Hogy Northeast Offshore Playbook (48 Page Printed)

Capt. Mike’s Complete Playbook – Casting, Jigging & Trolling Edition (Printed Version)

A comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to maximizing success on the water using The Hogy System—covering trip planning, environmental adjustments, gear selection, retrieves, trolling, casting, jigging techniques, outfit analysis, and post-catch processing.

What’s Inside?

1. Trip Planning – Setting Up for Success Before You Leave the Dock

✔ Pre-Trip Intel – Weather, tide cycles, sea surface temps, and reports.
✔ Bait & Bird Activity – Identifying key forage zones ahead of time.
✔ Fishing Route Strategy – Planned drifts, trolling passes, and casting zones.
✔ Gear Prep & Loadout – Ensuring an optimized setup before departure.
✔ Contingency Planning – Adjustments for wind shifts, pressure changes, and bite windows.

2. Full Gear Decomposition

✔ What’s in the Kit – Breakdown of essential gear for casting, jigging, and trolling.

3. Environmental Factors – Planning & Reacting to Conditions

✔ Sea State & Wind – Adjusting drift speed, casting angles, trolling spread, and lure selection.
✔ Current & Tide – Positioning for optimal bait movement and fish behavior.
✔ Bait Location & Density – Matching presentations to the food chain.
✔ Water Clarity & Temp Breaks – Targeting feeding zones and ambush points.
✔ Light Conditions – Choosing attractor vs. imitator colors.

4. Observational & Situational Factors – Dialing in While Fishing

✔ Fish Holding Deep – Adjusting lure depth and retrieve speed.
✔ Scattered Bait – Adapting presentations to dispersed forage.
✔ Missed Strikes / Short Hits – Tweaking retrieve cadence and jigging action.
… And More!

5. Jigging, Casting & Trolling Approaches – Styles & Methods

✔ Speed Jigging – Covering the water column with rapid motion.
✔ Slow-Pitch Jigging – Maximizing lure hang time and flutter.
✔ Topwater Casting – Reading fish behavior and executing precise presentations.
✔ Tactical Trolling Over Numbers – Repeated passes over deep marks.
✔ Recon Search Pattern Trolling – Zig-zagging, looping, and contour-following.
… And More!

6. Retrieve Instructions – How to Maximize Lure Action

✔ Casting Retrieves – Popping, walking, skipping, and swimming techniques for surface and subsurface lures.
✔ Jigging Retrieves – Twitchy, bottom-thumping, and slow-roll presentations to match bait movement.
✔ Trolling Adjustments – Fine-tuning boat speed, lure spread, and drop-back tactics.
… And More!

7. Jigging, Casting & Trolling Hacks – Tricks to Maximize Hookups

✔ Cadence Adjustments – Fine-tuning lure movement for reaction bites.
✔ Bait Matching – Dialing in lure selection based on real-time conditions.
✔ Strategic Boat Positioning – Maximizing efficiency with drift, casting angles, and trolling spread placement.
… And More!

8. Outfit Analysis – Choosing the Right Rod, Reel & Line

✔ Jigging Outfits – Spinning vs. conventional setups for deep jigging.
✔ Casting Rods & Reels – Matching gear to lure weight and casting range.
✔ Trolling Setups – Selecting the right drag, leader, and rod action for spread efficiency.
… And More!

9. Fish Fighting Instructions – How to Land Big Fish Efficiently

✔ Fighting Strategy – Maximizing rod leverage and angler endurance.
✔ Boat Positioning – Captain and crew coordination for a controlled fight.
✔ End-Game Execution – Proper gaffing, leadering, or tagging techniques.
… And More!

10. Tuna Cleaning Instructions – Proper Processing for Maximum Yield

✔ Bleeding & Icing – Ensuring premium-quality meat preservation.
✔ Filleting Techniques – Step-by-step breakdown for loins, belly, and collar cuts.
✔ Storage & Packing – Best practices for freshness and transport.
… And More!

Your Go-To Guide for Every Tuna Scenario!

✔ Covers Every Key Fishing Approach – Whether fish are crashing on top, holding deep, or suspended, this playbook ensures you have the right strategy for the situation.
✔ No Fluff, Just Results – Proven methods that work, refined through years of experience on the water.
✔ Tight, Efficient System – No wasted time, no unnecessary clutter—just the right tools for the job.