Fathom Offshore: A Beginners Guide to Tournament-Ready Offshore Tackle and Trolling Lure Techniques on the Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report.
On the Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Podcast hosted by Luke Barton, he, and Brandon Carter, one of the founders of Fathom Offshore, discuss a few key trolling lure techniques, and provide you with essential tips for using Fathoms’ entire line of offshore tackle products to help make your next trip to the blue water a success.
Fathom Offshore Backstory
Fathom Offshore was founded with a simple mission: to build quality offshore fishing tackle that could withstand the most demanding conditions while continuously innovating and improving. The company is dedicated to tinkering with new ideas and creating American made tackle products that help offshore anglers stay ahead of the curve. One image from photographer Marc Montocchio changed everything and transformed Fathom lures from a garage hobby to a key player in the offshore fishing tackle world. The high-quality underwater image depicts the Pepal Grande lure in Liquid Dolphin, one of their top selling trolling lures to this day, hooking a free swimming Blue Marlin. To see this image and the lure behind the story, click here!
The Evolution of Marlin Lures
Marlin lures are at the heart of Fathom Offshores product lineup, and they have a deep connection to traditional Hawaiian-style trolling lures of the past. These lures were historically crafted from wood, lead, and resins often found at local marine supply stores. Even the classic cedar plug was fashioned in this manner, and many are still being used by fishermen today. Fathom has taken this age-old design and modernized it, offering a range of trolling lures, teaser options, and innovative designs for all kinds of offshore species.
The shapes, sizes, and colors of these offshore lures vary depending on geographical location and the water conditions. For example, larger Blue Marlin lures and teasers are often used to attract big tournament-quality fish, while smaller lures may be used for different smaller species such as mahi, tuna and wahoo.
Choosing the Right Lures – “Put a Variety in the Water & See What’s Biting”
The spread is key – Aggressive extra-large teasers are designed to lure in those tournament winning heavy hitters. However, when fishing for other species (including meat fish and smaller billfish like Sailfish and White marlin) it’s crucial to mix in smaller lures to diversify your spread. Adding dead bait such as ballyhoo, mullet and Spanish Mackerel to your spread can also be effective. A variety of lures in the water allows you to see which one the fish are responding to.
“Matching the Hatch” and Understanding Your Target Species
An important aspect of offshore fishing is "matching the hatch," or selecting lures that resemble the natural prey of the fish you're targeting. For example, using an artificial dredge is a great way to draw attention to your spread and increase your chances of attracting fish. Additionally, it’s essential to understand the species you're targeting. Fish like White Marlin and Sailfish are more easily spooked by your spread compared to larger fish like Blue Marlin, which tend to bite with a little more aggression.
When targeting more skittish species, you may need to adjust your gear. This could mean downsizing your leader or switching to smaller lures to avoid spooking those more leader shy species.
Properly Rigging Lures for Success
When it comes to rigging your lures, Brandon emphasizes the importance of using high-quality components and stainless hooksets made from cable. To see the video he mentions during the podcast on how to make offshore trolling lure hooksets with cable, CLICK HERE. This helps prevent chaffing and ensures your gear stands up to tough conditions. The trolling lures themselves are equipped with lure skirts made from plastisol, a slick durable material that resists tangling around your hookset that would prevent a bite. Cutting the skirts back about a half inch from the hook tip also helps prevent tangling, and turning hooks upright helps the lure maintain its proper action. Hook locks are also essential to keep lures upright and functional. To watch a quick video on this process, check out our lure rigging video HERE.
Maintenance: A Key to Longevity
Proper maintenance is crucial to preserving your offshore tackle’s performance. After your fishing trip, consider using lure bags to store and hang your lures. Hosing them down with fresh water will help prevent rust, keeping your gear in top condition. If you sharpen your hooks, use a Sharpie on the tip to prevent rust. The Sharpie ink will fill in the micro abrasions created in the electroplating finish created when the hook is sharpened. As Brandon reminds us, much of the preparation happens before you even get on the boat so: get organized, so you can stay organized.
Why Lures Are Essential for High-Speed Fishing
Using lures instead of dead bait can be more beneficial when fishing at higher speeds. This allows the angler to cover more fishable ground versus the slower speeds (5knts) demanded by trolling dead bait. Unlike ballyhoo, trolling lures don’t get washed out, allowing you to maintain faster trolling speeds without losing the effectiveness of your spread. Your ideal speed will depend on the action you want to see in your lures. When Blue Marlin fishing for instance, a speed of 8 to 10 knots is typically optimal. However, when trolling smaller lures for dolphin and tuna, you’re likely to be in the 6-8knt range.
Another key takeaway from the discussion is to never run past fish to find fish. Make sure you’re not ignoring or disregarding signs such as (baitfish, bottom structure, temperature breaks) simply to arrive at a pre-determined destination on your GPS. Deploy your spread where the fish are and keep an eye on your lures to make sure you are seeing that methodic 4-5 second chug / action sequence.
Fish On!
With offshore fishing, rigging and preparation should happen off the boat. Get everything organized and ready to implement ahead of time. Making sure your tackle and lures are ready when you do run up on schools of fish or when you ultimately arrive at your trolling destination. Use your fishing time to be fishing; you can’t catch fish with no hooks in the water. He suggests, creating a system that works for you, and that you're comfortable with. Develop a game plan with everyone on board for clearing the deck when you get a fish on. Once your spread is set out, don't assume the job is done. Constantly check to ensure everything is pulling correctly and adjust as needed, you don’t want “lazy lures” ruining your spread. Check for grass!!
Whether you're aiming for a trophy Blue Marlin or filling the cooler for mahi tacos, remember, preparation is key, from rigging your lures to maintaining your gear, and always keep an eye on your spread for maximum success.
Check out the entire Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Podcast here.