Party boat tuna tackle question

[kyle7683]

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

[2na]

Originally Posted by kyle7683

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]

Originally Posted by kyle7683

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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.

[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 !