Albacore Swimbait Rod and Reel Questions

[LadyE]

I fish the Central Oregon coast. I am currently building a CS 800XL for a swimbait rod. I think I went a little lite on the rod. Unfortunately there aren't many (if any) shops that carry Calstar or Seeker rods or blanks so it is an educated guess in building rods.

I want a rod that will be a dedicated rod for casting swimbaits on the slide or even just casting at jumping tuna. It should be strong enough to reel in a twenty to thirty pound Albacore in a reasonable amount of time yet be able to toss 1 1/2 oz swimbaits 100 feet or so.

There also aren't many tackle shops that carry Avet although I working on a shop in Newport, Oregon to start stocking some.

I was thinking about putting an Avet JX two speed with the rod using thirty pound test line (or maybe 40lb.). The reason I chose a JX is that I plan on doing a 10 Long Range trip in the future and thought it would be a good choice for a 30lb reel. I don't know how well the two speeds would be able to cast light swimbaits.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a 7ft or 8ft rod and a matching Avet reel? The 800XL would catch a tuna but it seems more suited to Salmon fishing or casting leadheads for bass. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

LadyE

[Double Z]

For 30lb, a JX is Ok but a MX might be better. A two speed, even better for the cool factor. I love my 8' Teramar almost as much as the 9' teramar. It pulls light at 8lbs of drag and will do 10lbs or more if you want. Very sensitive, lots of backbone and will fling whatever you want. Also makes for a very light package to fish all day. Oh, the rod is also about 1/3 the cost of the Calstar, lighter weight, and sounds bitchen when spectra is getting ripped across the guides at Mach3!

[Hana pa'a Time]

Bill, for 30# a MXJ or MXL will work better. I have both(two speeds), the MXJ is my 25# reel and the MXL is my 30# reel. Both backed with 50# spectra. Both reels will cast 1.5oz 60+ yds with my Rogue 80L. I currently have the MXJ on the 80L for swimbaits and Megabaits and the MXL on a Calstar 700ML for iron, larger Megabaits, trolling swimbaits or Hydromags.

In a Calstar a 800L would be a good rod as well as a 700L. I like the longer rods for casting the lighter weights.

The JX is better suited for 40#. I use mine for trolling clones/fleathers.

[LadyE]

So is the MX reel smaller than the JX and LX? I never was able to tell the difference. I thought the JX was about the same size as the MXJ but with a stronger drag. Does the MX reel cast better than the JX?

Sorry for the confusion but I have never seen the MXJ or MXL. Hard to find in Oregon. I have a LX two speed but have never used it yet. Am planning on using it for trolling tuna clones or swimbaits.

I have a 30N which I used for trolling last year and it really winched them in. It may be a little too much for clones but it did work well just maybe a little overkill.

[Hana pa'a Time]

Yes, they are smaller. I don't have a pic to compare, but some measurements may help.

The MX bodies are about 2-3/4" in diameter, MXJ spools are about 1-3/8" wide and MXL's about 1-3/4" wide.

JX bodies are about 3" in diameter and the spools are about 1-1/2" wide.

MX's will get the job done just fine

I also have LX's and use them for 'buts and trolling albies.

[EL CAPITAN]

I have my 800L with a mxj 6/4 awesome set up light rod for casting with a quick retrieve.

[110yd]

My 2 cents:
I fish a MXL with 30Lb and have it on a Calstar 700L. It is more than effective in working 1 1/2 oz swimbaits. The combination is fun to fish when you can get Tuna (20-30Lb) on swimbaits or small jigs.

Regards,

110yd

[dbar]

I have a 700l with an lx on it and it does just fine for everything from light swim baits to iron.