Thank you for the generous amount of time you spent replying to my query. I learned a lot.Good Afternoon Dr.
An excellent question... Matching a rod to an angler is like choosing a driver for Golf, Sports shoes on athletes and so many other events where there are a lot of options.. At the end of the day we want to "Fit" the rod to the way the angler fights fish, hook sizes being employed for various styles of ultra long range fishing, which often times limits how hard the angler can pull without pulling hooks and of course a discussion of what gear is appropriate for the various methods of presenting a live or chunk bait of various sizes or artificial lure that you will find being employed on your 16 day adventure.
I would also ask if you were the rare angler who wants and employs a proper big fish harness. Yes, some great anglers still fish out of a proper big fish harness and can kick some tuna butt, however, it is a question that should be asked. Additionally, knowing which versions of the 2 Seekers currently in your quiver will help to decide what items you may want to add.. Finally, there is the option of using boat gear to fill in your needs if money is an issue.. And it often is an issue. The good news is there are going to be rods available that will fit your budget and hopefully your requirements.. Additionally, 16 day trips, believe it or not, do not require a million setups as most of what you are targeting is giant Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo.. Skinnies do not need any sort of specific or dedicated Wahoo rig.. To the contrary, You may even own some rods that may just work out fine for those Speedy bastardos.
What you do not want to do is mis match the gear especially by going with a stick that is too light and does not have enough recoil yet is not so stiff as to be used to support wire for telephone lines. Opinions on line are a great starting point but as you can see there a lot of differing opinions with zero consensus..Once you develop your fish fighting skills you will be surprised how much easier it is to put heavy drag on big fish in most situations. As a note, once you discover for yourself how to most efficiently fight big fish you may find the Manufacturer's noted line ratings are actually incorrect for Rail and flat rodding..
I believe you are in Maryland so I am not sure if there are any long range knowledgeable shops in your area.. Especially shops who can teach and show you some better fish fighting techniques which will change your opinion of what rod is most appropriate for you.. John from TFT (Trophy Tackle) in Jersey may be close enough for you to visit and spend some time with him. Additionally, you are welcome to send me your phone number by PM and we can discuss your options by phone.. I spend dozens of hours every week teaching technique by phone for those out of the area, at the shop or fishing shows for those who are reasonably close. Though I do have a fair amount of folks who fly in to see what the heck I am talking about.. And they go home very, very happy.
For some reason, we are the only sport that does not key in on Body mechanics when fighting fish.. Some folks seem to make it look so easy while others are getting their butts kicked.. At the end of the day, having a big fish in a picture with an undersized rod and or reel does not, in any way, make that rod the right one nor does it usually tell the entire story of the fight.. I cannot think of any other sport where body mechanics taught in conjunction with the angler's own possible infirmities, growth patterns or disabilities are not a huge game changer for the individual when it is taught by a very knowledgeable coach...What may seem like a very stiff rod before you learn technique tends to become too soft once the angler learns more efficient ways to fight fish.
Contrary to the old school thoughts, a softer action rod will not be easier on the body.. With the advent of Rail Rodding and or using my style of fish fighting I call flat rodding in conjunction with the rail, a softer rod is a disadvantage for the task at hand... We are talking targeting giant Yellowfin on a 16 day trip which is very different from fighting giant bluefin tuna on the West Coast or any coast.
Another factor that may go into your decision is the manufacturer.. There are many manufacturers that make ultra long range rods but some times the angler prefers to stay with their manufacturer they have used for years.. Nothing wrong with that approach though it often may limit the amount of experience you get or finding out for yourself what all the hubbub is about with newer manufacturers.. Again, a 16 day West Coast Long range trip is a whole different animal than what most any other state, continent, etc. trips are like..
It would be my pleasure to discuss anything you would like regarding ultra long or any similar styles of fishing.. I will explain how each of the main manufacturers of Rod have approached their design and build of Cow appropriate rods..
Yes, at the end of the day a great angler is going to catch fish with a carved bone hook and some vines made into some sort of string but I do not recommend it.. At the end of the day we are one of the few shops on any coast that have expertise and key in our services to both Ultra Long and Shorter range fishing along with most fresh water applications.. AND we carry most all of the manufacturers rods specifically addressing the issues you are asking about.. Additionally, we maintain one of the largest inventories of rods for the task at hand. The only one we do not carry is Seeker but I fished the heck out of them when Randy was still part of the company and am intimately familiar with them.
Regardless of your choice of contacting me have a great trip and great season.. If you choose to send me your phone number I look forward to chatting.. AS ALWAYS, REGARDLESS HOW MUCH TIME WE SPEND DISCUSSING FISHING, THERE IS ZERO OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM US.. I JUST LOVE TEACHING, DISCUSSING AND PROMOTING THIS AMAZING SPORT OF OURS.. Just be aware most of these calls last well over an hour.. Customer's choice but it seems there are so many questions to be answered that once we start more and more info is requested by the angler... None the less, I am clearly not a Tweet sort of guy.. More of a Novelist..
