Tuna Trolling
What is a good setup for salt water fishing?
My friend has a new grady white so we can finally leave the intercoastal waterways of North Carolina and venture out into open water of the outer banks and such. We want to be able to do everything and anything we want from trolling for tuna or blue fish to whatever the hell else you can do. I am from the north east where i go fishing on lakes frozen and not for everything, but i know nearly nothing about fishing hardware for salt water. can anyone suggest a good quality rod/reel set up for what we want to do?
i’m assuming that i will be running the gamut from inshore weakfish and blues, to more offshore dolphin/tuna and occasional spanish. that seems to be a pretty wide spread. i’d like to keep it simple as i don’t really know what i’m doing….yet.
Incurrigable is totally accurate and has many good points , although, in my opinion, trolling for Kings, Dolphin, Wahoo, Etc does NOT require 80LB line. In fact, many King-fishermen in J-ville, Fla use 25-30LB (and as low as 20LB) line and get more hook-ups and bigger catches. Go to http://www.floridasportsman.com and ask Q’s in the Forum section and they will cover you up with good info, (Heck, they might trade you a trip!)
Here’s some ideas on Reels and Rods :
Technically, what you want will be 2 (or even 3) different “sized” outfit’s with 2 very different lines and size reels.
You should have (at least) 2 “lighter tackle” outfit’s for Trolling lighter lines for Blues, Spanish, Etc and 2 heavy duty outfit’s for Dolphin, Kings, Etc. (And if I were you I’d have a couple outfit’s dedicated to bottom fishing.) You could have MANY more outfit’s but starting out with 4 GOOD ones is better than having 6 cr@ppie ones.
Here’s a good tip: Spend more on your reels than your rods. Why? When you are offshore there are very little “obstructions” and any reel’s drag will generally get a hard “work-out” every time you catch a fish. That’s why it’s important to have the finest reel you can possibly afford VS a $250 rod.
MANY fishermen use Ugly Stik boat Rods that cost $60-$80. They are inexpensive and tough as nails. I suggest you do the same. Go Ugly Stik for your rods. A good idea is to buy ALL your equipment from a local Mom & Pop store, (and keep ALL your receipts). It might cost you a couple dollars more to purchase, (or order) your outfit’s from a local dealer but in the LONG RUN it will benefit you greatly.
Here is a list of reel options that have excellent reputations:
Light Tackle Offshore Spinning-
1. Fin-Nor Offshore Reel model OFS 65- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_89192_151001002_151000000_151001000_151-1-2
Although this reel is a bit heavy, it is one of the few spinning reels that have the capacity to take BIG fish AND smaller fish with ease. In my opinion, if I was outfitting a new boat with reels and rods for Offshore fishing THIS REEL would be my #1 pick for a light-heavy weight spinning reel.
2. Penn Slammer model 560- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_96639_151001002_151000000_151001000_151-1-2?ordProd=Y&CMID=BOTTOM_selectitems#itemDetail
Other than the old Penn SSm the Slammer is superb, (but doesn’t have the drag ability of the Offshore Fin-Nor).
3. Shimano Baitrunner model BTR 6500B- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_38725_151001002_151000000_151001000_151-1-2?ordProd=Y&CMID=BOTTOM_selectitems#itemDetail
Baitrunner= old reliable. And the Baitrunner feature is awesome when drifting live baits.
For general Trolling here are some conventional reels that work great and are inexpensive:
1. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_2228_151001003_151000000_151001000_151-1-3
2. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_17515_151001003_151000000_151001000_151-1-3
The Triton is awesome for most anything.
Hope this gives you some good ideas on what to purchase.
Just remember! Great reel mediocre rod, NOT great Rod mediocre reel! If you don’t trust my advice make sure to read the reviews about the above reels (and Ugly Stik Rods) at Bass Pro.
Bottom line- Get 2 OFS 65’s, 2 Shimano Baitrunners, and 2 Tritons (and Ugly Stik Boatrods for each) and you’d have one HECK of a start towards offshore fishing! (If 6 outfit’s are too expensive go with OFS 65’s and the Tritons.)
