1) the flouro is probably still good. Personally I would start the trip with new flouro and take the old stuff just in case.
2)I am a big believer in ringed hooks. I used to use Eagle Claw WM1080G in 2/0 and 3/0...when Owner started making ringed gorilla hooks, well, I switched over. Make sure though that once the fish is on the deck YOU will have to get your designer hook back, the deckhands in a hot bite will not get it back for you. Circle hooks/ J-hooks, it's all in your style of fishing. I know how to set a hook and I like to fish that way so I use J hooks. For flylining albacore I have begun using the Ringed Flyliner hook. It's all personal preference
3) The Megabaits still work well as a cast and retrieve type lure and on the slide...on the slide they outfish everything. There was one year though when Big Hammer tuna sliders outfished the Megabaits but over time, the Megabait won out. I have landed tuna up to 75#'s on Megabaits without any problems from the hooks. Just be wary of pulling too hard or
you will bend the hook.
4) Not familiar with Storm Megabaits...sorry
5) Depending on how fishing is going, in the past we have spent an afternoon at Chester's or Punta Eugenia fishing Yellows and calico bass for a break or in some cases to give the tuna a break. I will drop down to as low as a 25# outfit for yellows and I have an even lighter set-up in case we fish the bass. A 30# is what I use for my albie live bait set-up...the reason for this is because I have hooked into bluefin while dropping baits back on the slide for albacore and I like the little extra security that comes with 30# test. Again it's all in personal preference.
6) In the 15 years I did this trip at this same time you are going, we caught wahoo 3 times and it was only one per trip. Don't hold your breath for wahoo. Zukers, 7Strand, in mex flag, mean joe green, purple/ black ( one friend of mine who does my trip swears by Pink) are all good on the troll, also from Burns Saltwater outfitters are the Six-shooter heads with the above skirt colors work well too. I rig mine with 7982HS 7/0 stnls double hooks, this my personal preference for rigging.
7) Tadys and Salas with the trebles are fine...no need to switch out hooks. Only one time did I ever have a Tady treble bend on me was one year I hooked a 60# Yellow Fin Tuna in the tail...me pulling hard and him pulling the opposite way bent the hook...I did land the fish though!
Tightlines,
mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsumoba  I have some questions if you can help for a June 7-day. I was going through my gear and need to consolidate or clean-up:
1) I have Seaguar Fluorocaron line, 20-60 lb. test that have never been used. I believe it is from a few years ago (2006). It was kept in the spool and not exposed to any light. You think it is still good?
2) Circle or J-Hooks? Ringed hooks? Sizes? for the 7-day. I have a crapload of 94150 hooks. Are these still being used a lot for flyline or are people going to the owners and gamakatsu's?
3) Megabaits in 4.5 oz. sizes. Are these something still effective or are Salas and Tady's the way to go?
4) Storm Megabaits. These are the ones that look like a sardine or chovie or mackerel. Are these any good? Is the hook too thin for this kind of fishing?
5) Bringing bass gear like a 20-30 lb outfit I use for throwing huge swimbaits. I can probably do 30 lb. spectra on a Abu Record CN60 and get 200+ yards OR I can do a Pro Gear CS500 on a Lamiglas Swimbait Special (15-30lb). What would I be able to use this as? My light 30 lb. for flyline, a slide setup with a swimbait?
6) Why not use a 7Strand trolling lures like a 5" Mexican Flag 2.5 oz (no feathers) and put a 7691 J-Hook with a flasher hanging off of it and use this as a wahoo bomb?
7) Tady's and Salas: Should I swap out the trebles with J-hooks? What size, brand, and how? I have some open eye'd stingers but I a afraid of the eye's opening up after crimping when fighting a bigger fish.
Thanks everyone. |
I'll take a shot... 
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