http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/ Reports and Discussions about Long Range fishing en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:34:16 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/ http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168836-cows-biting.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:59:53 GMT Hey guys,

Here is a second hand report I received this morning from an angler named "Steve". This sounds promising. I'm sure we can find confirmation from the boats reports..


Hey Jeff,

The lower banks finally took off today. Scotty from the R.P office, reported that the Spirit of Advenure nailed 13 fish over 250# and the Star caught 8 over 250# today!!! I hope she didn't mean over 200# either way it's a good sign.

Also from the Shogun,

http://www.shogunsportfishing.com/co...log/Itemid,26/ ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing Holi-e-Mackeral http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168836-cows-biting.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168782-best-all-around-30-size-reel.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:48:30 GMT On our last trip my buddy and I started talking about and asking around about the best 30 size reel for fishing primarily 80 pound. We would love to hear some opinions. Any details and or... On our last trip my buddy and I started talking about and asking around about the best 30 size reel for fishing primarily 80 pound. We would love to hear some opinions. Any details and or experiences with specific models and brands are appreciated. ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing mooose29 http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168782-best-all-around-30-size-reel.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168773-breaking-heavy-mono-bare-hands.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:26:12 GMT nevermind...please delete nevermind...please delete ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing JJONES660 http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168773-breaking-heavy-mono-bare-hands.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168726-cow-fever.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:20:49 GMT Man do i have cow fever ive got to get on a boat soon i'm dying ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing nevertrippin http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168726-cow-fever.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168724-merritt-10-day-excel-11-4-11-14-a.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:59:24 GMT Here is a recap of our 10 day trip on the Excel. We left on Wednesday along with 6 other boats but because the Excel did not run the trip before we were checked in and we departing the dock by... Here is a recap of our 10 day trip on the Excel.

We left on Wednesday along with 6 other boats but because the Excel did not run the trip before we were checked in and we departing the dock by 7:30 am. A quick 2 hour stop at the recievers and we were on our way south with high expectations and a nice load of bait. We had an absolutly great crew for this trip. Justin as captain, Mike as deck boss along with Brandon, Rene, Derick, Jacob on deck and Jason and Jim in the galley.

Jason and Jim did a supurb job in the galley the food was up to the level we have all come to expect on these trips with a lot of different variety for meals and snacks.

Weather for this trip was mostly good. On the way south there was a big swell and we had one day of rain and snotty weather but going down hill on a big boat sure makes things nice. The last night was also a bit rough for a few hours around dinner time (of course). Other then that we had warm days and cool nights. We had many days that were shirt off kind of days so that was nice.

I have been on the Excel every year since 96 but this was my first year on the Merritt trip. It was a fantastic group of anglers and everyone got along great. I am certainly looking forward to next year.

Departure day was all travel and relaxing

Day 2 we stopped for a couple of hours in the afternoon and fished for Yellowtail and Yellow Fin Tuna. We were moderatly successfull in catching both species. The Yellowtail were mostly 10-20 with 12-16 being the average. The Yellow Fin Tuna were 20-30 pounders. I mostly fished jigs this day with the scrambled 6X jr being the ticket for the tails, and the Tady blue and chrome 77 was killing the tuna. Others fishing bait and dropper loop also had success. Justin decided to stay up in this area for another day to let the areas below us try and sort themselves out. So far the reports from the ridge, lower banks, and Alijos were not good so we decided to do our beach fishing now.

Day 3 was the same as the afternoon before, fun action with nothing wide open just some good bites. The morning was slow and the afternoon a bit better. we ended up fishing down towards San Pablo, Turtle bay, Clam bay, etc...

Day 4 we fished the Uncle Sam for 20-30 pound Yellow Fin Tuna and 12-18 pound Yellowtail along with assorted bottom grabbers. The highlight for the day was the Wahoo bite. We got 20+, we would troll Maraders and then get 5-20 hook ups for an additional 5+ fish. The wahoo liked the bombs and bait this trip and did not seem to like the Raiders (my favorite wahoo jig) at all. The Sea Strike caught a few as well. with several hundred fish securly on board Justin pointed us south to the lower banks early in the afternoon to get us there before sun up. He told us that a few boats down there had 4-15 fish for the day and so we would join the group (6 boats) anchored up fishing for big ones. You could feel the excitement level grow on the boat. we spent the rest of the day getting ready.

