Correct Reel for bluefin and yellowfin charter fishing off Pt Loma

[Smitpj]

I'm an occasional client of sport fishing charters off San Diego/Pt Loma.  Want to bring my own Reel and rail rod to jig for these amazing fish.  Thinking 2-speed, 130 lb braid and mono top shot setup.  Recommendations?

[Keta]

Are you planning on putting the reel on a 100# rod? 

I fish 80# and 100# when plus size tuna are possible.  A Penn VISX 16 or Okuma Makira 16Sea would be my first choice, the same in the 20 size would be my second choice.  The lighter 16 size reel is easier on me and my arthritic wrists and lets me put more time on the rail.

[jzman]

During Hall / PCS shows the 20 size is at a deeper discount and sometimes even cheaper than the 16 because the 16 is more popular.

For 20 size I recommend 130#.  The line diameter difference between 100 and 130 is not too different so getting the 130 is worth it.

[Keta]

I have 130# JB Line One Patriot on my VISX 16 and 20 with 30' 100# and 80# topshots.  I use JB 100# and have never had a issue but prefer to use spectra heavier than my topshots for most of my reels.

[pjstevko]

Mak 16 SEa.....

[Rocket Dog]

I used my Tiburon SST16 with 100lbs for jigging at night. I landed a 160lbs BTF and several 40-60lbs that I horsed in.

[MarkT]

I have 130# JB Line One Patriot on my VISX 16 and 20 with 30' 100# and 80# topshots.  I use JB 100# and have never had a issue but prefer to use spectra heavier than my topshots for most of my reels.

I feel that approach is unnecessary and outdated. I go with 80/80, 100/100, 130/130. My smaller reels have 65# braid with 50 & 60# top shots.

[Cor]

It is possible to catch Yellowfin on much lighter tackle.   I would use a 80lb, 8 ft casting rod, 60 lb mono on a single speed reel.   As long as the fish are not much more then 145 lb and on the surface you can have the fun of a lifetime, especially if casting surface lures.

You probably need to be on a smaller type boat that will follow the hooked fish and it may take 3/4 of an hour to land.

I specially did not say anything about a reel as most conventionals that we use for Yellowtail will work, occasionally some break     Fiend of mine mostly used Shimano 20/40 star drags, but I would suggest slightly beefier aluminium framed reels.    Shimano Stella if you if you are in to Spinning tackle.

Also if you try to jig those fish off the bottom with the tackle I am suggesting you are in for a hiding, they don't want to come up from the bottom.   Also keep your lure away from the big ones  

Sorry I am having some fun writing this, but is true mostly.

[Keta]

I feel that approach is unnecessary and outdated. I go with 80/80, 100/100, 130/130. My smaller reels have 65# braid with 50 & 60# top shots.

One disadvantage is a minimal loss of line capacity, another is dealing with drift.  The big advantage is if you break off it is usually not the high $ Spectra that breaks.

Most manufacturer under rate the breaking strength of their Spectra, JB Line One 65# solid breaks in the high 70# range.  One of my 80# BFT rigs is spooled with 65# solid and a 30' 80# topshot on a AVET EX 30 for fishing BFT deep when there is a lot of drift.  The thinner solid 65# cuts the water far better than 80# plus.

Most of my smaller reels have 60# JB hollow with the exception of my 4 tiny reels (Penn FTHII 10XN, FTHII 15XN AND TRQ 15XN) that are spooled with 30# and 40# JB solid due to limited  line capacity.  I came close to getting spooled using 30# on the November trip with one of the nice YFT on a FTHII 15XN.  I did manage to land several nice YFT on 30# without loosing any.

[Bill B]

I'm an occasional client of sport fishing charters off San Diego/Pt Loma.  Want to bring my own Reel and rail rod to jig for these amazing fish.  Thinking 2-speed, 130 lb braid and mono top shot setup.  Recommendations?

Just my .02 cents.

For "occasional" I will assume twice a year.  While the tackle recommended is ideal for larger grade fish, 150#+, they all tend to be heavy.  5 hours of jigging will leave you exhausted.  Also the tackle recommended is what I would consider specialized equipment, large tuna, trolling, and large bottom grabbers.

For occasional use on tuna, I would look for a rig that has a cross over to other types of fishing, yoyo irons, flyline sardines, surface irons, etc.  More value for your $$$.

The Penn Torque 40NLD2 or Fathom 40NLD2 and an Okuma PCH 741XXH will fit that bill.  Either of those reels will easily fish 50# topshots and I have fished mine as high as 80#.  2 years ago I landed two 150# bluefin on a Fathom 40NLD2 with 80 braid and 80 topshot.  One was an easy fight the other fish kicked my backside.  I also use that rig for yoyo, flyline, dropper loop, etc.

If you want to go a little heavier bump up to the Fathom 60NLD2 and a PCH 741XXH and you have an 80# to 100# rig, albeit a little heavier and more specialized than the 40N.

15 years ago I would have no issue with the heavier gear, young and dumb 😉, now older and well..... just leave it as older, I'm happy grabbing lighter gear.

Bill

[pjstevko]

I'm an occasional client of sport fishing charters off San Diego/Pt Loma.  Want to bring my own Reel and rail rod to jig for these amazing fish.  Thinking 2-speed, 130 lb braid and mono top shot setup.  Recommendations?

Just my .02 cents.

For "occasional" I will assume twice a year.  While the tackle recommended is ideal for larger grade fish, 150#+, they all tend to be heavy.  5 hours of jigging will leave you exhausted.  Also the tackle recommended is what I would consider specialized equipment, large tuna, trolling, and large bottom grabbers.

For occasional use on tuna, I would look for a rig that has a cross over to other types of fishing, yoyo irons, flyline sardines, surface irons, etc.  More value for your $$$.

The Penn Torque 40NLD2 or Fathom 40NLD2 and an Okuma PCH 741XXH will fit that bill.  Either of those reels will easily fish 50# topshots and I have fished mine as high as 80#.  2 years ago I landed two 150# bluefin on a Fathom 40NLD2 with 80 braid and 80 topshot.  One was an easy fight the other fish kicked my backside.  I also use that rig for yoyo, flyline, dropper loop, etc.

If you want to go a little heavier bump up to the Fathom 60NLD2 and a PCH 741XXH and you have an 80# to 100# rig, albeit a little heavier and more specialized than the 40N.

15 years ago I would have no issue with the heavier gear, young and dumb 😉, now older and well..... just leave it as older, I'm happy grabbing lighter gear.

Bill

I agree with Bill. The Torque 40nld2 is perfect for bigger bft and as stated can be used for other species and styles of fishing as well.

The problem is once you catch a nice sized tuna your "occasional" trips turn into 4-5 times a year then you need/want better gear. This is wear the saying "Buy nice or buy twice" comes into play.

[Keta]

I would not want to fight a plus size BFT or YFT on a FTH/TRQ 40N or FTH 60, A 16 size reel works much  better.

VISX 16 and 80#.

[CI_Seawolf]

I like a 16 VISX for 100 for bluefin fishing.  I don't worry about line capacity and it isn't too heavy for those all night jigging sessions.  If the 180-250 lb models are biting , I might resort to my 20 VISX with 130.   Putting together my new sinker rig outfit, a 12 VISX with reworked drag and larger handle fishing 80 lb.

[Keta]

We were catching fish in the 80#-160# range when the 212# above hit a eddy bomb.  The fish made several long runs but I never felt under gunned with my VISX 16 and 80#. I could have landed the fish a bit sooner on 100#.

[CI_Seawolf]

Beautiful fish Lee!