Party boat tuna tackle question

[kyle7683]

Booked my first tuna trip on a NS out of point pleasant for September. Any advice on tackle?

I was leaning towards a Kevin Bogan 7' standup rod but i am lost on the reel.

I have tried to contact the boat with no avail to see if they allow braid on their chunking reels, which, if the case, i would go with an Avet EX30 spooled with braid along with a mono topshot if you experienced guys think that would work

Any other advice/suggestions from you guys?
thanks

[Beer30]

The PB I tuna fish on will allow braid on your chunking rod as long as you have at least 300 yards of mono topshot. I recommend a Shimano TLD50II. They hold enough line if the fish are deep and/ot if they're big

[2na]

I think you're on the right track...Kevin will steer you in the right direction. Personally, I think 7' is the perfect length for a party boat chunking rod. On a party boat, tuna often make runs under the boat and the length of a 7' rod gives you the ability to "follow" the fish under to help to keep your line off the keel and away from the screws.
That Avet reel will actually hold just enough 60lb mono for tuna chunking, approx 270yd. However, to be safe, you'd probably want to go with 100-150yd of 65lb braid backing with 180-200yd of 60lb mono on top (gives you a little more buffer). Nowadays, party boats have come to accept braid, AS BACKING ONLY, on chunking outfits.
Good boats and crews will often "loan" you a jigging outfit to try if you'd like to give jigging a shot. Jigging is more physical and tiring so, you may want to start with chunking but, the experience is definitely worth trying if you get a chance.
Just be cautious...party boat canyon tuna fishing can be VERY addicting!

Shorts

[BCinerie]

6 1/2 -7 foot. Tuna rod , Penn 50t with 80 or 60 lb mono. I have a 4outfits from 50-80 lb Usually the lighter one is for jigging heavier for chunking. I have caught 100's on a 6/0 Penn but the international 2 speed makes it much more enjoyable. It is addicting and 30/40 percent of tuna trips get canceled for weather. Good luck!😀😀

[Grateful Dad]

Maybe a dumb question, but why would you use braid as a backing, or under a 200 yard topshot of mono? Don't you lose all the benefit of the braid(low stretch, etc.)? Plus, it seems like a pretty expensive backing material, since you're probably not going to have 200 yards of line out at a time, no?

[AVA67]

If you get on a decent party boat tuna chunk bite tangles are inevitable. Braided line and big fast fish are just a really bad combination. As far as I know currently all party boats tuna fishing in NJ have Mono only or (200+ yard top shot rules). If you have two fish hooked one with mono and one with braid and the lines touch, the mono fish will be sawed off the vast majority of the time. It is also incredibly dangerous for the mates attempting to untangling the crossed lines. Especially as a new angler to this type of fishing you could / will have the ability to great negatively affect the trip for those fishing around you.

The reason that some people choose to have braided line backing is to increase their line capacity in the event of a large big eye, swordfish, or allison tuna it is amazing how fast 300 yards of line can melt off of your reel. Many prefer to have the ability to fish a smaller lighter reel (30 class) while still having 400+ yards of 80 lb line.

I also think mono has a distinct advantage for chunking tuna. The stretch in the line is a great advantage with the violent head shakes as well as keeping tension on the line as through the belly on the line as fish quickly changes direction or charges the boat.

Your first few tuna trips will be learning experiences. Spool up with 80 pound mono (leaves you a larger margin for error with drag settings and abrasion resistances with tangles and other lines) and enjoy your trip.

