Any Mac Trolling Fisherman?

[bscott]

I drag two canvas buckets behind the @ 800 rpm, 1.3 knts, leaded line with Mack trolling gear. WM stainless rod holders on stern pulpits.

Bob

[elvatoli]

Can you reduce sailing speed, dragging the canvas bucket nehind the sailboat ?, and maybe using just the main sail ?
Or what you can do to sail at a reduced speed of 2 knots, with a 15 mph wind .

Hector
RGV, TX

[bscott]

evatoli--I have drifted bare poles with my engine down at 1.5 kts. I have also drifted "hove to" at about 2 kts. Neither of these give me the control to troll w/buckets and engine near the shore, especially landing fish. I don't know why you can't stow the main and reef the jib although I was sailing short handed, jib only, 20-30 at 5.5 kts on a 100% std jib a few days ago.

Bob

[DaveB]

Never used a down rigger, used spreaders that gets it down with leaders. On my 35 Alberg thru East Coast and Caribbean I used 200 lb test line and the free winch to haul up the Catch. Many Dolphin ,yellow fin tuna, Jacks always had fresh fish on the table.I had the line hooked to a bell off the Stern stanchion.
Only problem was we often caught fish in the 25-50 lb range and took up all our refrig. space until we got to Port and Barter for other items.
I would troll here in SW Florida if we had Dolphin,Jacks or Barracuda, all we get is King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel and they are to oily.
Dave

Having recently purchased my M and still wanting to fish, I'm interested in hearing anyone's views on placing an electric downrigger somewhere in the cockpit. I'm looking at the Scotty 5' extension with dual rod holders. Has anyone else done this already ?