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Practical guides you can take on the boat. Print them, laminate them, use them.

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WA Trolling Spread Patterns

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Four proven 5-position trolling spreads for WA waters. Visual diagrams showing lure positions, distances, speeds, and target species. Print it, laminate it, take it on the boat.

What's Included:

  • Pattern 1: Surface Pelagic (5.5kn) – Salmon, Skipjack, Bonito
  • Pattern 2: Mid-Depth Pelagic (6.5kn) – Kingfish, Samsonfish
  • Pattern 3: Slow Troll Demersals (2.5kn) – Snapper, Breaksea, KGW
  • Pattern 4: High Speed Pelagic (7.5kn) – Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi
  • 5-position spread guide with deploy order and gear recommendations
📄 PDF Format 🖨️ Print-ready A4 size
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Trolling Guides

Reference guides for setting up and running effective trolling spreads.

Lure Head Types

Quick Reference

Different head shapes create different actions. Match the head to your spread position for best results.

Head Types & Where to Run Them:

  • Bullet Head – Smooth swimming, cuts through water. Best for shotgun position (furthest back).
  • Pusher Head – Popping action with light bubble trail. Good mid-spread.
  • Smoker/Chugger – Large smoky bubble trails. Run in clear water on outriggers.
  • Slant Head – Diving and surfacing action, mimics jumping baitfish. Great with rattles.
  • Scoop Slant – Dives deep with side-to-side shutter. Works well in the wash.

Spread Types

3 / 5 / 8 Lure

Scale your spread to your boat size, crew experience, and conditions.

Choose Your Spread:

  • 3 Lure Spread – Shotgun + two corners. Perfect for small boats, no outriggers, or solo fishing. Easy to manage.
  • 5 Lure Spread – The classic. Shotgun, long/short riggers, long/short corners. Needs outriggers and 2+ crew.
  • 8 Lure Spread – Full tournament rig. Adds double barrel shotgun and two flats for down-rigging. Expert crews only.
See detailed diagrams Position-specific lure recommendations
View Full Trolling Guide →

Trolling Patterns

6 Patterns

How you move through an area matters as much as what you're towing. Pick the right pattern for the situation.

Pattern Selection:

  • Circle – Around structure, FADs, or bait schools. Stay on the fish.
  • Clover – Systematic coverage of an area. Good for searching new ground.
  • Box – Working a reef edge or drop-off methodically.
  • Figure Eight – Staying on a productive area without ever leaving it.
  • Zig Zag – Covering maximum ground while searching for fish.
  • U-Turn – Working back over a strike zone after a hookup or missed bite.

Troubleshooting Your Spread

Common Fixes

Problems happen. Here's how to diagnose and fix the most common trolling issues on the water.

Problem → Solution:

  • Blow Out – Lure jumping out of water. Fix: adjust entry angle, slow down, or set further back.
  • Flip Tangle – Hook catches on leader. Fix: check hook position, adjust speed, use stiffer leader.
  • Line Bow – Too much slack. Fix: add line weight or increase trolling speed.
  • Lure Spinning – Tracking sideways. Fix: check for damage, adjust tow point, reduce speed.
  • Tangles on Turns – Lines crossing. Fix: run shorter setbacks, bring in outside lines before turning.

Rough Weather Tactics

Adapt & Catch

You don't need flat seas to troll effectively. Adjust your approach and keep fishing.

Heavy Weather Adjustments:

  • Run lures closer – Shorter setbacks give better control in swell.
  • Add weight – Keeps lures down and reduces tangles in rough conditions.
  • Reduce spread – Drop to 3 lures instead of 5. Easier to manage.
  • Heavy heads – Use heavier slant heads that track better through turbulence.
  • Fish go deep – In rough weather, fish hold lower. Consider down-rigging.

Scent & Attractants

Edge Factor

Adding scent can make a real difference, especially when targeting billfish and tuna.

Working with Scent:

  • Scent trail – Fish track bait by smell over long distances. Create a trail back to your spread.
  • Bait chambers – Some lures have chambers for fresh bait. Pack with tuna, bonito, or squid.
  • Teasers – Run scented teasers on the flats to pull fish into the spread from further out.
  • Fresh is best – When you hook up, gut the fish and add guts to your teasers immediately.

🚧 Coming Soon

More resources in development. Check back regularly.

Species ID Cards

Printable cards with species photos, size limits, bag limits, and identification tips. Laminate and keep on board.

In Development

Seasonal Calendars

Month-by-month guides showing what's biting in each bioregion. Plan your trips around the best windows.

In Development

Rig Diagrams

Step-by-step visual guides for tying effective rigs. Paternoster, running sinker, trolling rigs, and more.

In Development

Gear Checklists

Pre-trip checklists for different fishing styles. Never forget essential gear again.

In Development

Fillet Guides

Step-by-step filleting instructions for different species. Get the most out of your catch.

In Development