Long range trip question

[Beefcake]

Let's say hypothetically that I was starting to plan for a long-range trip out of San Diego next winter... What gear should I be stockpiling? What I am looking for are what length / weight rods matched with what size reel and what type of line on each. How many rods do most guys take, and what sizes?

I have plenty of gear for our NW fishing that I could probably mix & match to get started, but I don't know which reels to match to which rods, or which items just won't hold up to the fish I might encounter (in other words, how many bigger reels will I need, and should I be looking for 2-speeds or lever drags or what?). For starters, here is a brief list of stuff I already own:

Rods:
(2) Lami 5610RT 5'6" 50-100# with roller guides
(3) Brute 6' 40-80# with standard guides (guessing at specs; too lazy to look)
(2) UglyStick Tiger 7' 20-50#
(5) Brute 7' 15-50# (guessing once again; I can go look if necessary)

Reels:
(1) Penn 320 lever drag w/ 65# braid
(5) Penn 321's with 65-80# braid
(2) Penn 330's with 80-100# braid
(2) Daiwa SealineX 40HV's with 40# mono
(2) Daiwa Sealine 40HSD ("super drag") with 40# mono
(1) Daiwa SealineX 50HV with 40# mono
(1) Daiwa SealineX 50SHA (high speed 6.2:1) with 40# mono

Line:
I have bulk spools of 40# mono and 65# braid, but am willing to buy other line as necessary and re-spool any of the above. The reels are currently spooled for their primary local uses (sturgeon, halibut, tuna).

So, can I make some useable como's out of what I have, and what else to I need? Do I really need a bunch of $400 Calcuttas, or can I get away with the bigger Daiwa's to save money (like a Sealine 900 for instance)?

I am asking these questions for two reasons. First, I want to keep an eye out for the right gear to try to get good buys over the next several months. Second, I'm thinking of selling a few of the rods listed above (the ugly sticks and the Lami's) along with the Penn 330's, but I don't want to sell something that I will need later. My reason for thinking of selling those rods is that I like to have all of my guests fishing the same rods, and I have decided to go to the cheaper rods like Brutes for my boat rods so that I can afford better quality reels & tackle & safety equipment.

[fishbait]

BC,

PM me with your contact info.

I am about 2-3 months ahead of you gearing up for some long range (10 & 15 day) trips in the next couple of years.

I will share what I have learned and some good resource sources.

Steve

[HOGGEMIN]

BC


Go to a few of the Long Range boats web sites and print out there recommendations. A lot will be the same but there will be a few items here and there that will be different.
There are a few of us that have done a few trips on the Long Range seen. We can answer more of your questions when you narrow what length of trip you want to take.

[Baja Rattler]

If your trip is a 15-17 day one. Here is my Rod and Reel list.

1. Shimano Tiagra 50WLRS...CalStar X46XH.... 125#....Kite
2. Penn 50SW....................CalStar 6455XXH...100#....Bait
3. Penn 50S......................CalStar 6455XXH....100#...Bait
4. Penn 50S......................CalStar 6455XXH.....100#...Bait
5. Penn 50TW 2sp..............CalStar 6460XH.......100#...Troll/BU Bait
6. Penn 30S......................CalStar 760M.........80-100#.....Bait
7. Shimano TLD 20............Ugly Tiger 20-50.......30#...Making bait/BU Wahoo
8. Torium 20....................CalStar 20-50..........30#.........Wahoo

I manage to squeak by with these.
I have been doing the 16-17 day late Nov. trips on the Excel since 1999.
Long Range its a slippery slope for a tackle ho....LOL

Best of luck on your trip
John

[Trex]

Pick a trip that is sponsored buy a reel mafg. for your first one.

Don't buy anything until you've read many, many post on Long range boards. (like 6 months worth)

[northriver1]

Originally Posted by Baja Rattler

If your trip is a 15-17 day one. Here is my Rod and Reel list.

1. Shimano Tiagra 50WLRS...CalStar X46XH.... 125#....Kite
2. Penn 50SW....................CalStar 6455XXH...100#....Bait
3. Penn 50S......................CalStar 6455XXH....100#...Bait
4. Penn 50S......................CalStar 6455XXH.....100#...Bait
5. Penn 50TW 2sp..............CalStar 6460XH.......100#...Troll/BU Bait
6. Penn 30S......................CalStar 760M.........80-100#.....Bait
7. Shimano TLD 20............Ugly Tiger 20-50.......30#...Making bait/BU Wahoo
8. Torium 20....................CalStar 20-50..........30#.........Wahoo

I manage to squeak by with these.
I have been doing the 16-17 day late Nov. trips on the Excel since 1999.
Long Range its a slippery slope for a tackle ho....LOL

Best of luck on your trip
John

five 50's,,, woozier... That is a small fortune.

[okie man]

with the time of year you are thinking its most likely going to be a big fish trip. you could do just fine with a lot less than you think. 2 - 50's, something topless like a avet sds, penn vsx, fill them with 130 hollow and 100' 130# mono. big tuna taken care of. wahoo if you even fish them can be caught with 40-50# gear,avet jx/lx single or 2 speed, penn torque 300, ect. throw in a 30# setup or 2 for making bait and patty hopping for dodo's and you have it covered. rods should be high quality, seeker , calstar , and of the proper line class . most importantly is get used to fishing with big tackle. casting, reeling line evenly under load. if you hook a 300# yellowfin you kinda need to be ready to handle it . the crews on the boats are the best in the world at this game, listen to them and have fun.

[Booja 1]

Originally Posted by Baja Rattler

If your trip is a 15-17 day one. Here is my Rod and Reel list.

1. Shimano Tiagra 50WLRS...CalStar X46XH.... 125#....Kite
2. Penn 50SW....................CalStar 6455XXH...100#....Bait
3. Penn 50S......................CalStar 6455XXH....100#...Bait
4. Penn 50S......................CalStar 6455XXH.....100#...Bait
5. Penn 50TW 2sp..............CalStar 6460XH.......100#...Troll/BU Bait
6. Penn 30S......................CalStar 760M.........80-100#.....Bait
7. Shimano TLD 20............Ugly Tiger 20-50.......30#...Making bait/BU Wahoo
8. Torium 20....................CalStar 20-50..........30#.........Wahoo

I manage to squeak by with these.
I have been doing the 16-17 day late Nov. trips on the Excel since 1999.
Long Range its a slippery slope for a tackle ho....LOL

Best of luck on your trip
John

Sheesh, can't believe Braid n the guys let you on the "big" boat with such a small selection....

[Baja Rattler]

Booja... now thats funny...you should hear the grief I get from "the guys" about my off the rack rods...only the X46XH is custom.