Party boat tuna tackle question

[Pennsy Guy]

My reel for 80# last year and now for 60# is the Avet EXW 30 2 speed on a custom "acid wrap" 6'6" carbon fiber rod. I left the 200yd 80# braid & loaded 200 yds of 60# mono as the top shot. I think I had 165 yds 80# mono loaded last year. I only got into the braid once in 4-5 years but biggest fish were only 90-100# YFT's. Just remember to lighten up on the leaders during the day, all the way down to 40# fluorocarbon leaders & don't forget to lighten up on the drag!!! As you gain more experience and confidence you can fish lighter outfits and line. On a good tuna boat, the mates and fellow anglers should work with you giving pointers and general help. Don't be afraid to ask and pay attention to what the "regulars" are doing...(after 20+ years, I'm still picking up tips).
What's been said above by others is good stuff...I'll re-spool mono once or twice during the tuna season if it's been well used(stretched) with tuna. Check your line for nicks, scrapes & other abrasions as you reel in on the retrieve and after a tuna has gone under the boat, line may have scraped the chine, transom or running gear. More than one tuna has been lost to that-unfortunately,I know from personal experience!!!
At any rate have a good trip and we'll be waiting for your report---tight lines...

[Pennsy Guy]

Originally Posted by Grateful Dad

Maybe a dumb question, but why would you use braid as a backing, or under a 200 yard topshot of mono? Don't you lose all the benefit of the braid(low stretch, etc.)? Plus, it seems like a pretty expensive backing material, since you're probably not going to have 200 yards of line out at a time, no?

Grateful dad, all my reels have braid backing---good for 7-8 years manufacturers have told me when used as backing...saves on mono re-spooling with the backing & increases reel line capacity...my 2 cents.....

When I mated on a private boat, I tried to get the boss's son to put on braid backing on 3 Penn Int. 80's and 5 Penn Int. 50's but he wouldn't...the bottom half of the mono on all the reels never left the reel but was stripped every year...tried to tell him they were throwing money & good line away, oh well....

[Walleyed]

Originally Posted by Grateful Dad

Maybe a dumb question, but why would you use braid as a backing, or under a 200 yard topshot of mono? Don't you lose all the benefit of the braid(low stretch, etc.)? Plus, it seems like a pretty expensive backing material, since you're probably not going to have 200 yards of line out at a time, no?

My 80lb reel last year (and this year) is a Avet HXW Raptor 2spd. 100lb Jerry Brown hollowcore with 200 yd of 80lb Momoi Diamond on top. Had a 80lb YFT on that took it out to the braid on three different runs, and that was with 20lbs of scale-tested drag set.

Also, for big fish, you need the stretch to act as a shock absorber for when they decide to run.

And yes, I did get the fish.

[kyle7683]

Ok now I'm stuck between reels, either the avet exw30 or avet hxw30