When setting up a high-speed trolling spread for wahoo and other offshore gamefish, choosing the right trolling lead weight is an important part of getting your lures to run properly. A simple rule we use is: the closer the lure is to the boat, the heavier the trolling lead; the farther back the lure runs, the lighter the lead.
This creates a spread where your short lines run deeper and your longer lines progressively run higher in the water column. It also helps stagger your lures at different distances and depths while high-speed trolling.
High-Speed Trolling Lead Weight and Distance
A good starting point for a high-speed trolling spread is:
Short line: 40-60ft behind boat - 48 or 64oz
Mid line: 60-80ft behind boat - 32 or 48oz
Shotgun: 100ft+ behind boat - 24 or 32oz
These numbers aren't absolute. Sea conditions, trolling speed, lure size, current, line diameter, and your specific tackle setup can all affect how a lure runs. However, this gives you a proven starting point for organizing a high-speed spread.
Short Line: 64 oz Trolling Lead
For a lure running within approximately 40-60 feet of the boat, start with a 40 oz or 64 oz trolling lead.
The heavy lead helps keep the short lure down despite the speed of the boat and the turbulence immediately behind it. This gives you a deeper presentation close to the boat, where a lighter lead may have a tendency to ride higher.
Mid Lines: 32–48 oz Trolling Leads
As you move your next lure back to approximately 60–80 feet, reduce your lead weight.
A 32 oz trolling lead is a great starting point when you still want the lure running relatively deep. You can also step up to a 48 oz trolling lead depending on the lure, conditions and the depth you're trying to achieve.
This creates a natural progression from your heavy short line to the lighter long lines in your spread.
Shotgun Line: 24 oz Trolling Lead
For your shotgun lure running 150 feet or farther behind the boat, a 24 oz trolling lead is a good starting point. If you are running on the higher speed range try going up to 32oz leads.
Because the lure is significantly farther from the boat, you don't necessarily need the same heavy lead used on your short or mid positions. The lighter weight allows the shotgun lure to run higher and farther back, creating another presentation for a wahoo to target.
Think Heavy to Light as You Move Back
The easiest way to remember your high-speed trolling lead setup is:
64/48 oz → 48/32 oz → 32/24 oz
Start heavy near the boat and progressively decrease your trolling lead weight as your lures get farther back.
Instead of pulling every lure at approximately the same depth, this approach helps create a staggered high-speed trolling spread at different distances and depths. That gives fish multiple presentations and allows you to cover more of the water column while searching for a bite.
Fine-Tune Your High-Speed Wahoo Trolling Spread
There isn't one trolling lead configuration that's perfect for every boat or every day. Use these weights as your starting point and pay attention to where the bites come from.
If one particular position, distance, or lead weight consistently gets hit, adjust the rest of your high-speed trolling spread accordingly. Offshore trolling is about establishing a starting system and then letting the fish tell you what they want.
When you're targeting wahoo with high-speed trolling lures, start with the heaviest trolling lead close to the boat, progressively reduce the weight as you move farther back, and adjust your spread as conditions and bites dictate.