?Albacore gear?

I have fished for halibut but I am a newcomer to albacore. I have a Penn 114 Senator and a Penn 349 (this is not a 49L but looks like one, it has the same drag as a 113 Senator and is a stronger reel). Are these usable for albacore?

If I use these reels I have to put some line on them. I was convinced by posts here to go with 80-85 lb test line, I liked 50 lb for Alaska butts.

Where can I get large amounts of 80-85 lb test Power Power or Tough Line at a fair price?

Is a 114 Senator reel too big for albacore?

What is the best gear ratio for an albacore reel?

What is the best line capacity for an albacore reel?

What is the requirements for an albacore rod?

Thanks

[tailchaser]

Man, so many questions so little time. But here goes.

First of all, good halibut gear will do just fine for tuna. Out of all the things you mentioned the most important is getting used to your drag on the reel. Where a tuna is lost is when it strikes the jig. They slam it so hard it'll double over a halibut rod similar to an oversize sturgeon. 50 lb tuf line will do just fine for all of them. Set your drag so it is pulable by hand pretty easily. When the fish hits he'll take line like a banshee, but when you get the rod in your hand you can up the drag from there. My advice is to stick with some good gear that's interchangable for both halibut and tuna. Any stiff rod will do, but I like to run with the Penn 330's loaded with 50 lb. tuf line. Haven't had a single one break yet or be too much for us. As far as line capacity a fish will strip 60-70 yards quickly, however when you start putting the drag to him and direct the boat he shouldn't go much more than that. If you need a complete breakdown of gear I can help you out on what we run with just drop me a line.

tc

[Mark Mc]

Hi Keta, I would agree with Tailchaser's point about drag setting. I would add to that the old "it depends" (on how the boat will fish). For example, you might be trolling at 4 knots, or at 8 knots.

For trolling, there are two basic strategies: (1) being "sporting" while fighting the fish (= "lighter" gear, slow / stop the boat after each hookup), or (2) holdem / grind 'em in right away (heavier gear).

#2 is intended to get the fish to the boat right away, so as to bring the school with it & throw light jigs or live bait, or simply to keep fast trolling to get multiple hookups. For this "heavy gear you're talking anything from a 6/0 with 80 lb, to a 9/0 or 10/0 and 150 lb (or handlines tied to the boat). Rod is a broomstick or close to it.

For #1, you can go with 40 to 60 lb line (and mono is preferred to spectra for the shock-absorbing stretch), on as small as a 4/0 or your
349 / 49. Part of it is good drag, and part line capacity. You could go with a 3/0 and use spectra backing with a mono "topshot." I like to use a 4/0 loaded with 40 or 50 lb mono, on a fast taper jig stick (soft tip but huge back bone).

So if your rods are not broomsticks, but rather have a little tenderness in the tip (like a 9/64 to 14/64 tip), and you want to do double duty, you could put on 50 to 80 lb spectra for halibut, then just add 100 - 150 yards of 40 or 50 lb mono for tuna. BTW even folks who fish only tuna / yellowtail down south do the mono + spectra thing; just be sure you use correct knots for the connection.

Good luck,

Mark Mc

[tady]

Keta:

The rig you are describing will do fine for the trolling portion of your albacore trip. If you want some real excitement, Take a 25 lb test rig with you as well. A Penn 500 reel matched up with a 6'6" 20lb-40lb rod. Tie on a "Sassy Shad" type lure on the rig, I like to use lures made by Fish Trap Lures www.fishtraplures.com with a 1 1/2 - 2 oz lead head.

When you get a jig strike on the troll, cast out the Fishtrap lure on the 25lb rig. I would cast it out about 25 yards and let the line out until the lure is in the area were your trolling lures were set. Cut your trolling speed down to about 2-3 Knots, thumb the spool and let the fishtrap lure swim there for about 15 seconds. Then thumb the spool and let the lure move back further about another 30 yards. repeat this tumbing technique about tree times. you should get bit. When you do get ready for some super fun!!!! the Albacore should peel off a good 60 yards of line and then stop. then you can bring it in. Be ready for a few more big runs during the fight. This is my favorite way to catch these fish.

Another tequnique is to use the same rig put a 2oz torpedo sinker on and on the other end put on 3 feet of 30lb flurocarbon leader and a #2 live bait hook. Hook on a frozen sardine or anchovy through the nose and use the same technique that I described above with the Fish trap lure.

I am going to try to get on a chater boat this August and chase some Albacore I can't wait
Good luck on your fishing trip.

Tady

[Pilar]

Hi Keta, not long now before Tuna slaughter part I, 2002.

Maybe 2 or 3 weeks to go.

