Chunking tuna setup advice

[Kevin Bogan]

The "Hardware" used on offshore rods is a clear indicator of how well they will hold up.
Machined reel seat?
Machined gimbal?
Long enough to help clear the chine?
Plastic parts on seat or gimbal?
Made in China????
You might want to look into a rod that will catch fish and last for years and years.

[Capt. Lou]

Originally Posted by 2na

PARTY BOAT...Use the rail! Reel in low. When the water caries the boat up you're lifting, when the boat sinks into the trough you reel. All the while the rod is loaded with the foregrip on the rail.

I understand , that principle , however the amount of line u would gain in low gear opposed to doing same with standard ratio , to me is wasted effort .

[PortlyRedhead]

Originally Posted by togzilla

Rental rods on the Voyager are not junk. The most important thing in my opinion is using fluoro carbon (various lb. 80-40lb), quality swivel and quality hook. You could have the best rod & reel but that is going to do nothing to give you better odds of getting a bite.

This is excellent advice. Ask the mates on the Voyager what terminal tackle you need before your trip and spend $50-100 at Fisherman's Supply or the Reel Seat to equip your quality rental rod with the sharpest hooks and most invisible flourocarbon to maxmize your tuna catching opportunity.

This is the suggested canyon tuna tackle list from the Voyager's website.

"Tuna Tackle – 50, 60 and 80-lb test fluorocarbon leader material, barrel swivels (provided), 5/0 to 8/0 chunking or circle hooks (6/0 chunking hooks provided), 6 to 8-oz hammer finish diamond jigs, 1 to 8-oz egg sinkers, 8 to 16-oz bank sinkers, rubber bands, Cyalume light sticks (assorted colors)"

[Capt. Debbie]

Would you pay $600 for a VERY limited use set up and then $400 on a boat trip fare you may never take again? Minimize the investment until you see if you'll do it again. At the same time check out the other rods in use on the boat. Talk to them. You'll get your own idea what you like OR NOT.

One thing not mentioned - jigging versus bait. These damn heavy setup rod/reel suck jigging a 16 oz diamond jig. Even a roller tip is a pain in the ass jigging.

And an 8 foot rod gives the fish more leverage not the angler and there's no outboards to go around on a party boat.


Braid versus mono with a top shot of leader or mono? Or straight monofilament that's a natural shock absorber to minimize breaks of tuna runs. Especially the 2nd and 3rd ones after hooked when your arms are already burning.

Also fighting belt gimbals on party boats- USELESS. That works best on a private boat.


SECRET WEAPON... Get yourself some Gamakatsu tuna hooks and make your own set ups in advance. They are line shy so a 30 lb leader will out catch fish while a 60 pounder will get ignored with butterfish or live squid (if they can be gotten). The tuna have great eyesight and if the bait does not look right they will IGNORE YOU
Make a 2 or 3 hook-leader setups in advance with 30, 40 and 60 pound leaders. Use the lightest hook-leader setup that will work. If nothing switch down in leader size if the fish are hitting others on the boat but not you.

Originally Posted by CaptEd

So much to think about. Seems like majority says rental rod. Just was nervous that it would be junk thus making it less enjoyable first experience

[Capt. Debbie]

They want you to come back to their boat. Why would you think they give you junk? So you go elsewhere next time tuna on a PB?

Originally Posted by CaptEd

So much to think about. Seems like majority says rental rod. Just was nervous that it would be junk thus making it less enjoyable first experience

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

Would you pay $600 for a VERY limited use set up and then $400 on a boat trip fare you may never take again? Minimize the investment until you see if you'll do it again. At the same time check out the other rods in use on the boat. Talk to them. You'll get your own idea what you like OR NOT.

One thing not mentioned - jigging versus bait. These damn heavy setup rod/reel suck jigging a 16 oz diamond jig. Even a roller tip is a pain in the ass jigging.

And an 8 foot rod gives the fish more leverage not the angler and there's no outboards to go around on a party boat.


Braid versus mono with a top shot of leader or mono? Or straight monofilament that's a natural shock absorber to minimize breaks of tuna runs. Especially the 2nd and 3rd ones after hooked when your arms are already burning.

Also fighting belt gimbals on party boats- USELESS. That works best on a private boat.


SECRET WEAPON... Get yourself some Gamakatsu tuna hooks and make your own set ups in advance. They are line shy so a 30 lb leader will out catch fish while a 60 pounder will get ignored with butterfish or live squid (if they can be gotten). The tuna have great eyesight and if the bait does not look right they will IGNORE YOU
Make a 2 or 3 hook-leader setups in advance with 30, 40 and 60 pound leaders. Use the lightest hook-leader setup that will work. If nothing switch down in leader size if the fish are hitting others on the boat but not you.

It is true 30 lb floro will get you more bites but on a party boat with 20-30 anglers it is tough unless they are small yellowfin.

[Pennsy Guy]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal

It is true 30 lb floro will get you more bites but on a party boat with 20-30 anglers it is tough unless they are small yellowfin.

Not really, we do it all the time (go light) during the day, if they have lighter leader material--that's 24 anglers--not all go that light; 40# leader is about as light as you'd want to go 'til you gain enough experience...
As Capt. Frank said, they're not giving you a junk outfit---it'd be "one and done". Some PB's(at least one) supplies leaders and eggs for their rentals---within reason, of course....
At any rate, catch 'em up, keep your eyes open watching the "pros", don't be afraid to ask questions...most importantly, have a good time...

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by Pennsy Guy

Not really, we do it all the time (go light) during the day, if they have lighter leader material--that's 24 anglers--not all go that light; 40# leader is about as light as you'd want to go 'til you gain enough experience...
As Capt. Frank said, they're not giving you a junk outfit---it'd be "one and done". Some PB's(at least one) supplies leaders and eggs for their rentals---within reason, of course....
At any rate, catch 'em up, keep your eyes open watching the "pros", don't be afraid to ask questions...most importantly, have a good time...

I ran canyon trips on party boats but that was 20 years ago.Back then we did not allow braid.We did go lighter when the sun came up.There were nights when they hit 100 lb leader and man could you put it to um. Some of the guys on here are too young to have been in on the Bacardi BFT -YFT run in the eighties. No braid no floro no stellas just Ande line and shoe polish.I guess i am dating myself but man was that some fishery and lots of fun.