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How To Rig Ballyhoo For Offshore Trolling

TrollTrue lures and rigging provide a simple, fast, and consistent way to rig ballyhoo (and other baitfish).  The bait prep is minimal and you won't need rigging wire, bait springs, or chin weights.  This method is an effective alternative to pin-rigging or expensive pre-rigged ballyhoo.  In a few simple steps, your ballyhoo will troll just like you always thought they should.

Prep the ballyhoo

Start with quality ballyhoo.  Offshore fishing is too expensive to gamble on cheap baits.  Look for clear eyes, minimal blood, and not refrozen.

Ensure the ballyhoo is thoroughly thawed.  Partially thawed ballyhoo will have a bow in them and will not troll well.

Clip or break the bill off the ballyhoo.  Leave about 1/2" on the ballyhoo.

Empty the digestive tract by running your thumb down the ballyhoo starting just behind the gill plate and pushing the contents out the anal opening.

Limber the ballyhoo

Work the ballyhoo back and forth in a snake like pattern.

Don't mash the flesh of the ballyhoo or try to break the backbone.  These have a tendency to reduce the longevity of the ballyhoo and don't help.

Don't worry about clipping fins, brining, or removing eyes.  These things are not harmful, but don't contribute to the performance of the bait.

Attach the rigging

Insert the nose hook in under the chin of the ballyoo and bring it out the middle of the head just forward of the eyes. 

Let the trailer hook dangle freely.  You don't have to embed the trailer hook into the ballyhoo.

Seat the TrollTrue lure in place

Slide the TrollTrue lure down the leader and onto the ballyhoo's head.

Ensure the barb of the nose hook slides up into the slot on the lure.

Allow the ballyhoo 1/2" of bill to protrude out the opening in the front of the lure.

That's it.  Your ballyhoo is ready to troll!

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