The two reels I like are the 4/0 or 113h Penn Senator and the Diawa 50h. Both hold 80# tuffline in over 400yds.

We don't stop the boat so it's 2x4 rods for us. The Ugly stick BWB-1120 is inexpensive and handles large fish well. Same rod for Peelers, Flatties and Tuna.

The lightline methods are intriguing to say the least. I have renewed my subscription to 'Marlin' and am looking forward to getting some more east coast methods from there.

We really want to try live bait fishing this year. It is possible to load up on herring at Yaquina and roll out to Tuna Town.

Will Albacore hit live herring? What is the rig like? Circle hooks? Can anyone help me here?

Are there any billfish out there? Swordfish maybe?

Most of the bluewater methods I learned on the stream (Gulfstream) seem to work here. A live bait hooked just behing the top fin is a sure bet cast into feeding tuna there. We used a light wire leader (50#) and a galvanized 7/0 hook with a long shank. The other thing that worked was a dead bait dragged skipping around behind the boat. That would be a ballyhoo, a sort of miniature billfish - baitfish. The bill is on the bottom jaw and they take the place that herring has in our ecology.

Any advice on live bait Albacore?

Thanking you in advance.

[Threemuch]

Live bait on albies...Where exactly are you going to keep live bait on that boat?

It's hard to do from a small boat, you just don't have enough people, or bait, but here goes. You hit a jig strike, or boat line fish and count backwards from 5 waiting for a double. Meanwhile, your bait boy throws four or five baits into the water to chum the school. After the countdown, cut the throttle to an idle. Bait boy throws 3-5 more baits in. One angler begins horsing the jig fish in. More bait goes in the water. The other angler clears gear. Cut the throttle boat. Then the bait rods go out, flylining your bait fish. I like to pin them near the tail, so they don't swim under the boat. The whole time the bait fish are getting tossed, one here, on either side. Herring probably would work, but the warm water might kill them on the way out.

Sound hard? It is. Lots of bait, lots of confusion. But that's generally how it's done by the pros in SoCal. That said, they can be caught on flylined dead bait, cast out "on the slide" which means as you slow down. I would use chovies, as an albie has never seen a herring (water is too warm). And you can chum dead bait too. What we like to do is throw "fishtraps" which are small 1 oz triangle head jigs with a swim bait (think "sassy shad") on the slide, and you can hook up like that.

You can do the same with iron. Salas, Tady, even diamond jigs work.

I have read, but never tried, a method of mooching for albies with dead or live bait, 150-200 feet down where they lurk looking for prey. Supposed to be effective on those bright, calm days when they won't come up for your lures no matter what you do, but you see them on the fishfinder.

Any way you do it, fish off the troll is a kick, because you can really scale down your gear. 17# on a salmon rod is my fishtrap and bait weapon of choice.

[Threemuch]

I may be wrong, but I bet we have longer than a couple weeks to wait. I am pretty sure there hasn't been a longfin caught north of the mexican border this year. At least I can't find a report of one. Lots of fish off Ensanada right now. Prolly late july.

[seasquid]

I use all my halibut gear and do fine --

I also dug up a couple of old Penn 9M reels and loaded them with 50lb mono. I put the reels on a couple old surf rods and place them into my rod holders on the boat motor cover. They are basically sticking up like telephone polls from the middle of my boat, but I can put them pack behind all my other trolling gear -- works absolutely great -- by the end of last year most of my fish were coming on this set up...you would think the tips of the surf rods would just bounce wildly, but that really isn't the case -- they just kind of get this slow bend before the battle starts.

If I see jumpers I send a guy or two up on the bow (cuddy cabin boat) with salmon rods and have them throw jigs, worms, whatever -- this is a blast -- you have to slow the boat down because it takes a while to land them, but what fun.

I think we need to get an I-Fish armada planned for Albacore. My suggestion is Labor Day weekend out of Depoe Bay. Something to think about.

ss

I have a Penn 9, two Penn 10's, and two Penn 210's that I used for salmon in Alaska. So seasquid, you feel that these reels have enough capacity to land albacore? The 10 and 210 have larger drag washers and a higher gear ratio than the 9's and 209's and I like them better. A 210 should be able to hold over 400 yds of 80 lb Power Pro, 320/30 mono. I like the 210 better than my 349 or the 114 Senator and would rather use it if will work.

I am thinking of getting a 600 yd spool of Power Pro and filing my reel with 80 lb dacron backing. Any problems with doing this?

