By Max Dispoto
No matter where you fish in the world, deep-diving plugs are a critical part of any effective pelagic trolling spread. Their ability to be trolled at high speeds while maintaining depth allows anglers to cover water efficiently and present bait below the prop wash, right where pelagic predators hunt.
When I’m trolling the Northeast Canyons, there’s one deep diver I rely on above all others: the Shimano Ledge Runner. After extensive field testing, it has proven itself to be the most consistent, durable, and versatile deep-diving plug I have fished.
Consistency
Pelagic trolling demands performance at speed. In the Northeast Canyons, I typically troll at 6–7 MPH for yellowfin and bigeye tuna, but when specifically targeting wahoo, speeds often climb to as much as 15 MPH. At those speeds, a lure must track perfectly straight or it becomes ineffective. The Shimano Ledge Runner is engineered with Shimano’s Hydro Control Wing, a stabilization feature that minimizes turbulence and keeps the lure swimming true across a wide speed range. Every Ledge Runner I’ve fished has run perfectly straight right out of the package with no tuning required. Even during sharp turns at high speeds, the lure maintains its track without washing out or losing its action. That level of consistency gives me the most confidence, especially when covering miles of water offshore.
Strength
Ledge Runner is designed to withstand the abuse that comes with targeting big pelagic fish. The lure features a 3mm-thick body and an internal solid steel plate, allowing it to absorb crushing strikes and survive extended battles with large tuna and wahoo. Traditional deep-diving plugs often lose their effectiveness after a fish or two due to body damage or bent tow points. With the Ledge Runner, durability is no longer a concern. These lures continue running true trip after trip, fish after fish.
Versatility
One of the biggest advantages of the Shimano Ledge Runner is its versatility. Available in 160mm and 200mm sizes, it allows you to match the profile of the baitfish present or dial in your spread for specific target species. The adjustable depth range offers three depth settings, giving anglers the ability to fine-tune their trolling spread. This opens up new possibilities when building a trolling spread:
● Run a full four-rod spread of Ledge Runners at different depths without risk of tangles or blowouts
● Fish identical lures at the same distance but at different depth settings
● Adjust depth and lure action based on trolling speed and target species
At slower speeds (6–7 MPH), deeper settings excel for tuna like bigeye. When speeds increase to 15 MPH for wahoo, the shallower setting continues to deliver stable action and clean tracking.
How I Fish the Ledge Runner in the Northeast Canyons
In my standard canyon spread, I run two Shimano Ledge Runners in staggered positions.
The first runs 50–75 feet behind the boat on the deepest setting, ensuring it tracks well below the prop wash. The second is positioned 100–125 feet back, typically on the middle depth setting, providing tight tracking and consistent action farther out in the spread. As conditions change, I adjust based on which lure is producing more bites, which is another advantage of the Ledge Runner’s unique design.
When specifically targeting wahoo, I’ll often scale up the spread and run four Ledge Runners at once, all in staggered positions and depth settings. This allows me to cover multiple depth zones at higher trolling speeds while keeping every lure tracking clean and true—maximizing exposure without increasing the risk of tangles.
Thanks to its stability and adjustable depth range, the Ledge Runner allows for techniques that weren’t reliable with traditional deep-diving plugs. One of my favorite setups is running a third Ledge Runner 200–300 feet back in my spread, on the shallowest setting—similar to how you’d fish a ballyhoo. On days when fish are keyed in on baits farther from the boat, this approach consistently produces extra bites and complements my traditional long baits perfectly. Even at that distance, the lure maintains excellent action with reduced drag, adding a deadly option to the back of the spread.
Color Selection
Color choice matters, and Shimano’s Ledge Runner lineup covers every situation. The Mai Tai pattern is a staple in my spread, especially in the 200mm size. Bigeye tuna in particular respond aggressively to their bright, high-visibility profile. To complement that, I’ll often run a more natural pattern like New Moon or Flyer Flash, perfectly mimicking common forage such as skipjack or flying fish.
System
To get the most out of the Ledge Runner, I pair it with a fully Shimano-based trolling system:
● Reel: Shimano Talica 40II A
● Rod: Shimano Terez BW Full Roller 48H with Winthrop Terminator Butt
● Line: PowerPro Max Metered Braid, 100lb
The reduced drag of PowerPro braid compared to monofilament lines allows the Ledge Runner to reach greater depths, while the metered line ensures precise lure placement every time. The adjustable Winthrop Terminator Butt allows for correct rod angles regardless of rod holder position which is critical for maintaining proper lure action and better hookup ratios.
Confidence
From the first drop to the final hookup, the Shimano Ledge Runner delivers the consistency, durability, and versatility demanded by serious offshore anglers. Backed by Shimano’s commitment to innovation and performance, it’s a deep-diving plug designed to earn a permanent place in any pelagic trolling spread.