[Pennsy Guy]

My reel for 80# last year and now for 60# is the Avet EXW 30 2 speed on a custom "acid wrap" 6'6" carbon fiber rod. I left the 200yd 80# braid & loaded 200 yds of 60# mono as the top shot. I think I had 165 yds 80# mono loaded last year. I only got into the braid once in 4-5 years but biggest fish were only 90-100# YFT's. Just remember to lighten up on the leaders during the day, all the way down to 40# fluorocarbon leaders & don't forget to lighten up on the drag!!! As you gain more experience and confidence you can fish lighter outfits and line. On a good tuna boat, the mates and fellow anglers should work with you giving pointers and general help. Don't be afraid to ask and pay attention to what the "regulars" are doing...(after 20+ years, I'm still picking up tips).
What's been said above by others is good stuff...I'll re-spool mono once or twice during the tuna season if it's been well used(stretched) with tuna. Check your line for nicks, scrapes & other abrasions as you reel in on the retrieve and after a tuna has gone under the boat, line may have scraped the chine, transom or running gear. More than one tuna has been lost to that-unfortunately,I know from personal experience!!!
At any rate have a good trip and we'll be waiting for your report---tight lines...

[Pennsy Guy]

Maybe a dumb question, but why would you use braid as a backing, or under a 200 yard topshot of mono? Don't you lose all the benefit of the braid(low stretch, etc.)? Plus, it seems like a pretty expensive backing material, since you're probably not going to have 200 yards of line out at a time, no?

Grateful dad, all my reels have braid backing---good for 7-8 years manufacturers have told me when used as backing...saves on mono re-spooling with the backing & increases reel line capacity...my 2 cents.....

When I mated on a private boat, I tried to get the boss's son to put on braid backing on 3 Penn Int. 80's and 5 Penn Int. 50's but he wouldn't...the bottom half of the mono on all the reels never left the reel but was stripped every year...tried to tell him they were throwing money & good line away, oh well....

[Walleyed]

Maybe a dumb question, but why would you use braid as a backing, or under a 200 yard topshot of mono? Don't you lose all the benefit of the braid(low stretch, etc.)? Plus, it seems like a pretty expensive backing material, since you're probably not going to have 200 yards of line out at a time, no?

My 80lb reel last year (and this year) is a Avet HXW Raptor 2spd. 100lb Jerry Brown hollowcore with 200 yd of 80lb Momoi Diamond on top. Had a 80lb YFT on that took it out to the braid on three different runs, and that was with 20lbs of scale-tested drag set.

Also, for big fish, you need the stretch to act as a shock absorber for when they decide to run.

And yes, I did get the fish.

[kyle7683]

Ok now I'm stuck between reels, either the avet exw30 or avet hxw30

[2na]

Ok now I'm stuck between reels, either the avet exw30 or avet hxw30

Well...if that's your dilemma, I'd base my choice on the line weight you decide to use. If you decide on 60lb, go with the HXW. It's much lighter(which you WILL notice after holding it for 12hrs). If you choose to fish 80lb, go with the EXW. I have 2 HXWs filled with 60lb Momoi on 7' spiral wrapped rods that I would consider my "go-to" set-ups for chunking.

Shorts

[Walleyed]

Ok now I'm stuck between reels, either the avet exw30 or avet hxw30

Both great reels, either are will give you all the power you need in the canyons. My suggestion is to go to one of our sponsors, hold them both, see which one fits you best.

My assumption is that you mean the hxw Raptor., which is a 80lb class reel. The regular Hxw is more of a 30 lb class reel, as noted by 2na, with a max usable drag in the 15-20 lb at strike.

[captainrich]

The 7 foot pole is to long, 5 1/2 to 6 foot pole is all you want and that is what we use for rental rods and my personnel poles

For the reel - you want 80#, if the fish are small or line shy we can always make the leader lighter - if the fish are big and you only have 60# or you hook a big eye, good luck

[Walleyed]

The 7 foot pole is to long, 5 1/2 to 6 foot pole is all you want and that is what we use for rental rods and my personnel poles

For the reel - you want 80#, if the fish are small or line shy we can always make the leader lighter - if the fish are big and you only have 60# or you hook a big eye, good luck

I'll respectfully disagree. This is party boat tuna, not stand-up in a 6-pack. I use 6-6 & 7' rail rods and use the rail for leverage. A fast action tip that shuts off about 1/3 down the rod lets you put a real hurting on the fish.

I do agree that for his first tuna outfit, he should get a 80 lb setup.

