TROLLING:
This is
presenting a bait or lure from a powered craft, moving at speeds ranging from 1
knot > 12 knots, dependant upon species sought. Usually baits/lures are
presented in the upper layers of the water column, and is a system used in more
distant waters for pelagic species. Trolling can be used successfully in Irish
waters for such species as Albacore, Atlantic Bonito, Chubb Mackerel, Atlantic
Mackerel and Porbeagle Sharks. A special adaptation for deep trolling with
downriggers is practiced in Californian waters for Thresher Sharks. The system
is under-utilized in Irish waters, and would with time and development probably
prove to be the key to showing more ‘pelagic’ species in our waters and
would definitely prove the presence of Tunas and Makos in greater numbers than
is currently thought.
DRIFTING:-
Is presenting baits from a boat moving at the dictates of the tide and wind.
Baits are presented either fully on the bottom or in the upper layers. This is
one of the more established methods of contacting larger sharks in Irish waters
especially when accompanied by attractant methods such as rubby-dubby. This
method could be developed further by utilizing live-baits presented on finer
traces and contact species not usually encountered with dead bait presentations.
In other parts of the world, this method is used with great success for a
variety of pelagic species, and when compared to trolling is considered as
covering a smaller area more thoroughly. Drifting and trolling can both be used
to repeatedly cover fish holding areas, by returning with the power of the boat,
this method is currently used on a smaller scale for wreck and reef fishing.
ANCHORING:-
Nearly all species can be caught from an anchored boat, although with some of
the larger and more active species this leaves the angler at a distinct
disadvantage. Baits and lures can be presented more accurately at a variety of
depths from an anchored boat and hence address specific fish holding areas. The
majority of Irish shark species are
mainly bottom feeders and hold around set terrain features, so anchoring allows
bait presentation with accuracy. Pelagic swimming species from an anchored boat
are an enlightenment, species normally caught from a drifting boat suddenly
become much stronger in their fight and real consideration should be given to
amounts of fishing line on reels before starting