuda jig....if we see anything. Nothing too serious as this will be my initial run with the whaler past the lobster grounds.

skipjack · 05-30-2008, 09:09 PM

I rig my rapalas Fred Archer style,with 8/0 southern tuna hooks(7691).
I perfer to use bait-o-matics.I rerig them after I lost 2 of them ($36 each)on hook ups.
Also heard 2nd hand info of a few t sharks being around.

**Carnivore** · 05-30-2008, 09:09 PM

If anyone gets sea sick tell them to take their pills it looks like a bumpy ride.

jephs422 · 05-30-2008, 10:12 PM

A note on the Rapalas, I take of my trebles and replace them with 6/0 j hooks. It lessens my chances of a tail hook and is a lot easier on the sharks. If I'm on a meat hunt however, I leave the trebles on.

makomyday · 08-15-2008, 12:02 PM

Mega bait has a rather nice offering as well. Really nice colors and it dives like a champ. OH and yeah slow slow slow and and you'll hear that zing your wantin. Switchin out hooks is also a great idea as many have told you already. I know this is a touchy topic for some but the only other thing would be to make sure you only take mature T's. Breaks my heart to see all the pups people bring home