Respectfully,
Jamie
Thank you for the great reply. I am now living in the San Diego area and your shop is local would enjoy stopping by to talk more. Much appreciated.Good Afternoon Dr.
An excellent question... Matching a rod to an angler is like choosing a driver for Golf, Sports shoes on athletes and so many other events where there are a lot of options.. At the end of the day we want to "Fit" the rod to the way the angler fights fish, hook sizes being employed for various styles of ultra long range fishing, which often times limits how hard the angler can pull without pulling hooks and of course a discussion of what gear is appropriate for the various methods of presenting a live or chunk bait of various sizes or artificial lure that you will find being employed on your 16 day adventure.
I would also ask if you were the rare angler who wants and employs a proper big fish harness. Yes, some great anglers still fish out of a proper big fish harness and can kick some tuna butt, however, it is a question that should be asked. Additionally, knowing which versions of the 2 Seekers currently in your quiver will help to decide what items you may want to add.. Finally, there is the option of using boat gear to fill in your needs if money is an issue.. And it often is an issue. The good news is there are going to be rods available that will fit your budget and hopefully your requirements.. Additionally, 16 day trips, believe it or not, do not require a million setups as most of what you are targeting is giant Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo.. Skinnies do not need any sort of specific or dedicated Wahoo rig.. To the contrary, You may even own some rods that may just work out fine for those Speedy bastardos.
What you do not want to do is mis match the gear especially by going with a stick that is too light and does not have enough recoil yet is not so stiff as to be used to support wire for telephone lines. Opinions on line are a great starting point but as you can see there a lot of differing opinions with zero consensus..Once you develop your fish fighting skills you will be surprised how much easier it is to put heavy drag on big fish in most situations. As a note, once you discover for yourself how to most efficiently fight big fish you may find the Manufacturer's noted line ratings are actually incorrect for Rail and flat rodding..
I believe you are in Maryland so I am not sure if there are any long range knowledgeable shops in your area.. Especially shops who can teach and show you some better fish fighting techniques which will change your opinion of what rod is most appropriate for you.. John from TFT (Trophy Tackle) in Jersey may be close enough for you to visit and spend some time with him. Additionally, you are welcome to send me your phone number by PM and we can discuss your options by phone.. I spend dozens of hours every week teaching technique by phone for those out of the area, at the shop or fishing shows for those who are reasonably close. Though I do have a fair amount of folks who fly in to see what the heck I am talking about.. And they go home very, very happy.
For some reason, we are the only sport that does not key in on Body mechanics when fighting fish.. Some folks seem to make it look so easy while others are getting their butts kicked.. At the end of the day, having a big fish in a picture with an undersized rod and or reel does not, in any way, make that rod the right one nor does it usually tell the entire story of the fight.. I cannot think of any other sport where body mechanics taught in conjunction with the angler's own possible infirmities, growth patterns or disabilities are not a huge game changer for the individual when it is taught by a very knowledgeable coach...What may seem like a very stiff rod before you learn technique tends to become too soft once the angler learns more efficient ways to fight fish.
Contrary to the old school thoughts, a softer action rod will not be easier on the body.. With the advent of Rail Rodding and or using my style of fish fighting I call flat rodding in conjunction with the rail, a softer rod is a disadvantage for the task at hand... We are talking targeting giant Yellowfin on a 16 day trip which is very different from fighting giant bluefin tuna on the West Coast or any coast.
Another factor that may go into your decision is the manufacturer.. There are many manufacturers that make ultra long range rods but some times the angler prefers to stay with their manufacturer they have used for years.. Nothing wrong with that approach though it often may limit the amount of experience you get or finding out for yourself what all the hubbub is about with newer manufacturers.. Again, a 16 day West Coast Long range trip is a whole different animal than what most any other state, continent, etc. trips are like..
It would be my pleasure to discuss anything you would like regarding ultra long or any similar styles of fishing.. I will explain how each of the main manufacturers of Rod have approached their design and build of Cow appropriate rods..
Yes, at the end of the day a great angler is going to catch fish with a carved bone hook and some vines made into some sort of string but I do not recommend it.. At the end of the day we are one of the few shops on any coast that have expertise and key in our services to both Ultra Long and Shorter range fishing along with most fresh water applications.. AND we carry most all of the manufacturers rods specifically addressing the issues you are asking about.. Additionally, we maintain one of the largest inventories of rods for the task at hand. The only one we do not carry is Seeker but I fished the heck out of them when Randy was still part of the company and am intimately familiar with them.
Regardless of your choice of contacting me have a great trip and great season.. If you choose to send me your phone number I look forward to chatting.. AS ALWAYS, REGARDLESS HOW MUCH TIME WE SPEND DISCUSSING FISHING, THERE IS ZERO OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM US.. I JUST LOVE TEACHING, DISCUSSING AND PROMOTING THIS AMAZING SPORT OF OURS.. Just be aware most of these calls last well over an hour.. Customer's choice but it seems there are so many questions to be answered that once we start more and more info is requested by the angler... None the less, I am clearly not a Tweet sort of guy.. More of a Novelist..
Respectfully,
Jamie
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