[2na]

Thanks Walleyed...yes, I did mean the HXW Raptor.
And YES...party boat= 7' rod!!! Both to be able to reach over the side and also to be able to reach over and under other anglers as your "running the rail" to follow your fish. THE RAIL IS YOUR FRIEND!!! As Walleyed said...use it for leverage. Part of the reason I like 7" rods is to be able to incorporate a 12" minimum butt grip (most are 14", some 16") into the rod. This long grip can be tucked into your armpit when reaching under the boat OR for leverage when you rest the foregrip on the rail. That said, I also like a 10"-12" foregrip to rest on the rail. Some guys like gimbal butts for use with belts. I, personally, DO NOT. I've found, under load, the gimbal can sometimes be difficult to get out of the belt when the fish makes a run and you need to re-position. I just prefer a large, soft butt cap.
All that said...I think the BEST advise I could give a first timer is to go see Dave at the Reel Seat. Dave's spent his time at the rail of MANY, MANY party boats and his inventory reflects it. Kevin is also a great resource (Bogan=Canyon). Both have knowledge worth reaping.
MAN...now I'm getting excited! Only 3 more months!

Shorts

[Short Cast]

ok your talking high class reels here. If your going to buy 1 reels & buy going to Kevin you are not penny pinching. the Man will build you a 80# death stick if you want it. Put a EXW50W 2 speed on it & you will be set for what ever bites. Fill it with 80# Momoi set the drag at strike to 25# & you set. now some of you guys who like to fish "light tackle" will say that you are going too heavy. Well two years ago I put a 125# & a 150# big eye in the boat both in under an hour & lost a Sword that dumped half the spool before it stopped.
I lost that fish but I put two of the 4 fish caught that trip in the boat. Not bad for a guy who is 70. Buy or make an what they call an outroder they make it
easier to stand at the rail. NOW GO CATCH THE UP.

[Capt Sal]

The PB I tuna fish on will allow braid on your chunking rod as long as you have at least 300 yards of mono topshot. I recommend a Shimano TLD50II. They hold enough line if the fish are deep and/ot if they're big

Most ridiculous thing i hav heard about this so far.Why bother just use mono.

[thecow18]

i use braid backing with 50lb momoi diamond mono topshot...the 50lb breaks at around 80lb....you can fit more line into your spool by using this brand....costs a little more but worth it because now you get to use a smaller reel like a 30w.....I have a 50w as well and it gets pretty heavy....I bring the 50w as a backup but normally use the 30w.....you don't need mono line heavier then this especially if you are only using 40lb to 60lb leader and setting your drag to the recommended setting of 15 to 17lbs at strike for yellowfin.....doesn't make sense to use an extremely heavy main line when your leaders are only 60lbs or less.....if big eyes or swords are biting that night then I will switch over to my 50w with 80lbs monoi main line and use 80lb leader with 20lb drag at strike or slightly more....

also, I agree with the guys above when they say, the rail is your friend. Get a 7 ft rod and use the rail, you will put a hurting on the tuna by using the rail to put pressure on them.....save your back as well....no need for fishing belt.....

setting your drag, the rule of thumb is to set your drag between 20% to 30% of your smallest line. if your mainline if 50lb or 80lb and your leader is 40 lbs......then you need to take the smallest line which is the 40 lb and calculate 40 * .2 = 8lb or 40 *.3 = 12lb, average of about 10lb of drag max 12lbs at strike....if your mainline is only 50lb and its stated braking strength is only 50 and you use a 80lb leader then you need to calculate using the 50 *.2 or 50 * .3 calculation......

I have been using the Okuma Makaira 50w for tuna chunking and it has performed perfectly......I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone the Okuma Makaira reels.....

hope this helps.