Day 5 I was up nice and early and in the water as soon as we got set up. One of the crew guys told me we were on the Potato bank. My wepon of choice was a Penn 30 S that has been dialed in by Cofe and a super Seeker 6460 XXH, with a 15 foot top shot of 80 blackwater attached to 80 JB hollow. I connected via loop to loop with the loops that I spliced in. On the top shot I used a Sato crimp for the connection. We saw some fish today but could only get 3 to bite. a regular by the name of Al got a 135 about mid day, I think one of the kite guys got about a 20 pound fish and I got a 50 pounder as the sun went down and Justin was pulling the anchor to get reset for the night. 3 fish today made for a loooooong day. A lot of guys threw in the towel and fished dropped loops for Groupper and Yellowtail but we only got about a dozen of those. we did have a couple of guys go down to 60 to get bit and both promtly lost their fish one to a bad connection and one line break early in the fight. Justin wants to give it another day and so do we.

Day 6 Another long day we got a 135 early which I thought would be a good omen, then nothing till lunch when we got a 110, about an hour later there was 150 caught and then nothing. Once again we were catching Yellowtail and grouper and at times there were only 5 or 6 of us fishing for tuna. No matter how slow it was I just couldn't bring myself to make the switch. With 200 pound tuna swiming around the boat. We definitly saw good sign throughout the day. It is pretty cool but frustrating to watch a 200 pound tuna jump clear out of the water 50 feet from the stern.

At about 4:20 my agravation would end. I had just nose hooked a sardine to a 5/0 2005 Eagle Claw hook, cast out on the port side followed my bait across to the starboard corner and was probably 50-70 feet away from the boat when I got bit. I moved the lever to about 75% of strike wound tight and was on what I thought was a very small fish. The first minute I was just grinding the fish to the boat with barely a bend in my rod. The fish was probably 20-30 feet from the boat when it woke up and decided to act it's size. 150 yards later as I was standing up in the bow and I knew I had a big fish on. The fish stayed in the bow the entire fight. I was able to use my harness for about 20 minutes but other then that I used the rail for the rest of the fight in fact for the last hour I didn't even have my harness or rod belt on because it was just getting in the way. The fish went under and around the anchor probably 7-10 times. About 30 minutes into my fight the kites finaly got bit (those poor guys had been on the kite for like 5 hours) and so now we had 3 fish in the bow with the anchor in the water. To say the crew was a bit busy would be an understatement! They were like a well oiled machine they each had their roles and kept everything organized. The passengers were also a great help bringing us water and offering encouragement.

Other then the first run the fish didn't really take much line. I would get 20 feet he would get 18, I would think I had his head turned and he would remind me that he still had a lot left. At one point early in the fight when Justin was helpping me around the anchor. He looked at me and said "I hate to say it but you have a big fish, you can tell by the slow/long tail beat on the tip of the rod". The fight went on and I was amazed at how calm and confident I felt. Using the rail was great and with a rod that is designed for the rail it will be even better next time. On the rail was were I felt most comfortable. The crew was great and I always had someone by my side. About an hour in we saw a golden glow from the fish up swell about 50 feet from the boat. It would be about another 45 minutes before we saw him again. Sometime during the fight I heard that the kite fish got landed and one weighed in at 246. When I heard that it was the first time I felt nervous and I thought wow I have a shot at a cow. With the other two fish landed I was now the last one hanging and I had most of the boat watching but to be honest I hardly noticed. I had the rod on the rail and when it came up I would wind and gain on the fish. Another thing to note. with the short top shot you can feel everything that the fish is doing. every head shake, every time the line rubs across the fins. At one point I thought I lost him when he shook his head and swam right at me. The rod went slack and I thought shit its gone and started to let my guard down. Justin however told me to wind and about 5 cranks later I could tell he was still there. I loved the short top shot but it does make for some interesting moments.

