Use 12lb - 20lb test tackle ,6-7ft. rod (trolling) or a conventional reel on a live bait rod.

Boat spinning rods have a stout tip and a long butt, fit the rod holder and much easier

to fight the fish with.

Best Brands: Garcia, Cardinal, Penn, Diawa, Shimano

Use ceramic guides

Do not buy commercial King rigs, they are way to heavy.

Use 27lb. test coffee colored cable or #5 wire leader., and 3 #4(4X) coffee colored treble hooks. For Amberjacks use single hook and #7(40lb) wire

SLOW TROLLING RIG

Strip Baits

Albacore make the best strip baits. To catch them troll 1 1/2 oz. sea witch without a strip at 15mph.

The grain of the albacore strip must be with the flow of the water. Make the strips about 6-7inches long, shorter strips in the fall(4-5inches).

The faster you troll the thinner and longer you cut the strips.

Bevel the edge of the bait. Make the strips thin, if need be they may be shaved down.

Pull at 3-4kts. , 1/2 the speed of spoons.

You actually use 2 leaders with strip baits

1. Use 3-4 feet of #9 wire attached to the feather with a Haywire twist, leaving a 2 1/2 in.

tag for attaching the strip bait. Leave the tag pointing in the same direction as the point of the hook.

2. Use 20 feet of 150 lb. test monofilament, attach a 1/0 black coast lock swivel on the end of the monofilament leader. You attach the wire leader to the monofilament and the swivel with a haywire twist.

If the sea witch will not stay under the surface from it’s own weight either go to a 1/2oz. feather or attach a light bead chain weight at the end of the monofilament leader.

BASIC KING MACKEREL TROLLING

Use #31/2 Drone spoon either silver or chartreuse, pull at approx. 6-8kts. The hook in a Drone may be replaced when it wears out or rust. Simply bend the tab on the back of the spoon with pliers and the tab will snap off and the hook will drop out. You then put the new hook in place and bend the tab one with pliers.

After you use a Drone spoon for awhile you will notice it will “rattle”. You can tighten it up by putting it on a hard surface and pushing down on the bend of the hook. This will tighten it and stop the rattle.

RIGGING FOR KINGS WITH 3 1/2 DRONE SPOON

Use 20 feet of 150lb. test monofilament. Attach the spoon using a uni-knot and a Surgeons End Loop at the other end. Use a 8oz. to a 1lb beaded chain weight. Pull at 6-8kts.