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Looking at Rod, Reel and line for big BFT

2.8K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Puffin  
#1 Ā·
I'm looking into getting a setup for big BFT. Here is what I am thinking about:

Reel: Avet HXW Raptor 3-Speed
Rod: Seeker 6563XXH-6-1/4' AR
Main Line: Jerry Brown Line One Non-Hollow Spectra Braid 100lb, 600 yards
Top Shot: Seaguar 60FP25 Fluoro Premium Fluorocarbon, 25 yards

Since I have NO experience fishing BFT, I thought you guys that do can check me on this. I will be getting tom 30# setups too but I may already have what I need in that category.

Thanks in advance.
 
#2 Ā·
Depends on how many trips you are going to fish. And if you are on your own boat. When I did long range on the Independence, my biggest rig was a Talica 12 2 speed and 65# braid. If I needed heavier, I used their rigs. Did not figure I needed another $800-1000 rig for the few times I needed one. Most of the fish I landed were 100# or less.
 
#3 Ā· (Edited)
You haven't told us where or what the specific application is. Your own boat or a charter? Prince Edward Island? Off San Clemente Island? Fishing a kite with flying fish? Deep drop with iron jigs? Flylinging live bait? Trying to get one up here in the PNW? Who will make the leaders? Do you want to use loop-to-loop / insertions? Or direct tie? That will dictate whether to put solid or hollow core on the reel.

For most of the west coast applications, I'd avoid the all-roller guides. I have a great super seeker 63XXXH with all rollers, that I had built about 13 years ago. Now I wish it didn't have rollers. The 6.6 ft rod is OK for your own boat. But if you're using it on say a San Diego charter, you'd be better off with a 7 to 7.5 ft rod; and as mentioned....ring guides. Also, that rod you stated is not the best match for the reel. That's an 80 lb rod, tops. And it's heavy with a fat tip. Zero finesse. That reel can be used as a true 100 lb rig. So the reel has more capability than that rod.

The Avet HX & HXW are great reels. But they are "medium frame", not heavy frame. So they are really good for flylining bait, daytime applications; and for "medium weight" nightime. But if you are thinking of a heavy nighttime rig for deep drop, you may be better off with a heavy frame reel.

You need to decide what drag settings you'll be likely to use. That will dictate the leader & the main line.

Oh, Seaguar premium is IGFA rated. So it will break at the labeled test. Always look at the diameter of the fluoro leader, when comparing. Once you get into this, you will have many different leader sizes / types that you might use with the same rod / reel / line.

My "heavy" rigs are (from heaviest to lightest)

Super Seeker CTSF63XXXH, with an Avet 50 San Diego Special (130 lb braid, 130 - 200 lb leaders) this is the "130 lb" rig
Super Seeker 2 x 4, with Okuma Mak 20 SEA (100 braid, 80 - 130 leaders) this is the "100 lb" rig
Calstar 7465H, with modified Avet EXW4/0, 100 lb braid; this is backup "100 lb" rig
UC Centaur, Avet HX Raptor 3 speed, 80 braid; this is "80" rig


So the better way to ask the question is something like:

"I am thinking of a 100 lb rig that can do double duty for flyline bait / sinker rig bait, and deep drop iron jigs"

If you phrased it that way, then one possible answer would be "Avet HXW raptor, matched to a SS 2 x4 (or equivalent UC rod)
 
#4 Ā·
You haven't told us where or what the specific application is. Your own boat or a charter? Prince Edward Island? Off San Clemente Island? Fishing a kite with flying fish? Deep drop with iron jigs? Flylinging live bait? Trying to get one up here in the PNW? Who will make the leaders? Do you want to use loop-to-loop / insertions? Or direct tie? That will dictate whether to put solid or hollow core on the reel.

For most of the west coast applications, I'd avoid the all-roller guides. I have a great super seeker 63XXH with all rollers, that I had built about 13 years ago. Now I wish it didn't have rollers. The 6.6 ft rod is OK for your own boat. But if you're using it on say a San Diego charter, you'd be better off with a 7 to 7.5 ft rod; and as mentioned....ring guides.

You need to decide what drag settings you'll be likely to use. That will dictate the leader & the main line.

Oh, Seaguar premium is IGFA rated. So it will break at the labeled test. Always look at the diameter of the fluoro leader, when comparing.
If you fish albacore in the Pacific Northwest you basically already own 30 pound set up if you fish Halibut you probably have a 50 pound set up