Good luck! And good fishing!
tuna fishing trolling
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TUNA SMACKER TROLLING LURE 9″ RIGGED PINK machine type $7.95 |
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BIG ZANDER 200 mm/ 88g JOINT LURE- BOAT TROLLING TUNA GAME PIKE BASS SEA Fly $6.99 |
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Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6 in pb9g $19.99 |
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OBSOLETE YOZURI HYDRO MAGNUM GR MACKEREL TROLLING LURE TUNA WAHOO MAHI JACKS $14.95 |
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Rigged ProFish Big Game Fishing Tuna Trolling Lure 10in $8.99 |
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Tuna Wahoo Dolphin Trolling Lures $45.00 |
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Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6 inch black with 9″ Pink Mackerel $19.99 |
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Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 12 in shr $22.99 |
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Ringed Saltwater Fishhooks Tuna Trolling Hooks #3/2 $9.10 |
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Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6 inch Dolphin w 9″ Chart Mackerel $19.99 |
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Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6″ Zuchinni w 9″ Pink mackerel $19.99 |
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VINTAGE SALTWATER GULF OF MEXICO TARPON TUNA FISH LURE TROLLING SHRIMP W/ LEADER $0.75 |
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7pc 5 oz hi speed Trolling lures Tuna Dorado Wahoo Bulk $33.99 |
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8½” X 8 SUPERTACKLE Tuna Halibut ~ Jig -Troll Skirts for Fishing Lures PILCHARD $11.75 |
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Tuna Stick Trolling Rig with Large Quality Hook $7.00 |
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8½” X 8 SUPERTACKLE Tuna Halibut ~ Jig – Troll Skirts for Fishing Lures CHEVRON $11.75 |
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Tuna Smacker 13″ Black/ Rainbow Rigged Trolling Lure $7.99 |
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TUNA SMACKER TROLLING LURE Set 9 colors 12″ $44.98 |
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7″ Tuna FEATHER Trolling Lure – Brand New – Blue/Pink $11.73 |
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Tuna Smackers 13″ Trolling lure kit 4 Rigged W/4 Pocket lure bag B $35.98 |
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Full Funnel (1.80oz) (Head Only) $12.99 A 1.80oz open front funnel makes a tasty treat for Tuna, Dorado, Bonita, Wahoo, and Marlin. The long slender cylinder shape creates intense action in the water on calm and choppy days. Troll at any speed at the back of the pattern. Rig with 6/0 to 9/0 hook and 60 to 150 lb. leader…. |
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Mid-Atlantic Off-Shore Sportfishing $3.99 … |
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Mid-Atlantic Off-Shore Sportfishing $14.99 … |
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Big Game Fishing – Blue Water Fishing Tips $14.99 … |
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Rum Runner Jet Head (3.20oz) (Head Only) $15.99 Heres an awesome Jet Head for any type of species. Detachable skirts make it easy to change skirt colors in seconds. This is an oversized bull of a chrome head, slightly rounded and tapered featuring a deep funneled front and 4 jet holes for nice bubble action…. |
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Shimano Tyrnos TYR-30 Single Speed Reel $257.99 The Shimano Tyrnos is set to become the next great addition to the uncompromising range of Shimano game reels. With the same commitment to quality that is the trademark of all Shimano reels, the Tyrnos is certain to become your #1 choice when youAAATMre looking for an aluminum framed, lever drag, single or two speed reel. Equally well suited for casting bait to surface feeding Tuna, dropping back … |
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Rigged Tuna Trolling Lures $10.00 Single Rigged Tuna chrome jet heads rigged on 5 ft. of 130lbs. Momoi mono with mustad 5/0 super tuna hook… |
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SALTWATER FISHING LURE,RIGGED,WAHOO,DOLPHIN,TUNA.MARLIN $12.00 These lures are one of the best all around baits for dolphin,wahoo, tuna, sailfish, and marlin. The soft body feels like a real baitfish and the premium grade vinyl skirts have the flash and action that attracts the big ones! We have used these many years and rely on them when nothing else will produce. It has a great wave walking action and can be rigged by itself or run over a rigged bait. A mus… |
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Rum Runner Jet Head (1.60oz) (Head Only) $9.99 Here’s an awesome Jet Head for any type of species. Detachable skirts make it easy to change skirt colors in seconds. This is an oversized bull of a chrome head, slightly rounded and tapered featuring a deep funneled front and 4 jet holes for nice bubble action…. |
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Rum Runner Jet Head (.45oz) (Head Only) $6.99 Here’s an awesome Jet Head for any type of species. Detachable skirts make it easy to change skirt colors in seconds. This is an oversized bull of a chrome head, slightly rounded and tapered featuring a deep funneled front and 4 jet holes for nice bubble action…. |