DROP-BACK TO BILLFISH

The art of natural bait trolling lies in the drop-back and hookup. No formula covers all the variables, because every strike is different.

Once the fish strikes, free-spool the reel, with your fingers lightly preventing backlash. Your thumb alone will heat up and recoil, but your fingers control the spool better. Continue to let line peel away, with the boat maintaining speed. Once the fish takes the bait and moves away, the spool will accelerate. When you see or hear that, ease the drag lever forward and wind down to fight the fish.