2 most used rods on a 16 day trip

[Bill W]

this is a great question that many have answered above..
you will see many similar responses with
thousands of days combined on long trips..
take that as a good indication of what to go with on a LR 16 day.

if I had 2 choices:

1- your "go to" will be a 20 size reel (mak or Visx) I would put that on a UC viper (imo the best and most versailtile rod around. ) this will be your 100 lb rod.

2- a 20 or 30 size reel for a 130 lb setup. I like the UC invictus for this or a xxxh..

the 50 size reels I will only use on the kite. use the boats gear.

next two rods for me :
1-will be a Wahoo rod setup that can cast well. 50-60lb type
2- an 80 lb setup on a 16 size reel . mak or visx.. you can still use a viper(or similar) for this setup as well (very dynamic rod)

then the rod setups get out of hand for me after that.. lol

Spot on except the kite should have 1000 yards on the spool. (50W , 70, 80) I like my Mak 16 and 80# during day and sub cows.

 

[hucklongfin]

Yeah, the Mak 16/Centaur 76 with 80# for my daytime sinker rig.

 

[Steve K]

…I like my Mak 16 and 80# during day and sub cows.

Yeah, the Mak 16/Centaur 76 with 80# for my daytime sinker rig.

I had an Accurate BX2600N fully loaded with 500 yards of 60# Cortland C-16 with an 80# topshot on it. Had used it on my previous trip at the Bank as we were catching plenty of sub 100# fish. I was going to break it out during the lulls on the recent trip on the Rooster and then, early on in the trip, two of our anglers hooked monsters, both on 100# on quality gear. After hour long+ battles both fish were lost to chew off or broken line. Decided to rack up that 80# outfit and fish the heavier gear. Not that this one couldn’t have been landed with 100# or even 80#, but glad I was when it was gaffed and laying on the deck. Totally in charge with the 50T and a 770XXXH, 130# Seaguar.

 

[JTE]

pretty fish, great picture, good setup choice!

 

[harddrive]

I would say a good reel for wahoo. Something like a Penn 40LD 2-speed would work paired with a nice stiff rod like a Graptech rod. Doesn't need to break the bank.

Another would be an Okuma Makaira 30 or 50 for flylining. I would pair it with a Graphtec rod also.

Graphtec rods go for about $200 and the value can't be beat.

 

[JTE]

fly lining small baits (only bait in the tank on my 11 day to the bank) on a 50 loaded withe 130?

 

[JTE]

for wahoo, i’d want a high speed retrieve reel loaded with 50 that i could cast a bomb out of sight without backlashing - can you say ”big spinner”? no need to rail rod an ono.

 

[JTE]

i’ve got an 8’ conventional guide star rod with a Daiwa BG 8000, 400 yds of 50, that will throw a 4oz bomb as far or farther than any of you conventional guys throw, retrieves 56 ipt, and will put down 20lbs of drag all day long. pump and wind fish in fast as any conventional (ono doesn’t know what kind of reel is pulling him to the boat). swap a fathom 40 or 30 onto it, fishes rock fish or paddies just fine.

 

[JohnTFT]

I realized last trip that I fish very differently than just about everyone on the boat.

I am fishing for a new personal best. Something over 273.
As a result, I dont fish anything less than 100. I dont bring any 80lb setups.
I also dont fish for wahoo or bottom fish.

I think the perfect two rods for most people would be a 76 Viper and a 76 Invictus.

I fished the Viper for years with a 30 on it and the Invictus with a 50. Those setups should be your 2 most used rods on a 16 day.

If your fishing 80lb IMO, the trip went sideways and your trying to scratch a catch together.

 

[Steve K]

I realized last trip that I fish very differently than just about everyone on the boat.

I am fishing for a new personal best. Something over 273.
As a result, I dont fish anything less than 100. I dont bring any 80lb setups.
I also dont fish for wahoo or bottom fish.

I think the perfect two rods for most people would be a 76 Viper and a 76 Invictus.

I fished the Viper for years with a 30 on it and the Invictus with a 50. Those setups should be your 2 most used rods on a 16 day.

If your fishing 80lb IMO, the trip went sideways and your trying to scratch a catch together.

John, I’m pretty sure I remember you telling us about spooling up one or two of those larger Squall two speeds and then that they got some work on one of your trips. Can you remind us about that experience.

 

[JohnTFT]

John, I’m pretty sure I remember you telling us about spooling up one or two of those larger Squall two speeds and then that they got some work on one of your trips. Can you remind us about that experience.

