I need helpfull info before investing in a tuna rig.
I plan to fish my 1st 48hr trip 2/18 and need info on single speed reels and rods used in casting for yf tuna, aj, ect. I was told use Penn555, Avet6.1 which look to small to me. I understand Penn113,114 won't cast well. I have never used a big rig that cast big lures or jigs well.
What should I buy???

I used a shimano torium 20 the last 48 hour trip and battled backlashes the whole time. and lost a fish due to one. The torium will now become an iron jiggin rig, and for casting I am going with a Penn 9500SS spinning reel. Havent picked a rod out yet. But most definatley a spinning rig for less trouble and better casting ability in the wind.
~~ and if I would have checked more- I would have bought the Torium 30 instead of the 20 for bigger line capacity. NOt much larger in size- just a little wider. Still probably try to trade it on ebay for a 30.

What 48hr charter are you going out on? Do you already have a heavy rod/reel setup for when you use bait? If not, that should be your first priority then look at casting gear.

fwiw Ronnie, I dont seem to have too many issues with my torium 20 and casting. just a thought but, It could be that red line you were using that was causing your problems. could save you from buying another setup. I mean you dont have trouble casting to bass with a similar reel (only smaller) do ya? also, with backing my torium held 425 yds of 65lb test Id think that would be more than enough for most texas (topwater) yft. I tried the torium 30 and didnt like the wobble it had because of the extra width but I am similarly paranoid about such capacity isues when dealing with tuna so I can see your thinking.

as to the original posters Q 300+ yds of 65-80lb will likely be sufficent for most if not all tuna you'll find around these parts so unless your shooting for that 1% fish get a decent casting reel that can hold that much line and pull the appropriate drag #'s and not break your bank. but like caster said a good chunkin rod is a must first and besides this time of year there is from what I hear very little action on topwater. but, if it were me id buy either a torium 20 or avet jx 2 spd (wish they were released when I got my torium)
http://www.cabbagekeyrodandreel.com/Page2.html


ok 1 more thing, I just read the posters Q and to me a casting rod/reel and aj dont belong in the same sentence. I seem to remember on the last trip txseadog fighting with an aj on his jig stick seems I remember that looking painfull!!

I don't have a chunking rig yet. Thanks, I need advise on that mostly. I will probably start tuna fishing at least once or twice a year off party boats.
So far I've considered as a cheep option dfw bass pro's penn6/0 rod & reel combo for $140. ??? It was suggested that I could use heavier line w/ an Avet w/backing for AJ's.(changing line not practical to me)2 rigs makes sense. Are the chunking rigs on party boats any good?
Sounds like an avid tuna fishing requires a casting rig and chunking rig.
I have a spot on Deep Sea Headquarters Gulf Eagle 2/18.
In '04 I bought a used 18.5' cc & use old gear I had in the closet from the mid 70's a penn309 and 704 spinfisher for jettie/close rig fishing.
I don't have anything big enough to convince a tuna to give up or even slow down.
I need to upgrade this week!!!

Fishready-

Check your email. Call me and we can get together and go over to bass pro together or look at some things together. We will get you "hooked up."

Pope

Has anyone tried the new Penn 113mn. I hear it cast well and has 26lbs drag out of the box. And the price will not break you.

For casting to tuna.... Penn 9500SS

I have a 9500ss too. All things being equal I can cast that torium 20 just as far.

penn 9500ss sounds nice, what lenth &type rod, #line and backing???

I have a penn704 which holds 250 yds of 15, wonder if that would hold some of the yf w/differ line-(backing and heavier line)?
I use 30# now, no prob. w/medium size bullreds, jacks, kings.

I stated this before;
A jigmaster with 30# on a 20-50 Uglystick
A 4/0 penn with 50# with a decent 50# rod
A 6/0 penn with 80# with a decent 50-80 rod
A Penn 9500 is often better for casting as it doesn't backlash when your excited. I use a Chrowder rod with mine.
Your 4/0 rig is most likely to be used for most of your fishing. We chunk in the Gulf and that is a presentation/waiting game.
A jigmaster is a good reel for iron and a number of lures. Expect to catch more BF on iron than YF.
The standard boat rigs are well used, you can rent better rigs at the office.
The 6/0 penn is a decent amberjack/grouper rig.
If you decide to get into tuna fishing you'll find yourself spending around $500 and up per rig, a $1000 rig is not out of reason if your after a trophy.
The big thing about penns is that they are bullet proof with easy access to parts.

Seeker Black Steel or Calstar is the choice of rods on the West Coast long range tuna trips. Ugly Sticks will do the job on a budget. Sounds like Mr. Pope can get you rigged up locally.

wanna buy all my rigs- I have a ring I need to buy for the future mrs. I have 4 rigs and a bunch of iron jigs, and topwater lures. email me if interested and we can make a deal. All 4 of my rigs will cover the bases. has to go all or none.
~torium 20 on GLoomis(topwater/casting),
~TLD25 on GLoomis (chunking),
~Penn 6/0 HLW on Penn Tuna stick(Amberjack),
~and a backup rig that is a Garcia knockoff of a Penn 4/0 on a 40# cheepie rod.
~bunches of topwaters(smaller and large), ~bunches of iron jigs(assorted weights- 6- 8 oz).

SkeetR-you posted those up on my thread in the Open Discussion a couple months ago. I am looking for a combo or two. I'll send you an email for details. Thanks,

Cameron

Very Interested. How much for this rig?

~TLD25 on GLoomis (chunking),