OFFSHORE TROLLING & TEASERS

Skirted Trolling Lure

A hard head with long vinyl skirts that pushes bubbles and smoke as it's trolled, the standard offshore lure for marlin, mahi, wahoo and tuna.

DepthSurface, trolled

ActionSmoke trail & splash

WhereBlue water, weed lines, FADs, drop-offs

LevelIntermediate

How to fish it

1
Rig it with a single or double hook on heavy mono or cable (wire if wahoo are around), with the hook tucked inside the skirt.
2
Set a spread of lures at different distances behind the boat, placing each one on a clean wave so it pops and dives without tumbling.
3
Troll around 7-9 knots and watch each lure; it should dig in, push a trail of bubbles, then come back up.
4
On a strike, keep the boat moving a moment to help set the hook, then clear the other lines and fight the fish.

Run a skirt over a rigged ballyhoo when fish are picky; you get the lure's smoke and the smell and feel of real bait.
Check every lure for weed after each pass; one piece of sargassum on the hook kills the action.
Rinse skirts in fresh water after each trip so they stay soft and keep their color.

Putting every lure at the same distance so they tangle and look like one target.
Skirts too short or long for the hook, leaving the point exposed or buried.