calstar grafighter tuna rod

[gottaCatchFish]

Thinking about buying a Calstar Grafighter tuna rod to match with a 50w #130 spectra/#100 topshot. I'm leaning toward 6'6" GFTR-765H rather than 5'6" GFTR-755XXH or 6' GFTR-760H. what are pros and cons? Any advise?

[JSR]

760H has caught more tuna than any other rod

[EL CAPITAN]

I purchased a Seeker Black Steel 6 1/4 to go with my Avet 50 at Chark Bait. Though I am a big Calstar fan but I needed something quick for my 10 day trip. If you look at the Aftco Rollers on a Seeker they are bigger than on the Calstar so if your fishing the heavier line that's what I recommand. You can also have the Calstar blank custom made with your choice of rollers, colors just talk to Monty at M&M a good buddy of mine had some rods done by him great work. Hope this info helps

[Keta]

The longer rods will get your line 6"-12" further away from the nasty things on the hull below the waterline.

[titan05]

Originally Posted by JSR

760H has caught more tuna than any other rod

Is this fact, fiction or just your own opinion?

[TurdRoller]

Originally Posted by titan05

Is this fact, fiction or just your own opinion?

i dunno, i'd put my money on the 870...every landing uses em for rent rods...now, as far as big tunas go, i have no clue

[Derf284]

My 2 cents
You should have a rod that fits you where the reel seat is to fast or slow action .
When your on a big fish you will see what I mean .

Good luck

[2nacrzy]

It is amazing to me.. that here is a gent (Mas) that has asked a question, seeking advice from an open forum of experienced anglers. As I see it, Mas has provided 3 options that he would like an answer to fit one of those 3 options..

Yet none of those writing to answer to help have provided an answer with either of the three options he has provided.. and all three of the options he has selected will work out great.

How would al of you feel if you went to McDonnals, asked for a cheeseburger and fries. And the clerk said.. hey, you need chicken nuggets and a salad!!!

WTF. Can't those willing to take the time to read and answer, actually answer Mas' question? Help the guy out folks while listening to him.

Mas... I will try my best.. 1st.. I will assume you are to use the rod and reel to fly line for big tuna. I have been on many long range big tuna trips with a good deal of success so here is my experience to you. Today, the new style of LR big tuna fishing is moving towards the longer rods and has been for a number of years. Yep, it is true though old school is the shorter rods..

The main reason for the longer rods is a lot of anglers and most of the deck hands alike will suggest to you to use the rail once you have hooked the big ones. The newer rods are designed to use the rail and thus here we are today. As Lee has written earlier in this thread, the longer rod also helps get you away from the nasty things such as the hull, rudder, anglers that are using heavy weights near you, etc. that may break or cut your line.

And.. a longer rod under load just looks great!!!!

to that your 6'-6" with a rail wrap is a good choice with the 6' rod a good second.
Ask for the Rail wrap to whomever you are to build your rod. Though these rods are 6 foot and longer, when you put it on the rail. you have a tremendous amount of leverage to put on your fish while saving your back and shoulders.

I use the GFTR 7465H (6.5ft) with a rail wrap which has a rating of i believe 50-135lb. I use this for 100lb to 135lb with excellent results over the years.

The reels - The 50W (Avet or Shimano) is a great reel for 130lb line. The AVet Pro 50w is a great reel with a great price with the Shimano Ti50wlrs more expensive but in my opinion greater balance. I happen to use the Ti30wrls that has been worked over by Cal Sheets. I have 2 of these reels that I use for 100lb and 130lb line. The main reason for the 30WLRS is that it is lighter than the Ti50wrls and after modifications by Cal, 40lb of drag is what I am able to get out of this reel in a reliable state in free spool. Lets face it.. at the end of the day.. or during the fight of the big boys.. few people alive can hang on to more than 40lb of drag for any length of time while standing at the rail. Remember, you are not sitting in a chair with a bunch of your friends hanging on. My 30wlrs has over 500yds of 150lb spectra so the big fish can run to thier hearts content.. The 50w's are great reels so either way.. a win/win in your court.

Now by the numbers, the Tiagra 50wlrs out of the box is designed for 44lbs of drag with the Avet 50w designed at 50lb or drag. The 30wlrs is designed to 34lbs out of the box. The 50wlrs Does not fly line nearly as well as the Avet 50w.. though the Avet 50w does not have the balance of the ti50wlrs. In a fight with a big fish.. balance lets you save energy.. enables you to fight harder.. The 50wlrs is over 30 ounces heavier than the 30wlrs. It doesn't sound like much.. but carry that heavy reel around all day for 4 days or more.. and it starts to make sense. Fly line a 50w for a couple of hours and then a 30wrls.. and you will see what I mean. If you are looking to a Shimano.. get to know the details..a big difference between a Tiagra 50w and a 50Wlrs. The AVet 50w.. a great reels, a little cheaper than the ti50wlrs... There is always the Accurate models and the other guys. But by the numbers, Avet and Shimano have over 80% of the market in this exclusive segment.. Everyone else is grabbing what is left this include Penn, Diawa, Akuma, etc... There must be a reason for Avet and Shimano success.

I have an Avet 50w and a Ti50wlrs to compliment the 30wlrs.. I use these 2 setups for the Kite and chunk only. My primary fly line and backup for 130lb is the ti30wlrs. It is the holding and carrying the reel that is my deciding factor.

I hope this helps.. it is my experience in print over the years....

Good luck and make sure you show us your pics when you return.

[Keta]

Yet none of those writing to answer to help have provided an answer with either of the three options he has provided.

I tried ,

The longer rods will get your line 6"-12" further away from the nasty things on the hull below the waterline.

I don't have the rods mentioned but I do have 51/2' and 61/3' 80lb and 100lb rods and I speak from experience (bad) about the shorter rod and line dammage, ever hear 130lb mono come apart?

I'd strongly suggesting going with the longer of the three choices.

I'm also not a fan of wide reels for most of my fishing but if one can handle the wobble and like them they do the job. My "old" kite reel was a wide reel, 50SW, but now I have a 70 and the 50SW will be for trolling on my boat or as a backup kite reel.

[smidge]

Thanks for the knowledge David.

[Swarthy Dago]

for bait i'm using a 700xh, love it

[REK]

130# spectra w/100# topshot, drop the W. Regular 50, no 50W, no wobble. A lot of big fish has been caught with the 760H but IMO a 7460H or 7465H would be better with 100#.