How to Troll for Rockfish
- 1). Rig up your fishing pole with a three-foot leader off the sinker release and an anchovy bait setup or a light jig (lead-headed lure with a single hook). The leader line must be lighter than your main line, so that if it hangs up, only the leader will break off and you'll be able to get back your sinker release. For the leader, use a 15 to 20 lb. test, while for the main line use a 25 to 30 lb. test.
- 2). Begin trolling. Use a depth finder to locate the rocky bottom.
- 3). Drop your bait down until the sinker makes contact with the bottom. As you troll, try to maintain the sinker contact with the bottom by reeling in and releasing more line. Be alert and adjust your line as you feel changes in the bottom. If you feel like you've gotten too much line out, reel it in and start over.
- 4). Troll at the slowest speed you can while working with the currents.
- 5). Continue to bounce the sinker off the bottom until you get a bite. Then set your hook and reel in your fish.
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