Finally we had the fish coming. Mike and Justin had been trading off being next to me and now it was Mike talking me through the last few minutes and Justin, Jason, Brandon, and Jacob with the gaffs. The fist big circle I got my fish real look at the fish and it took my breath away. It looked huge swiming on its right side doing circles from left to right. The first pass was close, the second closer but just out of reach. The third circle the circle got tighter but the fish got a few feet deeper. With each circle I had to lean out to avoid rubbing the line on the hull which was a bitch at this stage in the game. The fourth circle felt to all of us like it was going to be the one. I gained several feet on the outside of the circle and as he was coming toward the boat I gained a couple more. The drag was full forward and I was pulling for all I was worth as Mike was telling me to pull, pull, pull! Then all of a sudden snap went the line and I fell backwards, instantly yelling out NO! There was however a thought in my mind that Justin might have a shot at the fish before he swam away and so as I caught my balance I looked at him and asked did you get him? I looked over and the smile told me he had gotten him. I was so happy I started hugging people around me and high fiving. Later when talking to Justin he told me that he got it by just a couple of inches and that if he would have exploded he probably would have ripped of the gaff as he didnt have a very good stick. Lucky the fish done and just laid there waiting for the other gaffs to hit home.

Keep in mind that I have been going on long range trips for 13 years and I had never gotten a fish over 100 pounds and when this fish came over I knew I could finally check that milestone off my checklist. 174.5, it went on the scale and I couldn't have been happier. I was glowing for the rest of the trip.

The rest of the trip was spent running up the beach and catching the usual, wahoo, Yellowtail, Yellow Fin Tuna, and assorted bottom grabbers.

The fish took first in the JP as it was the largest non kite fish caught that trip. At the landing Justin handed me the envelope and I handed it right back knowing that there were probably 3-4 opportunities for that fish to be lost throughout the fight but because of the crew it was not.

Another great trip on the Excel and I can't wait till next year. ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing mooose29 http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168724-merritt-10-day-excel-11-4-11-14-a.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168698-bhp-fluorocarbon-break-test-data.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:28:31 GMT Here's the first round of break test data using the Com-Ten 95FS. I will be publishing data for a wider range of line products in the future, including mono and braid. One interesting result to note, and one I have always stated from pulling on all of these different fluorocarbon lines on my bench: Seaguar has the most stretch. In fact, in two examples below the machine never broke it as the line stretched to the maximum travel of the 95FS.

090lb Momoi fluoro 1.05mm 110.7lb
090lb Seaguar fluoro 1.05mm 103.2lb

100lb Blackwater fluoro 1.07mm 121.7lb
100lb Seaguar Premiere fluoro .91mm 109.0lb machine limit stretch; no break
100lb Yo-Zuri Pink fluoro .979mm 105.7lb

130lb Momoi fluoro 1.11mm 136.7lb
130lb Blackwater fluoro 1.20mm 168.2lb
130lb Seaguar fluoro 1.28mm 099.2lb machine limit stretch; no break
130lb Seaguar Premiere fluoro 1.05mm 136.0lb
130lb Yo-Zuri Pink fluoro 1.22mm 128.5lb ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing ifish42na http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168698-bhp-fluorocarbon-break-test-data.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168693-connections.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:25:28 GMT I recently noticed that several big fish were caught with the following information: 130 # Spectra, to 100 # mono to 100# Fluro. I think I saw it on a RR III trip. Does anyone know what connection... I recently noticed that several big fish were caught with the following information: 130 # Spectra, to 100 # mono to 100# Fluro. I think I saw it on a RR III trip. Does anyone know what connection was used mono to fluro?? Does this make any sense, why put the mono in between the spectra and the fluro? ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing Andy Smith http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168693-connections.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168665-spot-royal-star-10-day-trip-11-28-a.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:49:57 GMT A friend just broke three ribs on his dirt bike. He cannot sleep unless he sits up - he is really hurt. He has paid for the entire trip and needs someone to go *(yes you would have to pay... A friend just broke three ribs on his dirt bike. He cannot sleep unless he sits up - he is really hurt.

He has paid for the entire trip and needs someone to go (yes you would have to pay him). The trip is on the Royal Star Let's Talk Hookup Trip - it leaves at 10:00 am Sat. Nov. 28 and returns on 8:00 am Tue. Dec. 8.

email: russung@verizon.net or call Tracy at the Star and mention Russ Ung please ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing mmayo http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168665-spot-royal-star-10-day-trip-11-28-a.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168626-nail-knots.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:12:23 GMT Last year there was a lot of discussion about nail knots over traditional serves. Of those who have used, or use the nail knot now, have you had any failures?

