Can You Fish While Moving on a Ship?

Learn how to fish while moving on a ship with our expert trolling guide. Discover techniques, gear, speeds, and regulations for success.

Fishing from a moving vessel, commonly known as trolling, is an exhilarating and effective technique that allows anglers to cover vast expanses of water while targeting a variety of fish species. Whether you’re on a recreational boat, a sportfishing yacht, or even a cargo ship traversing the Pacific Ocean, trolling offers a unique opportunity to catch prized game fish like mahi-mahi, tuna, marlin, and wahoo. This guide delves into the intricacies of trolling, providing detailed insights into techniques, equipment, optimal speeds, safety considerations, legal regulations, and special considerations for fishing from cargo ships. With practical tips and expert advice, you’ll be well-equipped to make your next trolling adventure a success.

What Is Trolling?

Trolling is a fishing method that involves dragging baited hooks or lures through the water behind a moving boat. The motion of the boat imparts action to the bait or lure, mimicking the movement of prey to attract predatory fish. Trolling is versatile, applicable in freshwater lakes, rivers, and saltwater environments, from nearshore waters to the open ocean. Its effectiveness stems from the ability to cover large areas, increasing the likelihood of encountering fish.

The technique is particularly popular for targeting pelagic species—fish that roam the open water, such as tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and billfish (marlin, sailfish). However, it’s also effective for freshwater species like salmon, trout, bass, and walleye. Trolling requires careful coordination of boat speed, equipment, and presentation to maximize success while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.

Why Troll? The Advantages of Fishing on the Move

Trolling offers several advantages that make it a preferred method for many anglers:

• Coverage: Trolling allows you to cover vast areas of water, increasing your chances of finding fish.
• Versatility: It’s effective in diverse environments, from shallow lakes to deep ocean waters.
• Targeting Specific Depths: With the right equipment, you can present baits at precise depths where fish are holding.
• Excitement: The thrill of a strike from a large game fish, combined with the dynamic environment of a moving boat, makes trolling addictive.
• Group Activity: Multiple lines can be deployed, allowing several anglers to fish simultaneously, fostering camaraderie.

However, trolling also presents challenges, such as maintaining optimal speed, avoiding line tangles, and navigating safely. These challenges can be mitigated with proper planning and equipment, which we’ll explore in detail.

Optimal Trolling Speeds

Speed is the cornerstone of successful trolling. The boat’s speed determines how the bait or lure moves through the water, influencing its attractiveness to fish. The ideal trolling speed varies depending on the target species, water conditions, and type of bait or lure used.

General Speed Guidelines

• Too Fast: Speeds above 10–12 knots can make lures spin unnaturally, reducing their appeal and potentially damaging gear. For example, a cargo ship steaming at 12–15 knots is generally too fast for effective trolling.
• Too Slow: Insufficient speed may fail to impart enough action to lures, especially for species like wahoo that chase fast-moving prey.
• Adjusting for Conditions: Currents and wind can affect lure movement. Troll crosscurrent to maintain consistent lure speed, and adjust RPMs when moving upcurrent or downcurrent. Observe the lure closest to the boat—if it’s spinning chaotically, slow down until it swims naturally.

Tips for Speed Management

1. Vary Speed: If the bite is slow, experiment with slight speed changes (e.g., ±1 knot) to trigger strikes. Fish behavior can change hourly, so flexibility is key.
2. Monitor Wake: Excessive white water from the boat’s wake can obscure lures and disrupt their action. Inboard motors produce less wake, allowing slightly faster trolling than outboards.
3. Use GPS: Modern GPS units can help maintain consistent speed, especially in choppy conditions.

Essential Trolling Equipment

Trolling requires specialized gear to handle the forces of a moving boat and the potential for large fish. Below is a breakdown of the key equipment needed, tailored for both recreational and cargo ship scenarios.

