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
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
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