Best Tuna Casting Set-Up?

npe1cbs · May-22-2006, 10:13 AM

Can you give me some suggestions on the best reel and rod for casting baits or irons for tuna. Is it best to have a reel "upgraded" to better freespool? What about out of the box? I'm also not sure about line size.

Thanks

**branman** · May-22-2006, 10:30 AM

You will get lots of answers on this one. as far as casting goes I would go with a star drag reel.

Why you ask?

Bait Fishing:
Lever drag reels have most of the drag components in the spool which makes them heavy and hard to get spinning, how long it spins is really not important when it comes to casting it getting the SPOOL STARTED.

Heavy Jigs:
It doesn't matter anyone can cast a heavy jig on any reel<a href="http://www.bloodydecks.com/top100/"><img height="0" width="0" alt="My Topsites List" src="http://www.bloodydecks.com/top100/button.php?u=branman" border="0" /> </a>

fully involved · May-22-2006, 10:36 AM

What size tuna are you talking? There's a world of difference between footballs and cows.

npe1cbs · May-22-2006, 10:47 AM

Footballs.

albacore858 · May-22-2006, 04:12 PM

well for irons get a 90j and a newell 332 or 338 with 40lb

Mamoo · May-22-2006, 09:18 PM

Go with a Calstar Westcoast 270 and an Avet MXL 6.3 and if you have the money 6/3. The reel will fish 30# and will be good for both bait and jigs. The mxls cast great even though they are a lever drag. If you want a nice jig setup get a 90J and a Newell 533. The 533 has the drags of a 4/0 while the 300 size newells only have the drag Penn 500s and will not fish 40# as well.

Saltiga50 · May-23-2006, 06:43 AM

npe1cbs,

Even at that, we're still gonna need more info. Flyline near kept requires 40lb outfits.

All our casting stuff is done on Daiwa reels, which have excellent free spool, & 40lb line.

Personally, and I know I am risking being branded a heretic, I think reel quality is more important than rod length. I have seen some damn impressive casts using 7' rods. Matt & Julio of the RRIII can throw iron & 'dines as far as I've seen using 7' rods.

I would look into the new Daiwa Sealines in a 40 size. This might be all you'll need. And Daiwa reels are built to handle tough work.

Good fishin',

Salty

Dos Locos · May-23-2006, 06:50 AM

Like Banman said, a lot of answers to this one. My small tuna setup is TN16(cal drag plate and carbotex upgrade) on Calstar 800XL. For bigger schoolies, I use a TOR30 also with the upgrade, on a Calstar 970.

fully involved · May-23-2006, 08:13 AM

I don't have just one go-to outfit. It depends on how they are biting and what is biting. If I had to choose just one I would say the TN 16 on a 800L. If they are a bigger grade and biting heavier string then I use the TN40 on a 800M. For just plain fun I like skipping a jig with a TN 16N on a 800 XLH

WreckinBall · May-23-2006, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npe1cbs

Can you give me some suggestions on the best reel and rod for casting baits or irons for tuna.

Buy the best rods and reels you can afford. If you can afford it, buy specific outfits for different purposes and line classes, but always buy what you like. If you can't afford specific setups, buy versatile ones. Like a Penn 4/0 on a 670-8 makes a good outfit for bait or jigs in 30# or 40# and it won't break the bank. It might not be as good a bait setup as a Saltiga on a Graphiter or GUSA (then again, it might), and it's not as good for huckin' iron as a Newell on a Ulua, but it gets the job done both ways, y'know?

Quote:

Originally Posted by npe1cbs

Is it best to have a reel "upgraded" to better freespool?

If you can afford it, do it. Better freespool means your bait will swim better, and that can make a difference in a scratchy bite.

Fishslayer · May-23-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltiga50

Personally, and I know I am risking being branded a heretic, I think reel quality is more important than rod length. I have seen some damn impressive casts using 7' rods. Matt & Julio of the RRIII can throw iron & 'dines as far as I've seen using 7' rods.

Salty

OK... yer a heretic!

Pro LR deckies could probly outhrow me with a beercan & tunacord!

For most of us longer is better, 'specially if the bait is small...

'course... whadda I know? My 40# bait stick right now is an old black 7' Ugly Stick! I would recommend it without reservation.

Fishslayer

Luv2Fish · May-23-2006, 10:55 PM

For bait fishing I am using a Calstar 6470 and a Newell 540-4.6 For the Yo-Yo jig I use a Calstar 610H and a Newell 533-5.5 and finally for the surface iron/skipjig fishing I have G-Loomis SW108-30c (9ft) and a .....you guessed it...Newell 533-5.5

I had my Calstars before they made the Graphiters and I have not felt the need to switch over...As for the Newells...Low maintenance and they can flyline small baits like nobody's business.
JMHO