BFT Gear.

NCangler0201 · Nov-05-2008, 12:16 PM

Hey, I am looking to get into Blue Fin Tuna fishing. I need some gear to tackle the job and was wondering what the best outfit would be. I need to keep it to about 600$ per combo though in order to get about 4 rods and reels. I found some good deals on some Shimano TLD 30 combos... they fit in the price range and seemed heavy enough to get the job done... any info????

Smokin' reels!

cksea · Nov-05-2008, 03:07 PM

I think east coast Bluefin will destroy a TLD30. Don't they get up to 1000lbs? Ours our 50lbs on a good day, normally 30lbs.

How big are the Bluefin your targeting?

samgann93 · Nov-05-2008, 04:37 PM

if your fishing for the bluefin up to 80 pounds... get a saltiga with the seeker of your choice. i perfer a 6'6" rod for bigger tuna. the saltigas have awesome drag and i perfer them over anything for bait fishing.

NCangler0201 · Nov-06-2008, 05:50 AM

Haha... I hope I don't snag anything 1000lbs... it would drag my boat!! I am just looking to catch 30-80's... appreciate it samgann... I will look into them.

BakerStBobby2 · Nov-06-2008, 08:52 AM

SAM IS CORRECT! THE SALTIGA IS THE BEST SINGLE SPEED STAR DRAG REEL ON THE MARKET. AND IF YOU WANT MORE STOPPING POWER , SWITCH OUT THE STOCK DRAGS TO SMOOTH DRAG'S CARBONTEX.
IF YOU WANT TO REALLY PUT THE HURT TO THOSE FISH THAT GO UPWARDS OF 80#'S, TRY OUT THE AVET HX. IT'S A 2-SPEED THAT HAS A LOWER GEAR THAT GOES DOWN TO 2-1. AND, IT'S ABOUT THE SAME PRICE AS THE SALTIGA.
THE ROD...GO WITH A SUPER SEEKER. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF SWITCHING ALL MY BAIT STICKS OVER TO THEM.

Spooled up · Nov-06-2008, 03:43 PM

If you are intending to troll for them, like most in that area do, I would advise against a star drag. The TLDs will get the job done for certain if you do not intend to use much more than 50lb line and are targeting tuna under 100lbs. If you really want to get tough reels then I would recommend looking into used equipment such as internationals or tiagras. Most of the damage that you find to these reels is simply cosmetic and they still work very well.

NCangler0201 · Nov-06-2008, 05:00 PM

What about Ebay selling Penn Int. VSX50's for right at 479-500$?? They looked great to me and definitely looked like they had the meat to take the heat. The capacity of 100lb braid was right at 320 yds. That would allow for some larger fish... seemed to be pretty solid to me.

TunaTommy · Nov-06-2008, 06:46 PM

NCAngler,

I'd follow Baker's advice for any fish of upwards of 100lbs, even more. We own 2 Saltiga 50's that we bought for big Yellow Fin Tuna at 'lupe. The biggest I've landed was right at 100lbs, & my Saltiga spooled with straight P-Line Cxxx Blue (No spectra or fluoro) put that baby on board with not a hint of difficulty.

While I think the Saltiga is the best reel in its class, we also own a few new model Baja Specials, and I can't honestly opine that the difference in reels is worth the price. Therefore, if deals are still to be had on the Baja Specials, I'd give one serious consideration. With a Baja Special and a CalStar 700H or Seeker 6470, you'll be all set to go and way under $600. And you'll me more than good to go for big tuna!!!

Good fishin',

TT

Nov-06-2008, 08:00 PM

1

NCangler0201 · Nov-07-2008, 12:35 PM

I appreciate all the info guys... are the Tiagras braid ready?? If so, does anyone know the capacities?

Smokin' reels

Spooled up · Nov-07-2008, 01:42 PM

Yes the Tiagras, Internationals, Avets, Accurates etc etc will all fish braid fine. It really only comes down to their drag power when a reel states whether they are "braid ready" or not. In reality, every reel is braid ready to an extent.

I saw that you posted the capacity of a 50vsx International is 320 yards of 100 braid? That is way way way way off. Maybe 320 yards of 100lb mono. But they could hold close to 1,000 yards of 100lb braid! Best practice is to put on between 400-600 yards of the braid and top shot with mono to fill the spool. For instance 600 yards of 100lb braid and then a hundred yards of 80lb mono.

Like I said before, stick to a lever drag for fishing tuna on the east coast if you intend to troll. I know the saltigas are fine reels, but they have no place in serious trolling for tuna over here. Will they work? Probably. You just can't adjust the drag to exact perameters like you can with a lever drag.

It all comes down to what you want to pay. Look into used Avets, Tiagras, and Internationals in the 30 and 50 sizes. They will all have sufficient capacity. If you have the coin to buy new, then don't hesitate if you find a good deal...

tsuriya · Nov-07-2008, 03:13 PM

30-80#......Avet LX or JX 80LB spectra and 40 or 50# top shot, paired with a Seeker 6470. 40# set-up will be good for over a hundy.