Fall Tuna Planning - Jigging

[Pennsy Guy]

Originally Posted by wtrbrdm

I should have mentioned that I'm running a Stella....so right at 50lb max drag for the original spool and 45lb with the SOM aftermarket spool. Both loaded with #65 JB Hollow (plus the required topshot of course). Rod is not the parabolic jigging stick which is preferred, but a 6'6" Terez XH...so it's got a decent amount of ass behind it.

You should be "good to go" with that gear...I fish the Gambler also...jiggers are on the side opposite the chunkers so it's really no problem...will see you on board if you're doing the 36hr trips...at any rate, tight lines, you picked a great boat with capt. & crew!!!
Incidentally, what's your chunking gear? How light do you go?

[wtrbrdm]

Thanks for the replies. Good copy on the jigging ethics. I'll also chat with the crew when I get on the boat. It's always a fine line on a PB between fishing how I want and respecting the crew and other anglers....which is tops on the list.

I'm currently booked for a freaking marathon session the week of October 10th (24 hour...then 48 hour...then 24 hour). I'm going to try and jump onto one of the 36 hour trips as well. I'm in VA so it's not too easy just run up for one quick trip. I'll be in Somerset mid September for work and was hoping to do a trip or two at the tag end of that week, but the Gambler doesn't have any dates set for that week....so I may look into one of the other boats for that week. Voyager has a 30 and 24 the days after I'm done with work up there. Gambler, however, is the only one to take cards as payment through Zerve reservations. Voyager doesn't so it may take me a week or two to set those spots. Oh how I wish they took paypal or cards....lol

I'm looking at 3 rigs for the trip:

-Light spinner for bait / sabiki
-Stella with #65 JB spliced to #50 mono topshot for jigging on the Terez rod (I run an extra spool with #40 JB/#30 mono for any top-water mahi play that may erupt)
-Accurate BX2 with #80 JB spliced to #60 mono topshot for chunking on a United Composites stand up

The only thing I'll be experimenting with (pre trip) is that Terez rod. I run offshore here in VA and the Outer Banks throughout the summer with a friend on his 32' Edgewater. I'll be messing with that Terez and maybe a shorter but heavy Blackhole. If the Blackhole has enough umpffff, I may feel ok jigging with a shorter rod.

[wtrbrdm]

...and of course the other problem I'll have to address is where to store cleaned fish between trips. I'm hoping to be up early enough to do some scouting...maybe a local shop who wouldn't mind giving up a little space for some frozen steak storage for a few bucks...or maybe someone local who has room in a freezer for a day or three....

[Pennsy Guy]

Originally Posted by wtrbrdm

...and of course the other problem I'll have to address is where to store cleaned fish between trips. I'm hoping to be up early enough to do some scouting...maybe a local shop who wouldn't mind giving up a little space for some frozen steak storage for a few bucks...or maybe someone local who has room in a freezer for a day or three....

Best of luck with that endeavor...can't help you there.
During the day chunking your extra spool with 40/30 line can be used for tuna, depending on length of top shot(100yd)...mostly, "light is right". I fly-line 30# with a 40# fluoro leader after the sun is getting high. Just a thought. If you're doing a 36hr. you'll see me on board.