Mahi Mahi, Trolling Lures, Trolling Techniques

Chasing Spring Mahi with Captain Chase Edgren of Last Cast Charleston

Chasing Spring Mahi with Captain Chase Edgren of Last Cast Charleston

Savannah Barnes |

Spring Mahi trolling lure spread explained.

Brandon Carter recently caught up with Captain Chase Edgren from Last Cast Charleston to talk about chasing mahi and what it takes to dial in a solid spread during the spring meatfish season.

Getting into Offshore Fishing:

Chase’s journey into sport fishing began when he and his wife, who is an active-duty Air Force pilot, moved to Charleston, SC. During their downtime, they picked up scuba diving and bottom fishing, which quickly turned into a shared passion for offshore fishing. That passion evolved into a business, and now Chase runs Last Cast Charleston, a year-round charter service targeting mahi, tuna, and wahoo just off the Low country coast.

Dialing in the Spread for Mahi Season:

With water temps warming up by mid-April, the mahi start to show up. Chase mentioned the sweet spot for him is around 73.6°F - once it hits that number, it’s game on.

 For the start of mahi season, Chase uses a bit of everything to figure out what the fish are keying in on. His trolling spread includes lures in pinks, blues, reds, and oranges, with teaser elements like bird chains and Fathom Offshore agitator bars. Last year, lure color pinks and whites were hot, while the year before it was all about rainbows. What will attract the bite this year?

A Look at Chases Setup:

Here’s how Chase typically sets up his trolling spread:

Gear Tips for New Offshore Anglers:

If you’re just getting into offshore meatfishing, Chase personally recommends Shimano 30 wides or Penn 60s, these rods are backed with 500 yards of braid and topped with 350 yards of 40lb mono and 80lb leaders. A 50-wide reel isn’t essential but can help if you’re pulling larger lures or using planers. These lines are braided with 70lb mainline, giving you the strength and flexibility needed offshore.

Fine-Tuning for Success:

Chase likes to pull trolling lures for added splash and to draw more attention to his spread. He’ll mix at least one resin lure behind the teaser to be ready for heavier hitters like blue marlin, he also prefers to keep lures farther back than his teasers, so they mimic fish chasing bait.

Speed and Spread Control:

The boat runs around 7 knots, which is fast enough to get lures to track cleanly through the water without skipping. This speed also helps with keeping dead bait looking natural and avoiding washout, chuggers are also great additions to your dead bait to prevent washout.

Pulling Dredges: A Pro Move:

Chases thoughts on dredges? The more variety, the better. Pulling dredges with a mix of colors gives your spread a lifelike feel that mahi and tuna can’t resist.

He recommends running two teasers on each side of the boat, usually pink, green, or purple squid chains and lures that stir up surface commotion to attract pelagics from a distance.

Rigging and Organization Tips:

The crew uses TrollingMate 5-gallon bucket inserts to keep rigged lures and baits organized.

They also use Fathom lures with pre-rigged ballyhoo setups, using 6 feet of 100lb mono and stainless steel 7/0 long shank hooks, 80lb mono also works if that’s what you’ve got on hand.

After each pull, lures are inspected for chafing, and a fresh ballyhoo rig is always prepped on deck to switch out if needed.

Final Advice:

Stay aware of not just your spread but what’s happening around it. Fish can pop up at any time, and being ready to adjust your layout on the fly can make the difference between a slow day and a box full of mahi.

Book Your Trip:

If you’re planning a charter out of Charleston, SC, check out Last Cast Charleston. You can find them on Facebook and Instagram @last_cast_charleston or book directly through their website at lastcastchs.com.