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Originally Posted by Chico
Great thread! I can really use it as I have my first T&T trip scheduled on a Party boat. Just curious, would it be a problem to use a 4/0 size two speed reel with 80# braid and a 100' topshot of mono for tuna bait fishing, or would I be better off just renting a two speed 6/0 outfit from the boat? (The 6/0 Penn I have the the old black one, not one of the high speed red ones.) You also mention the squid jigs for catching bait, what is used to catch the sardines? I assume bait is caught at night under the boat lights? Are the gunwales of the party boats to high to allow the use a fighting belt? When cod fishing I usually rest the rod foregrip on the rail while fighting the fish. You recomend a chunking rod and a bait rod, does that mean one with no sinker and another with an egg sinker above the swivel? Thanks for the great info!
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Chico,
Good luck on your first trip. To answer your questions....
would it be a problem to use a 4/0 size two speed reel with 80# braid and a 100' topshot
Check with the party boat first to see if braid is OK to use on the boat. Some Captians do not allow it for bait fishing but may allow it for jigging in the bow.
If it is allowed, the reel should be fine if the fish are not too big. Last year we caught many on 4/0's in the 25-40lb class. You can rent a rod on tne boat if the 6/0 is needed.
You also mention the squid jigs for catching bait, what is used to catch the sardines?
Sabiki rigs, 4-5 foot rig with small teasers. These are available at most offshore stores, some bait and tackle shops an on-line. Yes the bait can be caught in the lights but more often than not, they are deeper down. Try jigging for squid and sardines at different depths.
Are the gunwales of the party boats to high to allow the use a fighting belt?
Do not use a fighting belt. It is not condusive to Party boat fishing for tuna and can be more of a problem than a help. Use the rail if needed for leverage.
You recomend a chunking rod and a bait rod, does that mean one with no
sinker and another with an egg sinker above the swivel?
When I refer to "chunking rod", I mean tuna stand up rod. The bait rod is for squid and sardines. The chunking rod will be rigged with a egg sinker , swivel and 6/0 circle hook. The bait rod will be rigged with a sabiki rig or squid jig. I will also have a jigging rod for tuna ready with a 7-10 jig on it so it is ready to go.
Thanks for the questions. Glad to help. Good luck on your first tuna trip.
Leif
