Do I really need a 100lb setup?

[backlashjack]

10 Day trip.... Friends don't let friends fish 80#..... Go with the big stuff and get ready to PULL

[bluelundo]

you need a 100# rig plus a 130# rig...no kidding, wait til you walk on the boat and check out what your fishing-buddies are carrying on

[Wahoosnofish]

Just wondering about this discussion; if you are fishing 100 in open water and the tuna is not running for structure or you are the only guy on ( no other lines to abrade yours) as described because the school has moved on. Have your ever actually tried to break 100lb with your rod and reel, do you know how hard you can pull? Short of the fish wearing thru the leader....

[tunachris]

The bigger models take time to land. Most guys are not going to pull on 100 or 130 anymore than they can on 80. The biggest problem is when the tuna starts to circle deep. The more time you are on a fish the greater the chance the gill rakers will wear down the line. Plus if you can crank up the drag at deep color, the heavier line will allow you to put 40+ pounds of drag on the reel at the end game.

I wouldn't try to tackle the cows with less than 130 spectra with a 130 or 150 wind on, the shorter the better barring rough seas.

[csmunmun]

Thanks for all the input guys. I appreciate all your experiance and knowledge. I'm going to take your word for it and try not be the asshole on my first 10 dayer. We got locked in for the American Angler penn trip, and they are setting aside a couple of the Heavy sticks for us. I want to try before I buy anyway since I can't decide which of the 50s I want so hopefully we get plenty chance to use them. 45 Days, not that I'm counting.

[Steve K]

"We got locked in for the American Angler penn trip, and they are setting aside a couple of the Heavy sticks for us."

Chris, excellent choices on the boat, the trip and the use of their loaner gear. If they are the same ones I reserved for myself on a trip with them, it will be an Avet 50W on a Calstar 6465XXH. All their loaner gear is in great shape. Good luck on that trip, we'll be keeping an eye on you.

Are you all fixed up on 50 lb gear? I would have at least three 50 lb outfits, all backed with 80 lb spectra for that trip. A 20 or 30 sized two speed reel on a nice 6'5" - 7' tuna stick for flylining Sardines for those better grade Yellowfin, and a couple of outfits for fishing the Wahoo with jigs and bombs.

I use a TLD20II on a Seeker CJBF65H. I did some mods to the reel, adding a topless Tib frame and a T-Bar Lite handle. I dig killing fish on this outfit. My other outfits for the skinnies are Trinidad 50 and Baja Special reels. and Seeker rods; E-Glass 6465H and Black Steel CJBF70H. So, something like that. Those same outfits you use for Wahoo can be used for fishing the yoyo iron for Yellowtail.

[Iron thrower]

The question is,"Why woulden't you take one" ??? And as far as you stating it woulden't bother you because you would release it anyway, the chances are you woulden't be able to bring it in with a much liter outfit. I know WahooDad uses a 30 and does just fine, but that man has Experience at killing cow's. Your going to spend like 4K total for a trip, be prepared an rent from the boat or get one or two from your buddy's.

Ray

[Steve K]

Originally Posted by Wahoosnofish

Just wondering about this discussion; if you are fishing 100 in open water and the tuna is not running for structure or you are the only guy on ( no other lines to abrade yours) as described because the school has moved on. Have your ever actually tried to break 100lb with your rod and reel, do you know how hard you can pull? Short of the fish wearing thru the leader....

Yes, I did break some 100 lb. Happened to be about a 20-25' wind-on of Seaguar Fluorocarbon. We were fishing the last day of the trip and had all done pretty well. I decided to "drop down" and fish "ultralight." There were some smaller fish around but some bruisers, too. I racked up the 2 x 4 with the SDS50 and the 130 lb and grabbed a Penn 30S on a 6463XXH rod. Well, I hung a fatty and it just flat took off. I put the rod straight up and put a bend in it to try to slow the fish. Not working as this one was on a rampage. I watched the spool getting dumped and quickly decided I wanted no part of trying to get this fish in a prolonged battle, maybe two hours and who knows how many backups and possibly a skiff ride. Line rubbing across the fish's mouth and getting cut off, hook wearing a hole and pulling out and who knows what else might have happened. I could just see myself an hour or two into the fight and losing the fish.

I just pushed the drag to full and the line quickly broke, right at the hook. The reel was loaded with 500 yards of 80 lb hollow spliced onto about 150 yards of 130 lb, so for those of you who think that lighter spectra and heavier topshots will break at the spectra, not a problem. It still took me around five minutes just to put the line back on the reel. Probably about 450 yards total in the water. Imagine how long it would have taken to get the fish in.

I then racked up the 100 lb outfit and went back to the heavier gear.

[prolinegd]

Just buy some new toys. It never hurts to have it waiting.

[Calico Blast]

Keep this stuff coming! I have a 6 day on the First String in late October. Too short to make to the rocks, but might need 1 more rig.