Tile fishing
 

I am looking to try a tile trip for the first time. I have caught a few while on a tuna trip but never actually went out looking for them. When is the best time to go for tile? I also heard that going on a boat from south jersey will cut the travel time to the canyons by a lot, is this true? Does anyone have any recommendations of a particular boat? I know the voyager used to go a lot but I thought I heard they sold. Also, I wouldn't even know where to start with tackle so any information would be helpful! !! Thanks all!

Re: Tile fishing
 

If you near Brielle go to the Reel Seat if I'm not mistaking these guys live for Tile fishing I'm sure they give you a lot of info and tips.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thanks Joey. I'm about an hr and a half away from there but I may just have to take a ride!

Re: Tile fishing
 

I think it would be worth your time.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Hi Togman16, I see you want to venture out to the deep. Like Joey said, go see Dave n Eric at Reel Seat, they have setups in all price ranges and they are All Good plus all the other toys that you will need! I don't know their winter schedule so I would call first. As for the Voyager, she is just Bigger and Faster now. Dennis

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thanks. Dennis you are the tile man from what you said. Do you recommend the voyager?

Re: Tile fishing
 

The previous WR Golden and now the Current WR Blueline tile was caught by Capt Jeff on the Voyager and the crew, fellow anglers that fish her are Second to none. So, I think that's an Emphatic Yes. lol Dennis

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thank you dennis. If you don't mind could you tell me what type of set up and gear you use? I'm a rookie for these fish.

Re: Tile fishing
 

I've been chomping at the bit for the V to post his schedule for this year. I love tile fishing too. Seems as though no one is doing it currently.

Re: Tile fishing
 

I have 3 rods that I use, one's a Calstar tuna jigging rod, a Garone rod and a White glass tog rod, all around 8 foot and can handle up to 3 pounds and still have sensitivity. Reels: Trinidad 40, Jigging Master Pe8 and Ocean Master P10. Stay with a ratio of 4:0+/- and you'll do fine. Like I said, Dave will set u up with the right stuff according to what u like and want to spend. All my reels came from Dave if that helps with your decision making. Dennis

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thank you dennis!

Re: Tile fishing
 

As mentioned above Dave from reel seat is the guy you want to talk to about tile fishing. If you are looking to get a nice set up I have custom rod and Gallicans 2 speed with custom handle that would be the cats meow
Killer set up at discounted price as all money I raise goes to help elderly neighbor of mine. If you are in the Cranford nj area give me a ring
Even though I am in tog mode right now would be happy to talk tiles
Alex
201-741-1823

Re: Tile fishing
 

Alex, are you sure of the reel being a Callicans? Can't seem to be able to google it.

Re: Tile fishing
 

I actually build my own rods so I wad looking to see what people use and build my own.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Not sure where I cam up with that spelling Meant to say Talica 16 2 speed

TAC16II Lever Drag 2 Speed Reel,
Gear Ratio High 5.7:1,
Gear Ratio Low 3.1:1,
Weight 26.5 oz.

Retail: $499.99
My price with custom Handle and 80 lb braid
$400 cash

Do not want to sell but Neighbor needs the money

Re: Tile fishing
 

Mvp can you pm me with pics and details please?

Re: Tile fishing
 

Dave at the Reel Seat has offered beginner 1-day trips on the Voyager for the past couple of years. They are usually around June and August. He even holds a good seminar right before these trips to answer all questions. Give the shop a call to see what is planned for this season. The Voyager should be posting the Tile trip dates soon. Good luck!

Re: Tile fishing
 

Tiles seem to be one of the few species that the feds pretty much leave alone. Any ideas why or should we just not talk about it?;)

Re: Tile fishing
 

Hey Togman,

Lots of good advice here. As for time of year May- September are usually best as the weather is nice, days are long and there usually are no spiney dogfish in the deep. I like a single speed reel with a ratio around 4:1 that holds 500+ yards of 65# solid. Hollow core has way more drag in the water which will make you use more weight to effectively hold bottom, or you will have to keep letting line out. If you build your own rods I have a bunch of different blanks you can pull on to see what you like. I can also set you up with components for your build.