[seasquid]

Keta,

I think you would be fine. I have never been spooled, and I caught one last year on a purple worm with my steelhead rod. You just have to be prepared to reel a little more, depending on your gear ratio. The line you have selected is what I use on all my other rods. Make sure you have plenty of fuel and it looks like you're ready to go.

I have to warn you though, do you really want to venture into this fishery? You'll be out there on a flat ocean, false killer whale porpoises zipping around under the boat, Pilot Whales spouting, sitting there in your shorts and t-shirt putting on sun screen, eating a home canned tuna sandwich, and filling your box up with little torpedos. As I have told other people who have gone with me, you will have a whole different opinion about halibut and salmon fishing after you experience this day. Tuna fishing can really spoil you.

good luck --

ss

[Marty]

Tuna....Tuna ......Tuna

They are closer than anyone might think, but until someone goes out and looks, we will never know. But then again it is such a long season.

We generally troll 4 jigs, with 2 in tight and 2 further back. Then we have one yozuri K-90 diver that is our meat line attached to a double rubber snubber. Then we troll what we call a stinger, and that is a fish trap about 100 to 150 feet back, right down the middle. I generally fish this with my calcutta 400 and a lamiglass salmon rod with 20 or 25 lb. test. I have been spooled only once. Sometimes (1 out of 10 fish) will swallow the fish trap and will eventually break you off. Last year on our first trip of the season (July 14) the single fish trap lure caught 14 of our 18 fish. Usually in the begining of the season albies are feeding on small anchovies and sauries and thus they really like the traps. Don't forget to try yozuris or rapalas, as they really do well at times. I don't like them because of all the treple hooks, but they catch fish very well. The yozuris troll a little better than the rapalas.

Don't be afraid to try smaller gear as the tuna for the most part are under 25 lbs. I agree with the above posts that the best of the best fishing is sight casting to breaking or puddling tuna with lures,fish traps, cast masters, Point Wilson Darts, crocodiles, etc. When they are really on the feed, I think you could throw a trash can lid with hooks on it and catch fish.

Be sure to bleed your tuna ASP, and ice if you can, as it will really make a big difference in taste.

O-K.......who among you wants to get some fish traps????? I am the unofficial NW rep for them and even though some of the big stores won't carry them until there is a demand, I think I can still get some for you guys. I will talk to Barry and see how he wants to handle it and report back to you. You can order some thru the Newport Englund Marine and they also have a chart of all the colors. You can also look at the fish trap web site. Be aware that you will go thru a number of traps each trip, as they are usually only good for 1 to 3 fish. I take the torn up ones home and glue em back together. I will be back in touch with a post if their is interest in getting some traps and after I talk to Barry.

Marty

[Threemuch]

I haven't seen any of the day boats report back with fish. I think the boats that are getting them are overnight, two and three dayers and they are running to Mexico.
KB

[Marty]

The local San Diego boats are crushing the albies. Not just the sportfishers but the day boats and the local boats. The 43 spot, the 390 and the 371 are all holding fish and many of the boats are limiting. AllCoast has been reporting tuna for weeks now. Fish are on the smallish side, but a few 30 lb. have been landed. If you check out batsford website out of the Frisco area you will learn that they also have been catching a few. One boat got 9 last week, but it has been too rough for the local guys to head back out. Within a week and weather permitting I bet that someone will venture out a little bit and start posting some results for our area. There is a nice band of warmer water 58.5 degrees that meets some 56.5 about 25 miles off Tillamook area that I think is holding some fish. I only wish I could run out and look.

It won't be long..................

Marty

[tailchaser]

I had 58.9 degrees off of Cape Blanco this weekend at around 18 miles offshore when we were halibut fishing.

tc

[Threemuch]

Marty,
The fact that the reports say "limits" screams mexico, because there is no limit on albies in CA. Mexico, you can keep 5 a day. Unless they changed it.

I have my doubts about the SF area too, since that's my old stomping grounds, and I have many buddies there, none of whom know of a recreational angler bringing in an albie yet. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, but I am skeptical. Bat loves the hype. If you look on the discussion board, some guy is reporting 9 albies from a friend of a friend 64 miles southwest of Morro Bay. Not enough detail for me to buy it.

Here are the 6-23 San Diego scores. Nothing to write home about:

SEAFORTH SPORTFISHING, MISSION BAY SAN DIEGO, 6/23/02

Endeavor, overnight, 18 anglers, 41 albacore.

Legend, overnight, 35 anglers, 23 albacore, 10 yellowtail.

Orion, overnight, 16 anglers, 31 albacore.

Outer Limits, overnight, 21 anglers, 20 albacore.

Pacific Voyager, 16 anglers, 31 albacore.

Voyager, overnight, 16 anglers, 30 albacore, 3 yellowtail.

