Tuna and Halibut Set Up

[cougman]

I am getting ready to purchase gear for tuna fishing and was wondering if anyone uses the same rod and reel combo for halibut and for tuna. If so what are you using. I was thinking about several different options for reels, Newell, Avet, Okuma or Shimano (haven't decided on the size or brand yet) and my rod choices are a 50-100# Shimano Trevala or a 40-100# Salt Striker from Cabela's. Would this set up work for both?

[fyshndad]

It will work but check out the Diawa Saltist 40 and you will like the qualty for the price I am sure

[Sea Jypzee]

The 50-100 Shimano Trveala rod is a very nice rod for Tuna, as a TUNA rod. I'm not sure I'd recommend using it for deep water Halibut though. It has plenty of strength, but it is really not all that rigid and can be difficult to really put the pull on a big halibut as flexible as it is. I'd say go with the 200lb class Trevala if you want to use it for both.

My favorite Halibut rod is my Penn PowerStick Plus 30-60. It has the solid backbone, and is light enough on the end to really feel the bottom well.

[fishbait]

My 0.02 worth.

Halibut fishing and Tuna on the troll do not require a high dollar rod. Save some money here and then buy a Calstar or Seeker 270 6 ft and put a small Newell or Avet on it for tossing swimbaits or live bait. Perhaps also an 870 for iron if you get the sickness really bad.

Unless you really interested in harvesting or big numbers and then you should use blue cord, once you catch tuna with methods other than the troll, you wont want to go back to the troll except to locate fish.

Heck, take your fly rod out and really have some fun, eh Jim.

[Tinman]

Stay away from Newell for halibut, they're a casting reel not designed for heavy winching. And add Penn to your list. The 113H is a fine reel for both halibut and tuna trolling, plus they are inexpensive and easy to work on.

[cougman]

Originally Posted by fyshndad

It will work but check out the Diawa Saltist 40 and you will like the qualty for the price I am sure

After looking more at the Diawa Saltist I am thinking about the 50 series. What gear ratio do you use 4.9:1 or 6.1:1? The price seems about right for purchasing several of the same rigs. I am still looking at the rods. I may go with two separate rods, lighter ones for tuna and heavier ones for halibut.

[StickFish]

My cross over rods that I build are Seeker CJBF60HB blanks rated 40-60# and 6' with a fast action. They are live bait jig blanks for SoCal and they work excellent for halibut easily bouncing 48+oz of lead 600-900 feet away - they will definitely handle any Albacore. I put the Avet Pro 30 narrow 2 speed on it and again - plenty of reel. Lots of folks will say too much reel and too much rod for Albacore, not for my elbow and arm. I fish to have fun and not to feel like I got beat up the next day so more reel than I really need works for me - your mileage may vary. (ya BOE I put my grannies hat on - just for you).

On gear ratios I would stay away from really tall gear ratios above 5:1 unless the crank handle is really long. I really like 4:1 on high and 2:1 on low and 4.5:1 for the single speed reels.

Since you live in Woodland - go to Anglers Workshop and have them show you some blanks from Seeker or Calstar with the idea that you will use them for both Tuna and Halibut.

It really comes down to how much you want to spend - nothing wrong with $13 Brute Rods and a decent reel, or a $65 Tiger Stick and a decent reel. Lamiglas makes a decent rod with their Big Fish series, G-Loomis makes a good stick also, so does Rainshadow.

[stream]

Originally Posted by StickFish

- nothing wrong with $13 Brute Rods and a decent reel, or a $65 Tiger Stick and a decent reel. Lamiglas makes a decent rod with their Big Fish series, G-Loomis makes a good stick also, so does Rainshadow.

YA YA YA Thats what i will be fishing with if you don't get my rods done so quit typing and get to work or i will PM hillbilly guy that live down the street and offer him full tank fuel to break your legs