Light-tackle Bluefin discussion

[Pete_G]

I'd say spinning gear IS appropriate, assuming it actually is. It CAN be light tackle, sure, but if you watch someone who'd good at fighting tuna on spin and is properly equipped, you'll see a 100# tuna boatside in short order.

But, fish fighting skills are lacking, ability to rig lines to put the maximum pull on the fish is lacking, ability to deal with a fish boatside is lacking, LOTS of things are lacking and I think a lot of it really it comes down to education and experience. These issues aren't exclusive to those using spin, either. I see plenty of vicious gaff and release tactics using conventional gear as well as excessively long battles.

As mentioned there's a lot of people out there that are new to the game because of the press it has received lately and that's where I think some of the issues lie. I think many spin guys wouldn't get locked in the battles they sometimes do if they knew what they were throwing at. They just haven't seen enough to gauge just what they're casting at. Unless you don't know what you're looking at you don't throw at 200 pound fish. Not only that but they just don't know what they're getting into. What felt like a heavy spin outfit just doesn't once they hook up to an actual 100# fish. People look at me like I have 3 heads sometimes when I recommend an appropriate spin outfit for this year's very common 100# bluefin. "REally?!! That big a spinning reel?$^!"

So that's my take on it. Gear up and turn that drag up. Get a hefty Calstar, St. Croix, whatever, something that means business. 20 to 40 pound rated minimum. Don't cast at giants. Use singles if you're planning to release. A gaff shot to the cheek or anywhere really isn't the best for a healthy release. Basic stuff and seemingly common sense maybe, but only if you've been doing it for a while.

This year especially a lot of guys are having a reality check, and if the fish are bigger next year this won't even be a discussion as they will have moved out of the realm of spin gear.

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

People look at me like I have 3 heads sometimes when I recommend an appropriate spin outfit for this year's very common 100# bluefin.

Out of curiosity, but how much drag, line, and line capacity do you think is appropriate at a minimum? Minimal spin/conventional reels that aren't the heavy duty TLD, etc. conventional trolling reels w/ 600yd/30# capacity?

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by kenyee

Out of curiosity, but how much drag, line, and line capacity do you think is appropriate at a minimum? Minimal spin/conventional reels that aren't the heavy duty TLD, etc. conventional trolling reels w/ 600yd/30# capacity?

For spin gear 13 to 17#'s of drag for 50# braid. Much more and you'll bust 50# braid way too often. Much less and you'll be there for an hour unless you palm the spool (which I'm a big proponent of during the vertical fight). You can start carefully playing around 20#'s or so with 65# line.

Be aware that 20#'s of spin reel drag can take out a fish quickly but it also takes out a lot of anglers too (assuming it's a 100 pound tuna). It's SERIOUS drag pressure. Don't laugh at it until you try it. Come to the SWE parking lot and I'll hook you up to Phat Matt and let him run, you'll see.

For line, 400+ yards but you'll never want to see that much and usually won't. I chase long before that if I even remotely think there will be an issue, I hate long fights. I fished with 200 yards of braid last year just to see (the fish were smaller, 60 to 70 pounds mostly) if I'd ever have an issue and never saw backing.

Biggest reason not to let fights drag on is most of people tire a bit fairly quickly, proper fish fighting goes out the window, and it goes downhill for everyone from there. The fish, the fighter, and everyone else in the boat who wants to go catch one. Minutes tick by and before long you're the spin guy RIRockhound's talking about.

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

For spin gear 13 to 17#'s of drag for 50# braid. Much more and you'll bust 50# braid way too often.

Doesn't sound like 50# braid works that well for this year's bigger tuna if this is any indication:
http://www.stripersonline.com/surfta...d.php?t=605838

ken

[likwid]

Originally Posted by kenyee

Doesn't sound like 50# braid works that well for this year's bigger tuna if this is any indication:
http://www.stripersonline.com/surfta...d.php?t=605838

ken

It was fine for the "small" fish this year.



Same boat.

That latest fish is pushing 200.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by kenyee

Doesn't sound like 50# braid works that well for this year's bigger tuna if this is any indication:
http://www.stripersonline.com/surfta...d.php?t=605838

ken

That fish isn't exactly standard fare for spin rods, including that one I only know of four landed in that size class on spin this year. Not really the ideal tuna if you want to possibly release on spin gear, no mattter what the braid. You're pretty much keeping that fish if you catch it.

50 is just fine if rigged right for the far more common 90 to 100 pound fish most are encountering.