Dead Bait Drop Back
You are on an Albacore
trip, the boat is trolling and suddenly five guys yell "Hooookuup!!!"
The Captain now takes the boat out of gear and slides the boat to a stop
while turning right or left. Usually the first guys to cast a bait over
the side will hook up. At this point it's usually pandemonium at the bait
tank as anglers scramble to get a live bait pinned on and over the side!
Be prepared. Early on in the trip ask a deck hand which direction that his
Captain likes to slide the boat after a jig strike. Tie your rig with a
1 ounce rubber core sinker 18 to 24 inches above your hook and then trim
the rubber ears off. When the trolling begins, pin on a live bait with the
hook coming up through the bottom of the jaw and up through upper jaw ahead
of the eyes. Now take a spot at the railing on the side that the boat will
turn toward. Your bait will die but that doesn't matter. When "Hooookuup"
is yelled, cast your bait out and let it freespool with your thumb lightly
on the spool. Often you'll be the first bait to hookup! Try this trick from
the bow to avoid the traffic jam on the stern.
