Question on trolling live bait

[Dave k]

Hey guys,
New guy here (I’m on a few other boards) with a question. I figured I’d ask it here since I’ve seen a few reports of guys mentioning catching WSB and yellows by slow trolling macs. I’ve spent lots of time targeting yellows and pelagic fish from boats by slow trolling live baits and we would always keep the reel in free-spool (no clicker) and allow the fish to run and eat the bait before setting the hook. On a kayak this isn’t an option unless you have a hobie.

When slow trolling a live bait from a kayak, are you fishing in with your reel in gear, or free-spool with the clicker? Are you running just one hook near the nose or shoulder of the bait, or are you trap rigging?

I would think that the reel in gear with a trap hook would be the best bet and you just have to hope the fish hooks itself. With the reel in free-spool and the clicker on, I would think the fish would drop the bait when it feels the tension, but there wouldn’t be enough pressure on the line to set the hook either.

Thoughts?

Thanks
-Dave