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Charted WatersCoastal Virginia
Sheet 07 of 28

intermediate rig

Lure presentation

Basic trolling setup

Cover distance and let the boat do the searching.

Best for
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and open-water searching from a boat.
Water
Inshore boatOffshore
Basic trolling setup schematicTop to bottom: main line, weight, leader, swivel, lure.

Schematic, not to scale. Hover, tap, or tab through the parts; the drawing isolates each one.

Terms usedMain lineSinkerLeaderSwivelPresentation

Components

As listed in the rig record, top to bottom.

  1. Conventional or heavy spinning rod with a rod holder
  2. Inline weight or small planer
  3. 20–40 ft leader
  4. Small casting spoons or feathered lures
  5. Ball-bearing swivels to reduce line twist

Step by step

  1. 1Set the rods in secure holders before deploying anything.
  2. 2Attach the spoon to the long leader and the leader to the planer or weight.
  3. 3Let line out gradually while the boat holds a steady speed.
  4. 4Stagger two lines at different distances to avoid tangles.
  5. 5Slow into turns so lines do not cross.

When to use it

  • Bait visible on the surface or on electronics
  • Calm to moderate open-water conditions
  • Warm-season fast-moving fish

Common mistakes

  • Trolling too slowly for fast pelagic species
  • Skipping swivels and building severe line twist
  • Deploying lines before rods are secured

Variations

Trolling setups: the same idea, adjusted

Rigs drawn from the same schematic family — heavier, lighter, or with one part changed for a different fish or water.

All lure rigs

Where to use it

Water this rig is documented for

Spots marked “species match” document a fish this rig is for and the way it is fished — a place to try it, not a report that it has been fished there.

All fishing spots