FAQs

1. What is handline fishing?
2. Why not just use a rod & reel?
3. Can you use handlines in IGFA tournaments?
4. It doesn't seem very sporting – why fish with handlines?
5. Why are your handlines so strong?
6. Why do you offer different ropes to choose from?
7. Do I need a shock absorber?
8. Why should I buy the more expensive triple braid?
9. Are handlines for trolling or bottom fishing?
10. What fish can you catch on handlines?
11. These handlines are so effective – why would I still use a rod & reel?
12. How many handlines can you fish with at the same time?
13. What are the different handlines that you offer?
14. Is handline fishing safe for children?
15. How long are your handlines?
16. How do you set up and use the handlines?
17. What maintenance is required?
18. When winding on a handle, do you start with the rope or the mono?

 

1. What is handline fishing?  Just what it sounds like – our WaayCool handlines are constructed for deep sea fishing and consists of three main components: rope, monofilament and a heavy duty swivel.  The handlines are typically attached to a cleat on the boat (with a shock absorber) and a lure attached to the swivel and trolled behind the boat.  Once a fish is hooked, you simply pull the fish into the boat by hand.  Handlines can be used from powerboats or sailboats.  WaayCool also offers handlines for bottom fishing – contact us for more information and pricing.
   
   
2. Why not just use rods & reels?  You can and you should use rods and reels!  Handlines will never replace them – but they are complimentary.  We almost always troll with a spread of both conventional rods & reels and handlines.  Generally we use the rods for larger fish (> 50 lbs).  There are times when we recommend you switch entirely to handlines: when the fish are biting very strong and a maximum catch is the goal, or when sharks are present.  Handlining in a fish is much faster than using a rod and reel.  We recommend every serious offshore fisherman carry at least two handlines on board.  As luck would have it, Waaycool has handlines to meet your needs.
   
   
3. Can we use handlines in International Game Fish Association (IGFA) sanctioned fishing tournaments? No, not unless the tournament rules specifically allow for it.  There are international tournaments that allow handline fishing; one example is the All-Mic tournament in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.
   
   
4. It doesn't seem very sporting – why fish with handlines?  Handlines are used for one purpose – getting fish on the boat.  Period.  It is a different way to fish.  Lest you think it is not fun, try holding on to the handline while trolling through a large bird pile and feel the strike.  Handlining in a large fish is exciting, and handlining in a very large fish will make you wonder why you asked this question.
   
   
5. Why are your handlines so strong?  These WaayCool handlines are designed for the rigors of blue water trolling.  The handline construction is quite strong for several reasons: large fish, loss of strength due to use and aging, and fast trolling speeds.  Large fish at times will strike, sometimes at high speeds, and will stress the handlines.  As with all rope and monofilament, wear and tear will degrade the working load tensile strength.  Our handlines may appear a bit ‘overkill’ now, but after two or three years of use, when that large fish strikes, you'll be glad for that extra margin.
   
   
6. Why do you offer different ropes to choose from?  WaayCool offers different ropes for two reasons – price and performance. Our most economical rope is made of polyolefin and is inexpensive yet quite strong (35% stronger than polypropylene) and has good UV resistance. Our most popular rope by far is made of nylon, provides better UV resistance, and is easier to grip and work with.
   
   
7. Do I need a shock absorber? For deep sea trolling, yes!  We often have large tuna and wahoo strike, sometimes marlin also, and a shock absorber is a must when using handlines.  An inexpensive and very effective shock absorber is a simple 26” bicycle tube with a snap hook.  Surgical tubing is also very effective.
   
   
8. Why should I buy the more expensive triple braid?  Some fishermen simply prefer the triple braid – it offers a better grip and is stronger.  WaayCool uses a very high quality, small diameter monofilament to form the braid.  The cost is higher because of the three lengths of monofilament and the extra labor to braid it.
   
   
9. Are handlines for trolling or for bottom fishing? WaayCool handlines can be used for both although the length requirements can be quite different.  For example, trolling configurations are typically in the 35-40m (115 – 130 ft) overall length while bottom fishing handlines may need to be very different in length depending on the depths and currents/winds in your area.   In the Marshall Islands, local natives bottom fish with handlines ~ 400 feet in length to reach the deeper areas in the lagoon and to account for the boat’s drift due to the tradewinds.
   
   
10. What fish can you catch on handlines?  Good question.  WaayCool’s trolling handlines can be used to catch any fish that will strike a lure being trolled.  In the central Pacific, handlines frequently catch aku (skipjack tuna), ono (wahoo), mahi mahi (dorado), yellow fin and bigeye tuna, dogtooth tuna, kawa kawa, and rainbow runner.  If you troll in shallow water any number of reef fish can be caught, including barracuda, trevally and grouper.  If you are bottom fishing, then your catch will be dependent on the terminal tackle and bait you attach to our handline and, of course, the bottom fish in the area.
    
    
11. These handlines are so effective – why would I still use a rod & reel?  Many native islanders in the Marshall Islands use handlines exclusively – they are lower cost and offer a higher yield for many fish species when compared to rods and reels.  For the Marshallese the primary purpose is putting food on the table, not sport.  Having said this, rods and reels are necessary for catching large fish and for IGFA tournaments.
    
    
12. How many handlines can you fish with at the same time?  It depends on factors such as the size of the boat, if there are outriggers, and the number of crew on board.  We generally run two handlines and two poles, four poles if we have outriggers or a larger boat.  But if the handline fishing gets hot or the sharks plentiful, then we run all handlines.  It is important that the handlines be the same length when running multiple handlines close together – otherwise the lines tangle easily when turning sharply.
    
    
13. What are the different handlines that you offer?  Our Deep Sea Handline come with two choices of rope (polyolefin, nylon), two choices of monofilament (700# single strand, or a three-strand 900# braid), and two different 450# swivels (snap clip or screw).
    
    
14. Is handline fishing safe for children?  No, not for small children.  Children can easily forget to keep their hands and feet free from entanglement.  Caution must always be maintained when using handlines; a small fish can quite easily turn into a large one – especially when sharks are prevalent.
    
    
15. How long are your handlines?  We offer an assortment of lengths for different situations. For bluewater sailors, we recommend a 75 or 100 foot length handline. When trolling from a sportsfishing boat, the typical length would be between 100, 125, or 150 feet. For folks trolling off of maritime vessels, we offer lengths up to 250 feet. Of course we make handlines to customer specified lengths.
    
    
16. How do you set up and use the handlines? See the website Setup page for instructions on setting up your handlines.  Also see our Handline Fishing page for general handline fishing information.
    
    
17. What maintenance is required?  Use fresh water to rinse off the saltwater and fish blood after each day of use.  Periodically check for abrasions/cuts in the rope or monofilament.  Replace affected section if the integrity is significantly compromised.
    
    
18. When winding on a handle, do you start with the rope or the mono?  When stowing the handline at the end of the day, we recommend you start winding with the rope end, and wind loosely to avoid sharp bends of the mono.
    

 

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