Fly Fishing

NWflyFisher · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:42 am Post subject: Fly Rod For Tuna, What Wt.?

I am wondering what weight rod I should use for albicore tuna from a boat? Thanks for the help in advance. Confused

Clint

Austin · Newbie Joined: Jan 10, 2005 Posts: 84

Hey! i fished for the false albacore and bonito quite a bit this year. i would have to say that i felt very out gunned with my 8 weight, and it seemed as though i caught more fish with a 9 weight. the albies are pretty big fish, and they can fight to the death, so it is much better to use a bigger rod to muscle these fish in and release them unharmed. Plus the extra distance from the bigger rods can really help when the albies are far out. So i would say go with a 9 weight, but even a 10 weight would be fine. let us know how you make out!

edited to add: i don't know if you are talking about false albacore or reel albacore. i have no experience fishing for real albacore.....so i have no idea what people generally fish with.

rebelfly · Newbie Joined: Jan 17, 2008 Posts: 1

Did depends on the tuna...if u are interested in bonita a 9 or 10 wt. If u are interested in blackfin then a 10 wt. If u are interested in yellowfin at 16 wt cam sigler. the trick to yellowfin is to cut your fly line down to 10 ft or the bow in the line will break ur tippet. use a chum fly the same size as the chucks in the spread and hold on for dear life

clouserhead · Newbie Joined: Dec 25, 2007 Posts: 5

Out west in SoCal a 12 weight will handle most Tuna (YFT & Albies) to 40 lbs. We catch bonita up to 15 lbs on 8-10 weights. Depends if there is a dog (sea lion) problem. Then we upsize the rod to get the fish in as fast as possible. Out here the Bonita fight harder than the YFT and especially Albacore. With the Albies it is three runs and then they are about done. YFT give you a few more runs, Bonita and skipjack kick your ass.

Randy

jeremy · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject: tuna

from my experience ... i would say albies/bonito in the northeast (5- 13 pounds) whether from foot or boat = 9 wt fly rod is just fine .... bluefin tuna 20 - 100 pounds = 14 weight .. yah, i suppose you could get away with a 12 weight, but based on the size of the bluefin that we were casting to here in maine i would much rather have a 14 wt. than a 12 wt. .. that is just my opinion ... could be wrong .. but whatever the case that's how i roll .. 9wt for little tuna .. 14 weight big tuna ... the thing with the tuna is, at the end of the battle they are gonna sound and go down .. and for the sake of the fish and the fisherman having a heavier stick enables the somewhat "boring" vertical portion of the battle to be less time because the 14 wt simply has more to it, enabling the fisherman to use that as leverage .. where as a 12 wt. can be kind of noodly and not provide the fisherman with enough leverage to get the tuna from the bottom to the top in reasonable time ... so, that's just my thinking ... and what works for me for any big bluewater fish whether it be tuna or marlin or whatever ... they are big fish and they require a heavy rod in order to fish them effectively and, yes, they could all probably be caught on a 6 wt i guess .. but that would not be logical or effective ... so, better to have more than less in the case of big bluewater species... just my opinion.

clouserhead · Newbie Joined: Dec 25, 2007 Posts: 5

Jeremy, The bluefin out here are primarliy the big boys 40+. Actually I don't know if anyone has caught one on a fly yet in SoCal. They are really spooky because they get pressured by purse seiners a lot before they show up. Last year i had a shot a some mondo models when I spotted them 30 miles out just hammering a school of pinners. Positioned the boat in their path, turned off the engine, got low and even lowered the antenna. I figured this might be my best shot for the year. At about 100 feet out I raised up and started to cast and they sunk out. Those puppys are really boat shy out here. 14 weights are cool but we do alot of casting out here and a 12 weight casts better. JMHO. I love the 14 plus for big Mako's although a 12 weight works well with the 60-100 lb models. In Baja the 12 is the go to stick for the YFT and other bruisers. Yesterday some guy caught a 51 lb YT on a squid off LaJolla. Now that would have been a 14 weight fish for sure. Time to try some squid patterns I've been messing with.

I'm headed to Costa Rica for a long weekend winter get away in a couple of weeks. A buddy of mine has permission to use the roads on the Chiquita plantations and borrow their boats. This will allow us to drive up to some locations that are usually high end fly in lodges. We'll stay at the plantaion and DIY tarpon, Dorado, and YFT. The rainy season has ended and the fish are on the prowl. Also fish the jungle rivers for whatever swims. Can't wait- 10 hour flight, 4 hours driving dirt roads in the middle of the night through the jungle, 3 days hardcore fishing, reverse the process on the way home. Crazy grunge fly fishing at it's best. Screw the apettizers, fancy food, umbrella drinks and polite after dinner chatter. 2 cases of Modello, 4 large cans of refried beans, local tortillas, fish batter, salsa, power bars, large bottle of Motrin and whatever works for the screaming shits and it's done.

randy

jeremy · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject: clouserhead

wow, i would love to get out your way and chase some of the fish you speak of ... here in the northeast we definately have some shots at the "big bluefin" 50+ ... here in maine, it is not uncommon to see the 200lb+ giants busting with or around the 75 pounders .. ... needless to say the "giants" are not really realistic to cast to with flies .. but the 50-100 pounders are nice .. and a 14wt makes sense ... of course there are the really small bluefin about 15-25 pounds and those are very cool and defintely a 12 would seem like the stick of choice ... so, we are on the same page ..

anyway ... the trip you speak of sounds outrageous .. right up my alley man ... i like how you say "Screw the apettizers, fancy food, umbrella drinks and polite after dinner chatter. 2 cases of Modello, 4 large cans of refried beans, local tortillas, fish batter, salsa, power bars, large bottle of Motrin and whatever works for the screaming shits and it's done. " .... throw in some instant coffee, a carton of smokes and 24 or so red bulls and it sounds like a beautiful trip!!!! good luck man, you should take some photos and video if you get the chance and do a little fishtale for the site, so we can all at least fish vicariouly through your trip ..!!

hey -- we should hook up, a west coast mako on fly and the footbal yellow fin tuna really interest me .. and the west coast albacore too! ... and if you come east, would be glad to chase some of the false albore, atlantic bonito and bluefin tuna .. bluefish, stripers etc...

ok man .. good luck on your trip .. i am jealous .. the pacific is an amazing fishery ... i was in mexico a couple months ago and had a blast fishing for striped marlin, yellow tail, bonito ... i just loved that majestic purple'ish off shore water .... cool stuff ..

golfhuntfish · Newbie Joined: Jan 25, 2008 Posts: 2

Hey....I ran a charter boat for about 10 yrs, out of Manasquan Inlet NJ. I specialized in off shore fly fishing for tunas (yellow fin, albalcore, blue fin). We were lucky, and had 3 IGFA world records on my boat. The 47lb long fin Albacore still stands.
I have several published articles on this kind of fishing, particularly on technique and gear. So, for true tunas you should use at least a 12wt. If you want a real chance at landing a 50+lb tuna, use a 14 wt.
Good luck.....Gene