I tuna fish with the Helen H a handful of times every year . . . here is my take for what it is worth
Trolling - they set up 8 man teams and rotate every 20 minutes or so. They use all their own tackle and lures - I've seen people try to add there own "favorites" to the spread and it becomes problematic. My advice leave all the trolling stuff to them and focus on the jigging and bait set ups.
Once a fish is hooked on the troll Joe will take the boat out of gear and guys will jig from around the boat - last trip many of the best fish were hooked on jigs. As to what gear to use - I use 2 Saltiga 40's with 80 pound braid - the color coded line is helpful. As to jigs - no need to get fancy 8 - 10 hammered diamonds work as well as anything.
Bait setups - once they set up to chunk they really prefer mono - only in the water - which dictates a larger reel. "Middle of the road" is a 50 wide size reel with 100 pound mono . . . you'll see guys using larger and smaller but a 50 is the standard.
I also bring a Saltiga 4500 and 7 foot St Croix that I can use for catching live squid and it doubles as a nice setup for Mahi . . . last trip we had few squid around the boat but the mahi were cruising all over - throw a chunk of butterfish at them and hold on
Bring a sleeping bag and plan on sleeping on the way out and the way in . . . the chunk bite has not really heated up from what I've heard and most of the action we saw came at sunset and sunrise - but every trip is different.
One comment on spinning gear - I know it is becoming all the rage - and I have a Stella 10000 - but I would never think of bringing it on a trip like this - guys do - but with the high railings I just don't think they work well - there willl be zero opportunities to cast to breaking fish (even if they were breaking - the crew would not let anyone cast overhand for safetly reasons) -
Wish I could join you guys for this one but I have travel commitments already booked - best of luck and say Hi to Matty and Jiggin John for me
