Rigging and Spread Setup

Rigging - This is a critical step in getting the most out of any trolling lure.  I like to run reasonably small hooks - my favourites are 8/0 or 9/0 Owner Jobu's but any hook without an offset in about that size range is fine.  If the hook is too big it will kill the action of the lure.  I like to set the hook back in the lure so that the point of the hook is just clear of the ends of the skirt.

I tend to use reasonably light leader - 100lb -150lb works fine for me - but I've tested all Voyager Lures on leader up to 200lb and they work just fine.  200lb also makes leadering the fish a bit nicer on your gloved hands.  I feel that you get a few less bites and the lures are a little more affected by the winds if you fish heavier leader.

One key thing to get right with your leader is to ensure the line is straight between the head of the lure and the hook.  The hook is a keel that helps the whole system perform well.  You can use a wire trace between the head and hook if you like or you can simply run the mono straight through to the hook but use a twist held by a second crimp to get the whole shebang straight.  The second crimp also acts as a stopper to position the hook within the skirt appropriately.

The Spread - There are countless bits of info available online but in general you'll want to run your short cup style lures closest to the boat and in a dark colour so it stands out against the whitewash generated by the boat.  I usually run my short corners about the second pressure wave back - perhaps 10-15m.  Try to get your lure on the front face of the pressure wave.  Moving to your long corners you usually want a slightly longer lure head design. The medium cup MC190 and slants SX190 and VX220 perform best with a bit of line out - perhaps 30-40m or the 3rd or 4th pressure wave.  Now it's shotgun time.  The lure in the middle of the spread run well out the back.  I like to position the lure just as the boat wash has dissipated. On moderate and rough days chuck out a slant or a heavy bomb.  On a calm to moderate sea day use a bullet - the Ballistic is ideal, they are a simple straight runner and don't seem to do much, but the fish demolish them!  On really calm bright days run your bullet well back 60+meters.  Just keep in mind that having huge amounts of line out makes it hard for other people to navigate around you.