TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico Lures and techniques for fishing the SVI in August

I've had trouble catching much on the top-water artificial squid lures, and Stretch underwater lures that I typically tow around the USVI/SVI.
We'll be down there in August and I'm looking for some tips for fishing while sailing around the SVI. Lures, how to fish them, and some locations would be great!

We've fished the south drop off Vieques with lures like the ones below and caught tuna.

My most productive lure for sailboat trolling has been a heavy yellow feather, with a big eye and a squid skirt.
kept way back, just beyond the wake foam and often get the best hits during a tack when it drops down deeper and the speeds up to the surface. If I can work the rod I try and duplicate that action releasing the drag and reeling it back up - way more fun to catch something while the rod is in your hands than rushing back while the line is screaming out while someone is heaving to the vessel.

Of course watch for bird action, fish around anything floating and any big bottom differentials or seamounts.

Thanks Local Sailor!

"heavy yellow feather, with a big eye and a squid skirt"

Could you post a picture of what this looks like?

http://www.candhlures.com/tuna-lures/ahi-slayer-feather.html look at the yellow ones

http://www.candhlures.com/no-alibi-lures/trolling-feather.html

http://www.candhlures.com/tuna-lures/tuna-whacker-feather.html

4oz or bigger
if you just buy the feather lure you can dress them with a different color skirt added on.

Sold!

Cheers, RickG

Awesome LocalSailor. Thanks for the links.
I'll pick some of these up before the trip!

Other suggestions welcome!

A few days ago I finished a 10 day charter (BVI trip) with a guest who wanted to fish all the time. We used ballyhoo and some lures. The Sargasso weed was so bad in places it pretty much made trolling impossible. As much time was spent clearing weeds as actually trolling. The most successful fishing was off the boat when anchored. Send me a PM if you are interested in some pre-rigged frozen ballyhoo. I've been very successful catching tuna around the humps just east of Culebrita. I've also had very good luck within a half mile of the very eastern tip of Vieques.

Kimber - Thanks man! Just sent you a PM.
Saw a message from the TTOL system that the mail-server was down.
If you don't get the PM, please let me know.