Trolling Lures - Offshore Fishing Basics with Roddy Hays

When it comes to offshore fishing for big game pelagic species like blue marlin, wahoo, and tuna, few anglers have as much worldwide experience as Roddy Hays and RJ Boyle. These seasoned fishermen have spent a lifetime pulling baits and lures in renowned fishing destinations such as Madeira, the Azores, Bermuda, Hawaii, New Zealand, the Bahamas, and Australia. Their time on the water has translated into a wealth of trolling lure wisdom, which they generously share in this insightful video.

The Innovative Genius of Roddy Hays

Roddy Hays is a true innovator in the world of offshore fishing. Despite being somewhat elusive, he is quite open about sharing his knowledge gained from roaming the oceans, fishing for big fish, and setting world records. His lure designs are cutting-edge and often misunderstood. In this video, Hays lays out a general assortment of lure heads and walks viewers through each one, examining how each design performs in the water under various sea conditions and discussing where each is best suited to swim in the different spread positions.

Dissecting Trolling Lure Head Shapes

It is fascinating to watch and listen as Hays and Boyle dissect different trolling lure head shapes. They discuss the unique hookup characteristics of long head lures run in the shotgun position, the digging and surging of cupped heads as they carve their way through the water, and the effects of adding jets to relieve pressure on the lure. The duo also delves into the versatility and productivity of slant head lures or super plungers, which originated with Hawaiian lure developers.

Insights for Blue Marlin Fishing Beginners

For those new to offshore fishing, RJ Boyle selects several lures that he recommends for an offshore trolling spread when targeting blue marlin. He explains why cupped face, slant heads, tubes, and bullets all work well at various times and for various fish. Boyle also discusses how the design dynamics and quality craftsmanship of a lure affect its swim characteristics, providing valuable insights for beginners looking to improve their blue marlin fishing success.

Never Stop Learning

The video encourages viewers to watch and learn from these two great fishing minds as they share thoughts and experiences on what has worked for them around the world. Year in and year out, certain lures consistently catch fish, and this video offers a unique perspective on how specific shapes and sizes work in the spread, the ideal sea conditions to run them in, and how changing rigger positions affects action. Viewers will also learn how the length and contour of a lure head determine how the lure swims, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to improve their marlin fishing skills.