Newbie tuna gear?

[Tortuga]

Can one of you veteran tuna fishers give me an idea what to start with for gear? Someone had mentioned chark bait on a post awhile back so I checked it out, but I know nothing about prefered sizes, colors, styles and rigging. I'm hoping to learn a little on trip later in August on the Blitz, but would like to start putting some gear on the boat for that just in case opprotunity? Thanks in advance for any info

[WildHawg]

An oversize sturgeon rod doubles as a good halibut/tuna rod. Reel capcity is important, as is drag quality. These fish are burners!
I have one rod with 50# spiderwire, and one with 60# big game. Both catch fish.
Hope this helps. The rod is the cheap part. Invest in a good reel! You won't be sorry.

[TWB]

Pretender,

I'm sure that you will get a lot of replies on this one, and with fishing tackle, everyone has their favorite lures and colors.

First, go to Englund Marine, Newport or Astoria. They have all that you will ever need. They supply the commercial fleet, and they love a new guy. You can shop the catalogs latter for the exotic stuff. Also, Englunds will no what the hot lure for this year is!!!
It sounds like you just want a little tackle on hand and are not supplying a whole boat. So...here are my absolutely ,would not leave the dock without it, if I had only one lure to choose, suggestions for you.

Sevenstrand Tuna Clones...My personal favorite
color is Zucchini, followed by Mexican Flag.

Zukers...broomtails...one in fluorescent pink with green tails, one in chartreuse with white and yellow tails, and one in purple with black tails.

Rapala Magnum CD-14 (smaller or larger will work just fine) Take your pick on colors, blue and silver, black and silver, these fish go really fast, there not too fussy.

Fish Traps..or some type of sassy shad swim bait about 4" or 5". Lead head 1/2 to 1oz. Not too important. Colors similar to Rapalas, I have died sassy shad bodies with good success, just so it looks somewhat like a bait fish.

Stainless tuna double hooks for the jigs.

One pack of mono 100, 150, or 200lb test. Lighter for rod and reel, heavier for hand lines.

Large swivels, sleeves if you don't like to tie knots in heavy line (requires crimping pliers)

What did I forget :whazzup:

Thats the very basic terminal tackle, remember that there are many other lures and colors that will all catch fish. I'm trying to keep it really simple so you don't spend a lot of money. Put it on 80lb tuff and you are good to go for rod and reel fishing. Hand lines, thats another topic. Keep in mind that on a charter boat you will, for the most part, troll jigs. Ether handlines or rod and reel, however the Captain sets up his boat.

You will get a tuna "Masters" when you go on your Aug. trip on the Blitz!

Good luck,
Jerry

[love2fish]

I made a trip down to Englunds in Astoria last weekend and picked up enough stuff to get started for under $100 :grin: . I found that they are a lot cheaper (about 30%) than Fishermans, and they are very helpfull to the new guy (me). I saved enough money to pay for fuel, and had a nice drive too.

love2fish

[TWB]

Pretender,

I just noticed that you live in Corvallis, a short drive from me.E-Mail me at GRich912@aol.com and come over some evening. I will show you the tuna gear.

Jerry

[Beer Waggin]

Englunds is much cheaper than Fisherman's, and they will ship it right to your door. The coast to the valley is only a one day deal via ups ground. Much cheaper than the gas, but you'll want to touch it before you buy it!
If you buy off the net, and Charkbait is a good location, stick to the smaller baits like the Zurker ZG's (Zurker Grass skirt), ZF's (Zurker Feather) and stay away from the ZTWF's (Tuna/Wahoo Feather Skirt). The ZTFW's will catch fish, but at $16.00 vs $8.00 your money will go longer. Not to say you have to buy Zurkers to catch fish, just a size example.
If your anything like I am, you'll have a whole box full of the stuff in no time.

[Pilar]

Pretender, dont overlook homemade. You can make a pretty fishy jig just by using a hootchie and an egg sinker. Put the sinker in the head of the hootchie and thread a leader through it.

Because this is a small lure it just kicks ***.

$2 instead of $8.

Green and white is working the best for me. Yamashita GOLDSTAR, Octopus 3.5 OG142R. At Fishermans in OC for $5 for 5.