My understanding is that the first knot should be about .25 inches from where the Fluero enters the Spectra and the next knot roughly 1.5 to 2 inches further up the spectra. No glue under the knots. Part 1 of glue over both knots and the space between, let dry and then glue knots and space between. Best material for nail knot is 60# to 80# solid spectra.

Is this about right? Any comments or corrections are appreciated as I plan on using this method this year unless I get negative feedback from those that have used this method.

Thanks in advance. ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing wahoo.ch http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168626-nail-knots.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168507-1st-range-trip-any-suggestions.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:30:51 GMT Hey everyone Im hoping to go on my first long range trip this summer. Im currently looking at 6-8 day trips in June or July? Does anybody have any suggestions as to what boat i should take, or... Hey everyone

Im hoping to go on my first long range trip this summer. Im currently looking at 6-8 day trips in June or July? Does anybody have any suggestions as to what boat i should take, or what I should be looking for when i schedule my trip? I have plenty of experience on 1/2 and 3/4 day boats, and ive been on a few overnighters, but im really looking to go out of San Diego for the larger fish! Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing SpongeBuddyX182 http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168507-1st-range-trip-any-suggestions.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168430-wahoo-bombs-really-work.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:23:59 GMT WMDcustoms.com wahoo bombs (photos below) If you are heading out on a trip that has a shot at wahoo, please pm me to get set up with a custom wahoo bomb pack. These bombs get bit, thats all... WMDcustoms.com wahoo bombs (photos below)

If you are heading out on a trip that has a shot at wahoo, please pm me to get set up with a custom wahoo bomb pack. These bombs get bit, thats all there is to it.

Just got off the Q105 Rusty Hook 15 day trip. We had 83 wahoo on the boat and i was high man on the boat with 9 skins. Im not the greatest wahoo fisherman, i just fish them pretty hard and ive lost enough of them to know how to get em and what works. 5 of the 9 skins i got were on my WMD bombs, while two were on bait and two were on troll. I lost another 10 skins or so including at least 7-8 on the bombs a few where i lost the whole enchilada, it happens.

There were many people on the boat also fishing my bombs, most were gifts and a few were purchased and i believe that just about everyone that fished them got bit on them and most caught skin on them. My favorite was the orange baby tuna in 4oz, with chartreuse blade. Of the gifts my only condition was to get a photo if a fish was caught on my bomb, but i cant seem to get any of those photos sent to me, but hopefully they will make their way to me or in this post, i will hope to post them later.

There were many people on the trips convinced of the bombs and three individuals wanting to take the bombs to production with me and make this a business, guys were very encouraging. I just dont think mass producing them is something i would be interested in. Id rather sell them as custom orders, made to order in the size you prefer and color pattern, and wired or not ,your choice.

I think $15 each is a fair price, while guys on the boat said dont sell yourself short, sell em for $20 because they work. Since im selling them made to order and custom i think its fair. Also, if they work and produce, which they do, then they are priceless. At $15 each i will rig them with a 90# wire leader and a 150# barrel swivel. If you want to wire them yourself then we can work that out. Im just a dude, i build custom rods and lures, and im open to possible discounts on large quantities, but im not interested in haggling. These bombs are all hand painted by me, not mass produced, and not by laborers but all with my own hands. Every color you see in the paint job requires dry time and they are flex coated so there is a ton of labor in them. Im not doing this to get rich, its just fun and im a fish nerd and if you want some wahoo bombs that get bit, im wiling to make them, wire them and ship em to you. Please take photos with the fish you catch on them. You will be sorry if you fish them on mono or light wire.

The color options are:

Baby Tuna (silver)
Baby Tuna (orange)
Baby DoDo

also plan to offer Baby tuna with pink belly, and chartreuse belly, lets talk.

Thanks for looking. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
















bruce caught alot of wahoo, many on chrome jigs, which he fished hard and a few on my bombs, cough up the photos Bruce

Chef Chris got a small tuna on the bomb, he did most of his wahoo damage on the bow on surface iron, Chris can really fish.






Richard caught alot of wahoo including a few on my bombs. So did his buddy Chris, photos, wheres the photos ??


