Texas Fishing Forum

Trolling rod and line

Posted By: Allison1

Trolling rod and line - 06/26/16 01:53 PM

I have a 80 pound rated Penn Tuna Stick.

For those who know the offshore tuna trips, is this good enough to use for trolling for the sailfish we generally get?
I have a Penn 50SW to couple with it.
What would be the best size line for the mainline? I have 120 and 200 JB hollow to choose from.
Posted By: tunatamer

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/26/16 05:34 PM

David ..... I'm no sailfish guru but I'd say that rig is more akin to catching marlin than the sailfish we have here in the gulf.
Posted By: Allison1

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/27/16 03:44 AM

Thank you. Live and learn I guess.
I'll spool up with 120 pound braid and 150 pound top shot and try that.
Posted By: tunatamer

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/27/16 01:32 PM

Let some others chime in here .... don't take my word for it.

But I know these days they catch sails on medium size spinners and "not to big" conventional reels.

Typically the sails here run 30 - 40 lbs. and a real brute will go 60 or so.
Posted By: TOO

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/27/16 03:19 PM

A-1, BJ's advice/comments is sound. I'm not a billfish guy, even less than BJ, but if I can suggest it, if you want to spool the 50 & the 80 rod up, put up to 500 yds of the 120 lb on it as backing then fill it w/80 lb mono. Probably get another 500 yds of the 80 mono.

I'd suggest you really reconsider the 150 mono, that's too stiff a line plus a reason for the 50 is line capacity, and 150 mono will cut that down a lot, but the backing of 120 will give back more line capacity. Biggest issue I see is the 150 line diameter and it's characteristics for trolling especially. You might need the capacity if you hook a big UFSF.

I'll tell you what I'd do if you want to hear it but only if you say so, so only answering your question right now. 120 under and 80 lb topping it off, maybe 120, really think 80. Do a little research elsewhere and see what ratios & line sizes are suggested for the 50.

Originally Posted By: Allison1
Thank you. Live and learn I guess.
I'll spool up with 120 pound braid and 150 pound top shot and try that.

Posted By: lenahorse

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/27/16 04:16 PM

My 50W Trx Avet has JB hollow core 130 with a topshot of 100 mono, never any problem at all.
it is also for sale.
Posted By: Allison1

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/28/16 05:06 AM

I would hear what your recommended setup is Willie. I had planned on putting a little less than half the spool with braid then as much mono as the reel will take.

Keep it coming. I still have not started looking for baits for this yet.

Thats a good price on that AVET. My needs right now are for this one rig which Tiffany and I will share trolling. We still like to cast and jig tuna the most.




Posted By: tunatamer

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/28/16 12:55 PM

Originally Posted By: Allison1
Thank you. Live and learn I guess. I'll spool up with 120 pound braid and 150 pound top shot and try that.


Keep in mind that one of the first "rules of thumb" is not putting a topshot or leader on heavier test than your braid.
Posted By: TOO

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/28/16 04:09 PM

If, iF, IF, IF,this rig is to be used to target sailfish as in original post, and maybe trolling for tuna at the GOM floaters, then my suggestion would be to sell the reel. Even at a small loss. You can buy a good smaller 2speed reel, a bunch of lighter # braid and mono and a bunch of trolling stuff for what you get for the 50, if you have a little patience when selling.

Buy a 25 or more likely a 30 class metal based 2 speed reel. Not a graphite framed reel like the TLD's. Spool with the 120 braid and run 80 lb mono, maybe 100 lb at most.
Avet makes smaller 2speed than the 50 you have, Penn, Shimano, Okuma (don't know how good they'll be), Daiwa, & others all make super solid metal spool & framed 2 speeds in the 30 class size.

My TLD 20 2 speed holds right at 300 80 JB hollow core and about 100 yard topshot of 50#. A 30 sized reel will hold a lot of line, especially with a fair amount of braid under. Personally I'd stick 80-120 braid on a 25/30 class reel and top with 80 topshot at most on that 80 class rod and would willingly pick a fight with anything out in the GOM.

Tangle with a spawning bluefin or 800lb marlin and get spooled? So be it, got whupped but you'd have messed with the .01% of the fish in the GOM the 30 class reel & 80# rod couldn't handle when trolling. (Sharks not included)

That 50 is just over kill if not targeting large marlin; blues in the GOM, Blacks in the Pacific, maybe the 300-400 YFT & the giant bluefins. I think you & Tiff will find the 50 will be real bulky when trolling especially without a chair, and that reel really goes with a 130+ class rod, IMO.

Again, my opinion only, drop down to a 30 class metal reel on that 80# rod, spool it with 80/maybe 100 or 120 lb braid and 80 mono, sell the 50 and you can gunsling with just about anything you come across out in the GOM.

Good luck however you do it.

Originally Posted By: Allison1
I would hear what your recommended setup is Willie. I had planned on putting a little less than half the spool with braid then as much mono as the reel will take.
My needs right now are for this one rig which Tiffany and I will share trolling. We still like to cast and jig tuna the most.




Posted By: Allison1

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/28/16 10:18 PM

Thanks. I have a lot of thinking to do.
Posted By: lite-liner

Re: Trolling rod and line - 06/29/16 08:46 PM

Willie is 100% spot-on.

no need to go "big" for texas sails & tunas.
30 class reels.

Remember, Fred beat that marlin off a headboat on my Avet 30w.......
Posted By: TexasHarleySales

Re: Trolling rod and line - 07/04/16 06:20 PM

Originally Posted By: Allison1
I have a 80 pound rated Penn Tuna Stick.

For those who know the offshore tuna trips, is this good enough to use for trolling for the sailfish we generally get?
I have a Penn 50SW to couple with it.
What would be the best size line for the mainline? I have 120 and 200 JB hollow to choose from.



I'd go with something MUCH smaller and easier (and fun) to fish with. Something like an Okuma Andros 5 or 12. Great little reels. 65# main to a topshot of 50#. Much more versatile of a setup for multiple species.
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