[kyle7683]

thanks for all the replies fellas, ended up going with the avet exw30 and matched with a custom bogan rod. Just unsure now on what line to put on? whether it be straight mono or braid with a topshot. The boat im going on requires a 100 yd topshot of mono with braid

[PortlyRedhead]

thanks for all the replies fellas, ended up going with the avet exw30 and matched with a custom bogan rod. Just unsure now on what line to put on? whether it be straight mono or braid with a topshot. The boat im going on requires a 100 yd topshot of mono with braid

Give yourself at least 200 yards of mono so you can sacrifice 25 yards from a tangle or more from a breakoff under the boat, even if you have a backup reel &/or combo. For bigeye fishing, we use 225-250 yard topshots with long rigger baits fished almost to the braid. After a bite, we feel a lot better once the splice is back on the reel.

[rumster]

Just my 2 cents based upon owning 4 Avet reels. Even though the ones I own are not the models you are considering. I have to say that Avet`s for the most part are crap, I wouldn't spend another dime on them. Like most I was attracted to the machine tooled look and that they were made in the USA, but they have a well documented history of the bearings going on them and the company is well aware of it. I have spent hundreds of dollars servicing them over the years.....These reels are not cheap and there are definitely better options for the money.

[Capt Sal]

So if you have 200yds. of mono and you get a tangle your done.Cut it off and respool.Mono with floro leader is all you need.

[Capt. Lou]

50 W with 60# mono is all the reel u should ever need , two speed ? For what ?
If they dump 5 to 600 yds of line ur in trouble , 80's too heavy for SU unless in a cockpit boat ! I never quite bought the 2 spd deal after using several over the years .
Most can't even stand up to a 50 w drag , fish under 150# 30 W with proper rod
Will land 90%! Of fish out their !
Braid backing save ur money !

[BCinerie]

I would agree on the 50 w with 60, but I like having 80lb test depending on fish size and ability to handle the fish especially on a Headboat. I have a couple 2 speeds and have to say really liked them. Especially for the last 50 ft when they get stubborn near the boat. I have a penn 50 tw I purchases in 1986 when the BACARDI was hot and caught a ton on it. Now I use the 50sw as my first choice!!!

BC

[MrAC1980]

Just my 2 cents based upon owning 4 Avet reels. Even though the ones I own are not the models you are considering. I have to say that Avet`s for the most part are crap, I wouldn't spend another dime on them. Like most I was attracted to the machine tooled look and that they were made in the USA, but they have a well documented history of the bearings going on them and the company is well aware of it. I have spent hundreds of dollars servicing them over the years.....These reels are not cheap and there are definitely better options for the money.

Sell them to me! :p:p:p
The smaller SX/MX (which I'm assuming your ref to) are completely different animals then the larger HX/EX stuff. Their offshore lineup has been time tested and is right up there with Penn Internationals, Shimano Tiagra's, etc.

[kyle7683]

So are you guys saying braid with a top shot or just plain mono

[Walleyed]

So are you guys saying braid with a top shot or just plain mono

I run braid with a 200 yd topshot, other's run straight mono. Personally, I like the braid, that way should I hook into the big sword or bigeye, I have the capacity that will give me a shot at landing it.

Part of the decision will come from your wallet. Hollowcore braid is not cheap, but can last you 7-10 years, depending how much fishing you do.

[rumster]

Sell them to me! :p:p:p
The smaller SX/MX (which I'm assuming your ref to) are completely different animals then the larger HX/EX stuff. Their offshore lineup has been time tested and is right up there with Penn Internationals, Shimano Tiagra's, etc.

sent you a pm

[PeteyHD]

50W with 80# test momoi or higher quality mono with smaller diameter compared to the cheap stuff. No braid period don't waste your money by putting braid on a chunking rod. You can go with 60# if you like but 80# is preferred on a party boat especially WHEN they go under the boat.

We all need to remember that leader selection is key during night vs day and that 80# test will only benefit if a larger fish is hooked i.e. Bigeye or swordfish.

I personally use Daiwa 50W 2 speed spooled with 80# momoi mono and have had much success with this setup. 2 speed came in real handy for swordfish last year still waiting for the bigeye 😉. Save the braid for your jigging rod, the mates and fishermen next to you will appreciate fishing vs untangling braid during a blitz.