Line for Football Bluefin Tuna
 

I plan on doing some fishing for footballs this year off Chatham (if they show up again) What does everyone recommend for line? I have some 50 lb big game that I planned on using..should I put some backing on first, such as dacron, or can I spool up with just the mono? thanks

what are you putting it on?

ff..I have a penn senator I was going to use.

if it's a 9/0 that will work. if it's smaller 6/0 you might want 30 or 25#
any gear fit for large bass will work. i'd fill it 1/2 way with dacron and the other 1/2 with mono.unless you hook a giant you'll probly never see the knot between them.if it's packed tight or you get a nice fish on it mono will turn to a phone cord in about two weeks. that way you only have to change the top shot instead of the whole spool.

I believe its the 113H. what reel would that be?

a 113 may be a bit small 1
A 114 would be better, and I think Van is selling a few 114 reels.

Is there any way that the 113 would work with 30# line? I really dont have the $ to buy another reel, all tapped out for this year.

Yes,
though like I said, a 114 would be better , larger spool for when they make their runs!!!

sure, use it. run what ya got.
worst case is the drag gets smoked, then put it on ebay.. but it will handle some pretty big fish.
the bluefin we got off chatham and in the bay last year were 30-40# so those reels would be fun. if you hook a big one it will just take longer..load it up with 80# braid.

Trolling Speeds ?

What do you guys like?

If it's just bluefin up here how fast do they like it ??

Trolling speed varies from boat to boat. I troll at 1,000 RPMs, no matter what speed that gives me. That's the magic number where my boat raises fish.

MM,

That interesting....do you think it is something to do with the harmonics and sounds your engines give off at that rpm?

same here,, depends which boat i'm on.
the big boat were as slow as is will go, probly 6 knots? but that thing leaves a wake like a cruise ship
my buds 28' walkarround with twin 175's,, it's 1400 rpms each motor. probly 6 knots?
a 23' center console single 225 it's 1600 rpms, probly 7 knots.
just that magic # for each boat,, and when you do get a fish ,,stop the planet for 10 minutes and remember everything you did just then.
trolling north to south in a 4 knot curent is only 2 knots over water. trolling north all day in 5 knot current is like drifting. your following the same water arround:hs:

Beamie,
I think it has to do with more variable that I can think about at the same time. Harmonics, boat wake, lure action, and probably a zillion other things. Point is that every boat has its "sweet spot" and you just have to work to find out where it is.

ff..should 300 yds of 80# braid be sufficient with the 113h if i include the dacron backing?