Rods

• Type: Trolling rods are stiffer than casting rods to handle the drag of lures and the weight of fish. For inshore or freshwater trolling, medium-heavy rods (6–7 feet) suffice. Offshore trolling for big game fish requires heavy rods (6½–7½ feet).
• Guides: Offshore rods often feature roller or turbo guides to reduce line friction. Roller guides are ideal for big fish, while turbo guides are lighter and easier to handle.
• Rod Holders: Essential for securing rods on a moving boat. A typical trolling setup uses 2–6 rods in holders along the gunwales.

Example Product: Shimano Tiagra Trolling Rod

• Length: 7 feet
• Power: Heavy
• Guides: Roller
• Price: ~$250–$300

Reels

• Type: Conventional reels are preferred for trolling due to their high line capacity and durability. Two-speed reels (e.g., Shimano Talica) are ideal for offshore fishing, allowing quick shifts between high-speed retrieval and low-speed power for fighting large fish.
• Line Counter Reels: These eliminate guesswork by tracking line length, ensuring consistent lure depth. Basic models are sufficient for most anglers.
• Clicker: A loud clicker alerts anglers to strikes, critical in noisy boat environments.

Example Product: Penn International VI

• Type: Conventional, two-speed
• Line Capacity: 650 yards of 50 lb mono
• Price: ~$500–$600

Lines

• Monofilament: Offers stretch for shock absorption, ideal for high-speed trolling or big game fish. Example: Momoi Hi-Catch Monofilament (~$30 for 1000 yards, 50 lb test).
• Braided Line: Stronger and thinner, allowing deeper trolling and longer runs. Example: PowerPro Spectra (~$40 for 500 yards, 65 lb test).
• Leader: Use monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders (50–100 lb test) to prevent fish from cutting the line.

Riggers

• Outriggers: Long poles that extend lines away from the boat, reducing tangles and presenting baits in clear water. Essential for offshore trolling with multiple lines.
• Downriggers: Use a heavy weight to lower baits to specific depths. A clip releases the line on a strike. Example: Cannon Uni-Troll Manual Downrigger (~$200).
• Planer Boards: Affordable alternatives to downriggers, used to spread lines and control depth. Example: Church Tackle TX-22 Planer Board (~$30 each).

Lures and Baits

• Lures: Skirted lures (e.g., Iland Ilander, ~$20) are effective for billfish and mahi-mahi. Cedar plugs (~$10) and squid squirt lures are popular for tuna and wahoo. Spoons and plugs are versatile for various species.
• Baits: Live or cut bait (squid, ballyhoo, mullet, mackerel) attracts fish with scent. Combine cut bait with skirted lures for offshore trolling.
• Hand Lines: On cargo ships, heavy-duty monofilament hand lines with multiple hooks are common due to limited space. Parachute cord with a mono leader or bungee shock absorbers can enhance durability.

Chart: Trolling Equipment Setup

This chart illustrates how rods, outriggers, downriggers, and planer boards are deployed from a trolling boat to maximize coverage and depth control.

Boat Handling for Trolling

Effective trolling requires precise boat handling to maintain lure action and avoid mishaps.

• Steady Speed and Direction: Consistency is key to keeping lures swimming naturally. Use autopilot or GPS to maintain course in open water.
• Avoid Sudden Movements: Sharp turns or stops can tangle lines or damage gear. On cargo ships, sudden maneuvers are less of a concern due to their size, but coordination with the bridge is essential.
• Positioning: Place rods and lines to allow easy access for casting and retrieval. On cargo ships, the stern is often used, with lines tied to handrails.
• Zigzag Patterns: Vary the boat’s course with gentle S-turns or cloverleaf patterns to alter lure speed and depth, triggering strikes. This mimics natural prey movement.

Safety Considerations

Safety is paramount when trolling, especially on a moving vessel.

