The shotgun is the longest line in a trolling spread, running straight down the middle far behind the boat. It is the position for cautious fish, the ones that follow the commotion of the spread but hang back before committing. On many days the shotgun accounts for a surprising share of bites, especially on tuna and marlin that are wary in calm, clear water.
Where the shotgun runs from
On sportfishers, the shotgun is usually clipped high on the center rigger at the top of the tower or hardtop, which lifts the line angle and keeps it out of the other lines. On center consoles, it is often run from a T-top rod holder or a center holder with no clip. The goal is to keep it above and between the rigger lines so it does not cross them in turns.
How far back
The shotgun typically sits well behind all other lures, often 150 feet or more, in clean water far beyond the prop wash. The exact distance depends on your wake. Place the lure on the face of a distant wake wave or simply in clean, smooth water where it can track steadily.
Best shotgun lures
- Straight-running bullets are the classic choice because they track true without needing white water. Our Blackfin Bullet and striker-style lures fit this role.
- Smaller resin heads with a tight, regular action work well when fish are on small bait.
- Natural colors often outperform loud colors in the shotgun because fish get a long, clear look at it.
When the shotgun gets bit
Repeated shotgun bites while the short lures stay quiet is a signal. Your main spread may be too loud, too big, or too close to the boat for the conditions. Try stepping down lure size on the corners, moving lures back a wave, or adding a second clean-running lure.
When to skip it
In rough seas or with a small crew, the shotgun can cause more trouble than it is worth. It tangles easily in sharp turns and takes the longest to clear. Running a clean four-line spread is better than running five lines poorly.
Clearing the shotgun
When a fish hooks up on another line, clear the shotgun early since it takes the longest to wind in. If the shotgun itself gets bit, keep the boat moving forward and clear the rigger lines on the side the fish runs to.
For the rest of the layout, see how far back to run each lure and our guide to building a trolling spread.