:) WMDcustoms.com :) ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing 1:11 http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168430-wahoo-bombs-really-work.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168377-shogun-11-4-14-a.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:40:18 GMT Third time fishing the Shogun and had a great trip. Caught fish 7 out of ten days. Day 1-Travel and rigging day. Early start, out of the harbor by 11. Good calm weather running down hill. ... Third time fishing the Shogun and had a great trip. Caught fish 7 out of ten days.
Day 1-Travel and rigging day. Early start, out of the harbor by 11. Good calm weather running down hill. Heading towards cedros.
Day 2-More travel, rigging and seminar. Heard we would be fishing by 1pm as we would be in the area near cedros. Got to wet our lines on our first sonar blip for a few small yfts and skippies.

Just out side benitos.

Good start to the trip!
Near dark the captain wanted to go anchor up and see if we could find some willing yellows. We would also be in good position to fish more of the yellowfin on the porpoise.

Full speed on the dloop.
Went to bed at 2 after I had enough yellows. No real size but average of 15-18lbs.
Day 3- Chasing porpoise
Started the day still on the anchor after hearing the yellows started biting again. Went up stairs and landed 2 on consecutive yoyo casts then quit fishing for them. Weather was a little rougher today as the wind was up quite a bit.

The fish were cooperating though eventhough it was the wrong kind. The black skipjack were thick. Pulled in over 20 this day trying to get the right kind. Did stick a couple yfts in between all the skippies.

Somebody scooped this guy up and put him in the tank.

Sunset day three.
Alijos rocks was dead, heard the AA landed only 2 fish for their day so the captain pointed us toward the ridge as other boats had good scores on hoo.
Day 4-On the Ridge.
Began trolling early to try and catch a few wahoo, but the area had already been hit pretty hard by other boat. We did catch about 5 wahoo. And I was lucky enough to get my first. We were anchored up on a high spot catching small tuna and dodos when a few people were getting bit off. So I grabbed my wire rig and found a small mackeral that was mixed in with the dines and got my first ever.

Not real big, but he will do.

Big trigger from the ridge.
Captain received word that the RP had a good day on the lower banks with fish over 2bills so we pulled anchor and began heading down their direction.
Skipper wanted to try a different bank as the there was going to be 5 boats in the RPs area. That evening we got into our first full speed dodo bite when we found a huge school blowing up on small flyiers. More dodos than one could want. Kept a bunch and continued south.
Day 5- Lower bank.
The captains gamble didnt pan out as the area we were in was dead. Saw a few fish on the machines, but nothing wanted to play. Only a few small dumb dumbs and a couple marlin.

Cool frigate bird. Awesome how they pick up bait.
Captain had enough by 2pm and north we went. Found a floating buoy about 4pm and had our second pass at stupid dorado fishing. This was the most insane bite Ive ever seen. Guys were catching them on bare hooks and fish tags. I debarbed my hook and had a fun time hand picking the fish I wanted.

Galen with his big dodo of the stop.

Anchoring up at the spot.

Scooped up some cool stuff under the lights that night.

Baby Yellow Fin Tuna?
Day 6- Lower bank.
Slow day- 9 tuna 60-245. I didnt catch any except stupid dorado. I think I got 6 this day. Everytime I was picked up I got excited, but every time a dumb bumb would start jumping around swallowing my hooks. Couple more stripers caught today too. Most effective fishing was the double trouble on the kite. No luck for me though.
Day 7 - Lower bank.
Morning started early with a good bite on smaller fish. Captain said we could drop down to lighter line with the smaller fish biting. Caught 2 fish real quick to about 30 lbs. 2 big fish were hooked with one guy almost spooled, so I moved back to my 100 lb outfit. Bite slowed way down again and it was tough fishing. Kite wasnt as good today, but still worked . Just not for me.

My dad got a nice fish on bait.
It was getting late in the day and my frustration level was rising while watching many people around me hook bigger fish. Knowing this would be our last day here in cowtown I dropped down to 60lb fluoro. Everyone knows this is a big no-no while fishing big fish, but I needed a bit. Quite a few fish were landed no bigger than 135 this day so I went for it. I think It was my second bait with the light rig as I had a good swimmer, the dine ran down and out off the starboard corner and was immediatly inhaled. FIsh kinda made a thump on the line and ran down, then bolted towards the horizon. Reel had 550 yards of spectra and the fish took 540 with the drag pushed all the way to full, I had a backup attached to the reel with a snap swivel, but didnt need it. Fish turned and began swimming back towards the boat and I gained back about 200 yards. About 20-30 minutes in the fish was sitting out off the bow as he started to run again and the spectra separated about 100 yards from the fish? Oh well, at least I hooked a biggun. Friends dont let freinds fish 60 for cow fish!:deadhorse


Galen was having a drought on the bigger fish too, and caught a decent sizer!