• Secure Gear: Ensure rods, reels, and tackle are fastened to prevent them from falling overboard. On cargo ships, limited deck space increases the risk of gear loss.
• Awareness: Monitor other vessels, obstacles (e.g., buoys, debris), and weather conditions. Use radar and VHF radio for communication.
• Personal Safety: Wear life jackets, especially on smaller boats or in rough seas. On cargo ships, follow crew safety protocols.
• Shark Awareness: In tropical waters like the Pacific, sharks may steal bait or fish. Reel in quickly to avoid losing your catch.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Fishing regulations vary by region and must be followed to avoid fines or environmental harm.

• Local Regulations: Check fishing laws for areas like Hawaii, Guam, Diego Garcia, Subic Bay, and Okinawa. For example:
• Hawaii: Requires a fishing license for non-residents; restricts certain species and areas (e.g., marine sanctuaries).
• Diego Garcia: Fishing may be restricted due to military operations; permits are often required.
• Guam: Regulations protect reef fish; trolling offshore is generally permitted but check for seasonal closures.
• International Waters: In the Pacific near the equator, international waters have fewer restrictions, but respect marine protected areas (MPAs).
• Ciguatera Risk: Avoid eating reef fish (e.g., jacks, snapper) caught near coral reefs, as they may carry ciguatera toxin, which is not neutralized by cooking.
• Environmental Impact: Use circle hooks to reduce bycatch and release undersized or non-target species. Avoid overfishing to preserve ecosystems.
• Cargo Ship Ethics: Fishing from cargo ships should minimize disruption to operations and respect crew responsibilities.

Trolling from Cargo Ships: Special Considerations

Fishing from a cargo ship presents unique challenges due to operational constraints and high speeds.

• Speed Limitations: Cargo ships typically travel at 12–20 knots, far exceeding optimal trolling speeds (2–8 knots). Trolling is only feasible during slow steaming (6–8 knots) or at anchor. For example, anglers near Guam reported success at 6–8 knots using squid lures.
• Space Constraints: Deck space is limited, favoring hand lines over rods. Crews often use long monofilament lines with multiple hooks, tied to railings, as reported by users on X.
• Time Constraints: Fishing must not interfere with duties. Quick setups (e.g., hand lines with squid bait) are preferred.
• Equipment: Basic gear like heavy-duty monofilament, parachute cord, and squid or cedar plug lures is effective. Bungee cords can act as shock absorbers to prevent line breaks.
• Common Catches: Mahi-mahi and wahoo are frequent catches in tropical waters. Tuna is rarer but possible with the right setup. Barracuda is caught at anchor in areas like the Indian Ocean.
• Crew Morale: Fresh fish boosts morale, with meals like sashimi or grilled mahi-mahi fostering camaraderie, as noted by X users.

Table: Cargo Ship Trolling vs. Recreational Trolling

Advanced Trolling Techniques

To elevate your trolling game, incorporate these advanced strategies:

1. Stagger Lines: Set lines at varying distances (50–200 feet) and depths (10–100 feet) to cover more water. Use downriggers or planer boards for deeper lines.
2. Jigging: Periodically jig a rod to impart erratic lure action, triggering strikes from hesitant fish.
3. Crosscurrent Trolling: In areas with strong currents, troll perpendicular to the current to present baits naturally to fish swimming into the current.
4. Low-Light Trolling: Fish shallow waters during dawn, dusk, or cloudy days, when predatory fish move closer to the surface.
5. Mark Strikes: Use a chartplotter to mark waypoints at strike locations, creating a map of fish activity.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Conclusion

Trolling is a dynamic and rewarding fishing technique that allows anglers to target a wide range of species while enjoying the thrill of a moving boat. Whether you’re fishing from a sportfishing yacht or a cargo ship in the Pacific, success hinges on understanding optimal speeds, selecting the right equipment, and prioritizing safety and compliance. For cargo ship anglers, slow steaming or anchoring offers the best opportunities, with hand lines and simple lures proving effective for mahi-mahi and wahoo. By mastering trolling techniques and adapting to your vessel’s constraints, you can turn any voyage into a memorable fishing adventure.

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