H & M LANDING, SAN DIEGO, CA. 6/23/02

Champ, 2 day, 31 anglers, 146 albacore, 2 yellowtail.

Producer, overnight, 30 anglers, 31 albacore, 2 yellowtail.

First String, overnight, 35 anglers, 33 albacore, 3 bonito.

Charger, overnight charter, 16 anglers, 32 albacore, 4 yellowtail.

Daiwa Pacific, overnight, 20 anglers, 22 albacore, 2 yellowtail.

Ranger 85, overnight, 31 anglers, 17 albacore, 4 bonito.

Sea Adventure, 2 day, 25 anglers, 90 albacore, 2 yellowtail, 20 bonito.

FISHERMANS LANDING, SAN DIEGO CA., 6/23/02

Apollo, overnight charter, 30 anglers, 27 albacore, 15 yellowtail.

Baja Dream, long range charter, 5 anglers, 17 albacore, 3 bonito.

Condor, overnight, 22 anglers, 44 albacore, 3 yellowtail.

Conquest, overnight charter, 18 anglers, 32 albacore, 3 yellowtail.

Pacific Queen, 3 day, 17 anglers, 195 albacore.

Pegasus, overnight charter, 18 anglers, 40 albacore.

Prowler, overnight, 30 anglers, 31 albacore.

Relentless, 2 day charter, 16 anglers, 82 albacore.

Tracer, 2 day charter, 12 anglers, 120 albacore, 1 yellowtail.

Pacific Quest, 2 day, 5 anglers, 50 albacore.

POINT LOMA SPORTFISHING, SAN DIEGO CA., 6/23/02.

New Lo-An, overnight, 18 anglers, 27 albacore, 5 yellowtail, 11 bonito.

Holiday, overnight, 18 anglers, 22 albacore, 6 yellowtail.

Grande, overnight, 26 anglers, 90 albacore.

Dominator, overnight, 8 anglers, 40 albacore, 2 yellow tail, 22 bonito.


I hope you guys are right, but if not, we can slaughter some coho and chinook in the meantime.

KB

[Marty]

Kurt, Its funny, that San Diego for years has boasted the best tuna fishing on the west coast and at times they do pretty good. But the good ol' Northwest has WAY more tuna than the Diego area. As long as you can get outside its a very good shot at double digit numbers of albies.

By the way, my son just got back from a San Diego fishing trip and we had fresh albies last night. My old cruisin buddy took him out on his 27 foot sportfisher and they got 18 for 3 guys. Half on the troll and half on live bait and they fished the Butterfly area.

The only thing I really miss about San Diego (besides my youth) is the ocean down there, as it is flat calm for weeks on end.

And Kurt, I agree with you on the coho and chinook slaughter................but I just can't get them tuna off my mind until I get the first successful trip under my boat. I'd love to buddy boat with you for a 'tuna slaughter' when they get closer.!!!

Good fishin to ya

Marty

[Myles]

Slightly off topic "albacore gear" but they're cathing them out of San Diego, maybe as far north as Orange county.

http://BitesOn.com/frbody.html

myles

[Booja 1]

Marty..I don't know about the NW having more albies than the San Diego area but I do know there are a ton more people fishing for em down south....and there's nothing like getting into a screeming wide open bite,,boils all around and every bait bit instantly..live bait fishing,,whatta kick..I read where they have alot of them red crabs again...warm water coming and with that lotsa yellowfin,,bigeye,, dorado and bluefin..I miss dropping over 60 lb a sardine and hold on........I better wake up..I;m dreaming again.............. :smile:

[Pilar]

Hey Kurt, I hate to say 'I
told you so' but here goes.

7/7/02
'Pilar', crew of 2, 300# of ice, 4 hours effort, 36 fish.

'Puffin', crew of 3, 350# of ice, 4 hours effort, 28 fish.

20 to 30 miles out, started at 60 degrees and ended at 64 degrees.

We don't much care about what they do in California ...........

[craigc]

Pilar and guys... with 300 to 350# of ice.. where are you buying your ice ???? The cheapest I've seen is $0.70/pound locally. Is there any place cheaper ? thanks. Craig

[Threemuch]

I don't mind an I told you so.

I am happy for you guys! Hopefully we will have a long season!

[Deepslayer]

I don't know about the rest of them Craig, but I was making ice in buckets, tupperware cpmtaomers and milk jugs in the freezer for a week ahead of time. They keep longer and a scratch awl breaks them up quickly.
,Ed

Try freezing saltwater (23% salt, 77% water by weight). It freezes -6 and takes three or four days to freeze but it lasts longer than fresh water ice.