Grabbed my 100lb outfit and got picked up again.

Wasnt a monster, but my biggest for the trip.
Moved out that night and headed for the ridge again.
Day 8-Rigde
More of the same, tons of small footballs. A few hoos and yellows.


Galens first HOO!:food-smiley-014:
Day 9 last day of fishing south of cedros.
Started the morning on a full speed Yellow Fin Tuna,yellow bite. As many fish as you wanted. Bait on the surface for tuna, or yoyo/dloop for yellows.



Thats a rap.
I love fishing the Shogun, great food, good service. Cant wait to get back out.
G:food-smiley-014: ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing yft1979 http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168377-shogun-11-4-14-a.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168353-what-should-i-get-my-next-reel.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:27:32 GMT O.K. guys, here is my first post and first question. I have been reading a lot lately and think you guys are the people to ask. I have been given a head's up that for Christmas I am going to be getting a new reel and rod. So what should I get? First off, I am pretty sure I want a two speed reel, but I might be wrong. I am prett sure I want it on a longer (7') stick so it can cast well, but still stong enough for the bigger fish (say 40-80lbs). I know it depends on what I have and what I plan on fishing for and where I plan on fishing and...

Well I took my first 5 day trip this past summer, to Guadalupe, and had the below gear for my mother and myself. Had the trip of my life thus far. Yes my mom loves fishing and we usually go once a year. Anyways, I think if we had a more appropriate two speed, we (mostly her) could have really hooked up a lot and landed a lot more fish. This was clear as some guys with appropriate two speeds hooked and caught two 50lbs tuna, while I was still struggling to catch hook and catch one. The light reels would hook, but would not be adequate to bring in 50lb tuna efficiently. The big reels would take for every to feed a bait out and hook, but could bring the fish in easily.

So I am thinking I would like a two speed reel, that can cast really easily and a far distance (not bulky) and that allows the bait to swim very easily with a rod that matches well. Hopefully they are not the most expensive rod and reel out there, but something that will last a long time and has good service. I am thinking Avet as they seemed to do well, but there are so many, and I am not exactly sure what the gear ratio benefits are and so many more questions. Maybe Trinidads?

So I have gathered a listing of my current gear. This has been accumilated over time, mostly on 3/4 day and over night trips, but did surprisingly well in Guadalupe and is more than appropriate for the many shorter trips we have taken.

1) Shimano Calcutta 400B reel (I usually do 20lb mono)- Calstar GFGR-800XL-C 10-25lb Graphiter, 8' cork handle. Does well on lighter tuna and other smaller fish (20lb).

2) Daiwa Seaine SG30H reel (25lb Mono) - Shakespeare Ugly Stick Tiger, BWC 2200, 7', Action ML, 12-30lb Sigma). Did well on lighter tuna, got beat up on bigger. Good hook up percentage. 30lbs fish max.

3) Daiwa Sealine SG30H reel (30lb Mono)- Penn Power Stick (All Black) (FPS-D22?) No line rating, but about 12-30lb, 7'. Did well on lighter tuna, got beat up on bigger. Good hook up percentage. 35lb fish max.

4) Penn Jigmaster Highspeed reel, with Tiburon frame and extra spool. One spool has 60lb spectra backing and 50lb mono top shot, while other spool is either 30 or 40 lb mono. Seastalker SS870-7 (7'), 20-40lb Medium Live Bait. Decent hook ups and ok in bringing in. Really a jig setup, but was using as a bait set up. Dosn't really work for jigs, seems kinda slow now. 40-50lbs fish max.

5) Penn 114H Special 6/0 Senator (80 lb spectra 50/60lb mono) reel - Daiwa Sealine (Boat Performance Graphite Comp, Basic 5',6" rod with rollers) 40-100lb rated. Was the main trolling set up. Occacionally did a dropper loop set up for yellows. Seems to loose some fish in reeling in off of troll caught fish. Maybe just my technique?

