Confused re. spreader bars

[josko]

I'm confused by the profusion of trolling spreader bars. Used to be we had a 4' long, stainless bar with eyes welded on it, and it was used to pull ~ 1 doz squid for giant bluefin. It worked, it was good, so now we have a profusion of variants.

What is the difference between low-speed and high-speed bars? I know you troll low-speed bars at 3-4 kts, but how do you tell the difference in a store?

Is anyone using the new composite bars, and what, if any, is their advantage?

Is the bar supposed to be in the water, or lifted up in the air ahead of the lures?

All giant bars I know have at least one squid rigged ahgead of the bar. This (obviously) places the bar in the water, where it adds some commotion. Recent catalog pictures show all lures rigged behind the bar, and the assumption is that the bar is out of the water. Anyone care to comment which works better? Are different bar setups targeting different fish? (I know high-speed bars are for YFT and such, the questioin is on rigging method.);

Thanks much

[seafevr]

My experience w/ spreaders to date is on giants to the East, as you've described. Intend to experiment with smaller rigs for yellowfin and school bluefin this season.

I think the optimal presentation would be to have the bar out of the water. Since it is not entirely possible, try to keep the bar from digging in too much. A bigger bend in bar often helps minimize digging. Running flatlines off the rod tip (not pegged in a clip) and up-close improves presentation.

I'm putting together a couple bars with smaller baits (ie. 10-15 Zukers grass skirts or mini-Green Machines) to try this year out in Fingers/Dump area.

I've got the same question on composite bar, but have not yet found anywhere. I suppose it would be lighter and perhaps further minimize digging-in and improve presentation at higher speeds.

"High speed" and "low speed" bars could simply be different guage stainless, but just a guess.

The bait in front of the bar helps put something more natural looking in the midst of the unnatural commotion caused by the bar.

As I'm sure you know, the bars don't troll as well upwind but look the best in the trough or downwind.

Enjoyed your offshore posts in the past. I run a center console way out there as well and we sure earn each fish! Best of luck this year and I'll keep an eye out for that Reg.

[jeff g.]

Josko,
I am by no means an expert on this subject, but the last few seasons I have been doing more offshore fishing with a good buddy who runs a tuna boat out of Manchester. He custom does all his squid rigs (and does a hell of a job on them). I asked him the same question about whether the bar should be in the water, and it seems to depend on the amount of water disruption you want to have depending on sea conditions. When the water's pretty rough and you want to make a lot of commotion, let the bar dig in, but if it's calmer and the fish are more skittish, just keeping the bar dangling off the water (assuming using an outrigger here)makes for a much more delicate presentation. I've seen both work, so i'm not sure if one is better than the other.

Hope this helps...

jeff g.