Re: Tile fishing
 

In my opinion, Talica 16II is a great reel but not for tilefishing. High gear is too high and low gear is too low. This opinion was formed from my personal experiences with the reel for two plus seasons. I fish with and recommend: Ocean Max 10, Accurate Extreme Boss 600N (4:1), and Jigging Master PE 6 and 8.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thank you everyone for your help! If you could pm me some info on your blanks and rod materials that would be great.

John

Re: Tile fishing
 

Take a look at the United Composites Raptor blank, makes a nice tile rod.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Mike Garone made my Seeker Super Tile!

Re: Tile fishing
 

Mike Garone, What is the difference between the Classic Tile blank and the Super Tile? I too have been looking at all the rod options......Greg.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Hey Greg,

The Classic Tile is an all glass rod with a soft feel to it, where as the Super Tile is a composite which a faster action, crisper feel and lighter weight. I also have a new blank the United Composites designed as per my specs which is all graphite.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thanks Mike. Having never been tilefishing I am trying to outfit myself for this year. My backup or secondary setup will be an UglyStick BWB1120 8' with a Shimano Tekota 800 spooled with 50 lb. solid braid. My primary setup will be a Jigging Master PE8 and I'm still searching for the right blank to build on to compliment my setup. The CSB 909, Classic Tile, Super Tile, UC Raptor, Phenix Hybrid 40-100, Phenix Axis 40-100.....so hard to pick one.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Togman
If you build your own rods, I'm sure you know Mudhole. I really like my MHX Saltwater Series 7', 40-100lb blank. They're composite blanks. It's alittle shorter than these fellas suggest but I use it with an "out rodder" for tiles. I built it for party boat tuna fishing so I put a 16" butt grip on it, which is not really ideal with the out rodder. I plan to build another for tiles with a 12" butt grip. It's a great blank for not alot of money. Oh BTW, it absolutely MUST BE SPIRAL WRAPPED!!!
Jon

Re: Tile fishing
 

Do you have a picture of the spiral wrap????

Re: Tile fishing
 

Of the blanks mentioned, I've personally built UC raptor, Phenix X2H for tuna chunking set up. If you don't mind spending some $$, Phenix X2H (40-100) is a really nice blank. I've also built a tile rod using a Calstar 800XH, and if you don't mind a fat blank, it's pretty decent for the money.
As for length, there is a reason why tile guys prefer longer rods. When you are bouncing 3lb lead 700ft deep, longer rods require less movement and IMO less tiring. Sure, I personally prefer 7'6" or 8' rods, spiral wrapped, with tough fore grip I can rail and crank away.
As for reels, I've used 2 speeds as well as low gear (4:1) single speeds and I prefer 4:1. I didn't like 2 speeds because low gear was too slow, yet high gear was too fast. If you hook a monster, low gear would come in handy, but definately doable with a single gear if you let the rod do the work.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Why do you so strongly recommend the spiral wrap?

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thanks for the info. What is your opinion of the UC Raptor as a tile rod? I was all set on the Phenix 40-100 but heard of a few breakage issues and that scared me away.

Re: Tile fishing
 

I prefer the spiral wrap because with the guides on the bottom (like a spinning rod) the natural bend in the rod holds the reel straight up for you. A decimate perc when you're doing all that cranking. It's a cool concept that a lot of guys have a tuff time wrapping their heads around. I love mine.

Re: Tile fishing
 

Perhaps I can answer both questions with this video. I think I might have posted this before, but here's a short video of myself fighting a bigeye last year. The rod is UC raptor and if it can handle 200lb bigeye, no reason it can't handle a tile. The rod is soft enough to bend to keep the fish on the hook and also has some serious backbone. Should handle 3~4lb lead as well. So I don't see why not, except for the fact that it's 7'
Also, you'll see the rod is spiral wrapped and the rod was pretty stable with little side-to-side rolls even with a wide reel. I'll try to find the vids of my buddy fighting yellows with the Phenix X2H.

http://youtu.be/ATuz4RB8LEo

Re: Tile fishing
 

Thank you for posting that and congrats on the bigeye. The Raptor is a possibility for me and I can get it in 7'6". Hmmm.....decisions, decisions.

Re: Tile fishing
 

The tilefish schedule is up on the website for those of us who fish for them out of Point Pleasant Beach!!