6) Shimano TLD-20 (2-Speed)(80lb spectra 60-80lb mono) reel - Outter Banks Outfitters Battle Wagon Custom (BWC3080S) 6', 30-80lb. Got just for this trip, was told I needed a two speed. Tried bait casting, which was pretty redicoulous. Mostly used as dropper loop set up. Not sure how to fish this reel any other way. Pretty hard to cast a sardine on a 6' rod, goes like two feet away from the boat.

So that's my simple question. What reel and rod would you suggest to compliment my current setups and anticipated return to Guadalupe next summer? I have what I have, and hopefully can add on more and better in the future.

Thanks for your time, research, feedback and help.

-A new long range fisherman and his fishing mother. ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing Stevero http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168353-what-should-i-get-my-next-reel.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168321-pick-your-top-shot.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:37:53 GMT I read a journal on Charkbait about differences in Fluorocarbon. Although, the sample size & number of manufacturers were small there was a statistical outcome showing Seaguar on top. I've always used Toray in the past, but may change to Seaguar after these findings. Hopefully with more manufacturing competition in the mix the price of Fluorocarbon will go down someday. 1-3 bucks for a yard of Flurocarbon is nuts! I can rememeber buying 1/4-1/2lb spools of Ande or Maxima mono for few bucks was adequate, but now I find myself in this new flurocarbon dilemma.

With all of us that have X-over using shorter topshots, it seems that 25yd bracelets are common and create a great marketing scheme for manufacturers to catch fishermen with very little product to produce. I'll admit that I have had great success using Flurocarbon, but I also had phenomenal days fishing Mono when Fluro was not around.....

What Fluoro manufacturer do you use and Why? ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing rjgoal http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168321-pick-your-top-shot.html http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168231-were-running-out-room.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:11:16 GMT Looking at the recent post on the new tackle box, I was thinking back on my last trip, an October 8 day on Shogun. Look around the deck and you'll see so much tackle being kept available that it's getting out of hand. More and larger boxes and bags holding untold amounts of gear. I noticed some pics on that other post about how some guys are dealing with the overcrowding by builidng pedestals for their boxes to get them up off the deck. In my opinion, we're going in the wrong direction with that program. My comment to the captain last time out was that if they remodeled the boat to increase tackle box/bag storage, they would just build bigger boxes!

I use a full size Mark Pack Hippo Ranger, and it holds everything I need for a day's fishing, whether it be a 3 day trip or a 15 day trip. Having the ability to swap out a tray of tuna trolling feathers, hooks and swivels for trolling on Spring/Summer trips for a tray of Wahoo jigs and bombs is a nice feature. One tray of hooks and weights, one full of Yellowtail iron, and one with rigging supplies and I'm good to go. Side pockets hold one pound spools of 40 and 50 lb mono, all the pre-made wind-ons I could possibly use in a single day, some longer trolling jigs like bigger Zukers and a Marauder. I even have a spot for a small spray can of Corrosion-X. The top compartment is a convenient spot to temporarliy put "stuff" like a jig that gets cut off to be replaced with the one you're changing it out for, a hook that gets cut off, sunglasses, camera, etc. It's also where my pliers, dikes and screwdrivers live throught out the trip.

Best thing about a bag like these is that it will fit on the rack on the back of the house and does not need to be on a tackle island or worse, on the deck for access to the top compartment.

I guess my rant here is for us all to be a little more mindful of how limited the space is that's afforded to us for storage of our tackle that we need for that day's fishing. I see so much crap taking up so much room, like I said it's getting out of control. A guy will put not only his primary tackle bag/box on the tackle shelf, but then starts loading up the space with one or two jig bags, another whole box full of rigging supllies, etc. and worst of all the guy who feels like he needs a prime spot for his reel case. Let's all agree, reel cases are for getting the reels to the boat and off again. When all the outfits are rigged up, the reel cases belong downstairs in your stateroom.

When we don't police ourselves, somebody else has to do it for us. What a pain in the ass it must be for a crew member to hear it from one of the guys that he has no place for his tackle box other than in the middle of the deck! Then, the crew becomes the enforcers and have to go over all the available spots and spaces to find the offending bags, then locate the owners and make the arrangements on how to share all the space appropriately.

OK, rant over; for putting up with me.;) ]]> San Diego Long Range Fishing Steve K http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/san-diego-range-fishing/168231-were-running-out-room.html