Guadalupe Island reels: 2021 update

[tunanorth]

On our most recent jaunt to Guadalupe last week, I asked Captain Mike Lackey of the Vagabond to adjust the current "bluefin" rig listing to reflect his recommendations for trips to Guadalupe and general offshore use this summer and fall.

​

1. 20-25 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Fathom star drag FTHII25NSD [use 30-pound braid]

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 10-25 or 12-30 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII1025C80

Applications- Finesse live bait for school size bluefin & yellowfin tuna

2. 30-POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ15XNLD2 or Fathom 2-speed FTH15XNLD2 [use 40-pound braid]

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 15-40 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII1540C80

Applications- All around live bait use for yellowtail, dorado, and finesse live bait tuna to 75 pounds

3. 40-POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ30NLD2 or Fathom 2-speed FTH30NLD2 [65 pound braid preferred]

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 25-50 or 30-60 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII3060C76

Applications- Live bait use for tuna up to 100 pounds; light & medium jigs for tuna & yellowtail

4. 50-80 POUND RIG

Reels- PENN 2-speed TRQ30NLD2 or 2-speed FTH30LD2 with 65-pound braid and 50-pound topshot
PENN 2-speed TRQ40NLD2 or 2-speed FTH40NLD2 with 80-pound braid and 60/80-pound topshots

Rod- Conventional 6.5 to 8-feet, rated for 30-80 or 40-100 pound lines. EX: PENN CARWCIII3080C80 or CARWCIII40100C78

Applications- Tuna up to to 150 pounds with live bait and fall-type jigs; yo-yo jigging for yellowtail

5. 80-100 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN International 2-speed 16VISX [fill with 100-pound braid]

Rod- Conventional “Rail Rod” 6.5 to 7.5 feet, rated for 60-130 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII80130C70

Applications- Live bait or fall-type jigs for tuna up to 300 pounds

 

[tunanorth]

Of particular note:
Rig #1- Captain Lackey prefers "full size" reels, even for lighter line.
Rig #2- When tuna over 50 pounds are on the menu, a 2-speed reel is the way to go starting with the 30-pound line class.
Rig #3- The extra line capacity of the 30 size [over the very popular 25N] can be important at Guadalupe.
Rig #4- This could morph into two separate rigs if finances allow. The FTH/TRQ 30LD2's give a nice casting/bait presentation advantage over the 40N size, and are easily tough enough to handle 50-pound topshots and 100-pound fish. Ditto the 40N size gives a nice casting/bait presentation advantage over Internationals, and is tough enough to handle even 80-pound topshots and higher drag settings.
Rig #5- Make sure to fill this rig with 100-pound braid [instead of 80], to allow the use of 100-pound, or even 130-pound topshots when chunking.

 

[fyermn]

Thank You Steve.

 

[tunanorth]

Should add, Captain Lackey recommends a 100-foot mono topshot on top of the braid backing.
Also a 4-foot piece of fluorocarbon on the end of the topshot, but not on the 80-pound rig; that one should just have the hook tied right to the 80-pound mono.

 

[tunanorth]

bump

 

[egarratt]

Torque 40NLD2 with 80# spectra to 15' piece of 80# fluorocarbon was a pleasure to fish with and land a 110# YFT at Guadalupe Island.

 

[Intrepid Fan]

What knot do you use to tie floro to mono? Especially on the heavier lines?

 

[tunanorth]

What knot do you use to tie floro to mono? Especially on the heavier lines?

4-turn Surgeon's Knot

 

[Rocket Dog]

Steve, how important is line capacity a Lupe? Since the 30 is handling 3 different line classes? Seems a departure the normal 40n (optional here).

 

[tunanorth]

Steve, how important is line capacity a Lupe? Since the 30 is handling 3 different line classes? Seems a departure the normal 40n (optional here).

Oops, sorry I missed this one.
Sometimes Guadalupe tuna are doing a "reaction bite", and eat the bait within seconds of it hitting the water.
Other times its a "long soak", situation, where the bait is 100-125 yards out [or more] to even begin to get into the strike zone, so you can be starting the fight with a serious amount of line already out.
Where the 30 shines over the 40N is when casting distance is a "must".
The 40N holds 500/80 braid, and the 30 holds 500/65 braid.