I am the same as Boone. .5 to 1 pulling boards with live bait. 2.0 to 3.0 when searching using down rigger. Come asross a school or wad of bait with fish under them idle clear down or take it out of gear, let the bait swing down. They tend to hit once your in gear again. Most important is when catching if they are short get them back in ASAP, get your limit and go to the house for a cool beverage.