Yes when the Squalls were new on the market Penn gave me a bunch to take LR fishing. We put 1000yds of 130 hollow on them. We mounted them to Shakespeare roller guide tuna rods.

Had a blast with them - mid grade YFT. Troll rotation for wahoo.

They went on 3 LR trips and are still being fished as loaner reels out of the shop.

I have never serviced them!

Not my first choice but, if its what the budget allows - fish it!

 

[Steve K]

“I would pair it with a Graphtec rod also.

Graphtec rods go for about $200 and the value can't be beat.”

Yes, affordable quality. Here’s a link for pricing.

Graftech Rail Rods - Melton Tackle

The Graftech Railrods are designed for tackling large Yellowfin and Bluefin tunas, so they are built extra tough. These rods are designed by Rick Ozaki are built with quality and great components.

www.meltontackle.com

 

[hot tuna]

Drag pressure doesnt kill fish. Rod technique does. YFT we encounter at the lower banks, hurricane and bluefin we see up north, can pull most drag we set.

You need to keep the rod loaded after the bite. I have become less concerned with the line rating on the blank for bigger fish.

100lb line at 25lbs of drag is going to load up most railrods easily. Keeping it loaded is the key.

Jamie points out in his post about body type and physical abilites. Very accurate statements.

On my trip ending last week - too many people wanting to use the rail with the wrong rod based on their skill, physical dimensions (height being the big one). Not understanding the mechanics of rail rodding had them in discomfort until they gladly gave the rod to the deckhand to finish the fish off.

I have a great friend Rick Iwatsubo. He is 72 years old Is 5'3". In great physical shape.
He lands more big fish than most people hook. Doesnt break a sweat. Doesnt get excited. A methodical beatdown.

He fishes a Seeker 2x4 (Long Beach) and a UC Viper. He has developed a railroding and harness technique that is exceptional.

When he gets bit, calmly asks or walks to his tackle box and gets his plate. If the fish is on top, he's clipped in with the foregrip on the rail bending the entire 7'6" length of the rods to maximum deflection.

When the fish is moving around the boat - out of the harness walking normally.

When the fish in the circles - rod is on the rail and he is applying max pressure for the end game.

It is the best technique I have seen for the following -

Tall fisherpeople
Older individuals
People out of shape
Novices with limited understanding of well - anything

It is something that as I get older I will be sure to adapt.

Yes!
That’s how Cathy has been fighting big tuna for years. Harness still has its use! Seeker 4x white Tiger blank.

 

[dtf]

Doing dam, good. Not many lefties around.

 

[hucklongfin]

Drag pressure doesnt kill fish. Rod technique does. YFT we encounter at the lower banks, hurricane and bluefin we see up north, can pull most drag we set.

You need to keep the rod loaded after the bite. I have become less concerned with the line rating on the blank for bigger fish.

100lb line at 25lbs of drag is going to load up most railrods easily. Keeping it loaded is the key.

Jamie points out in his post about body type and physical abilites. Very accurate statements.

On my trip ending last week - too many people wanting to use the rail with the wrong rod based on their skill, physical dimensions (height being the big one). Not understanding the mechanics of rail rodding had them in discomfort until they gladly gave the rod to the deckhand to finish the fish off.

I have a great friend Rick Iwatsubo. He is 72 years old Is 5'3". In great physical shape.
He lands more big fish than most people hook. Doesnt break a sweat. Doesnt get excited. A methodical beatdown.

He fishes a Seeker 2x4 (Long Beach) and a UC Viper. He has developed a railroding and harness technique that is exceptional.

When he gets bit, calmly asks or walks to his tackle box and gets his plate. If the fish is on top, he's clipped in with the foregrip on the rail bending the entire 7'6" length of the rods to maximum deflection.

When the fish is moving around the boat - out of the harness walking normally.

When the fish in the circles - rod is on the rail and he is applying max pressure for the end game.

It is the best technique I have seen for the following -

Tall fisherpeople
Older individuals
People out of shape
Novices with limited understanding of well - anything

It is something that as I get older I will be sure to adapt.

Rick = Uncle Chunker?

 

[JohnTFT]

Rick = Uncle Chunker?

Yes sir.

Did it again this last trip with a 253.

 

[Russ Scholl]

Yes sir.

Did it again this last trip with a 253.

Clearly after watching you and Rick effective chunking is a very important tool for catching big yellowfin.