| Author | Post |
|---|
Chinook
Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 8th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 19 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: |  |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 02:38 am |
|
| We'll be cruising in a small sailboat this spring, from San Carlos to LaPaz. I have a deep sea rod and reel (Penn Senator reel). It has some older 30 lb test mono line on it. I'm considering replacing with new line. Any suggestions on line weight? I've been considering going to 40 or 50 lb test.
|
repsilon
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 16th, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 275 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: |  |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 04:13 am |
|
| On a sailboat, definitely go fifty if the rod can handle it. If you can, load up all but the top hundred or two yards of line with a superbraid (thinner diameter, Powerpro is the cheapest and best that I have found). Then when that big one takes out four to five hundred yards of line while you're staring agape and trying to remember how to tack the boat, you might be able to back down and save your lure. Have some water ready to pour on that old Senator.
|
Stuart
Member
| Joined: | Wed Oct 26th, 2005 |
| Location: | Tempe, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 444 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: |  |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 04:24 am |
|
If it's a 113 or 114 Senator, you should respool it with no less than 40 lb. Be sure to fish a leader on any lures or bait (150 lb., at least). I've caught plenty of marlin on 40 lb. test. It can be a bit of a struggle on 40, but just make sure your drag is set right. I've had some Suffix 40 lb. singing like piano strings with a 300 lb. blue marlin on the other end! But, have still managed to get them boatside for the release. Have even caught sails on 20 lb. test. Go 40 and you'll be able to handle most anything. 30 is too light for anything big, but is fine for dorado, skipjack, and football tuna. I only run 30 on my Penn Jigmasters that I use for light skippy trolling or making bait. All my serious trolling rods have higher rated line. I even use 50 lb. Spectra on my Penn 950 Spinfishers. It's like fishing with silk dental floss!
Hope this helps!
Stuart
A nice 250 lb. blue on a Penn Tuna Stick, Penn 15 KG, 40 lb. test. Bendo, baby! You gotta work 'em!
Last edited on Thu Feb 14th, 2008 04:33 am by Stuart
|
bahiatrader
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Laughlin, Nevada USA |
| Posts: | 191 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 02:09 pm |
|
| I've fished out of a sailboat before. I agree with Bryan about using the heaviest line you can. PowerPro is a good choice because you can get more line on the reel. Even though the line is super thin, it doesn't seem to bite into the line on the reel under a lot of pressure. You definitely need more line on a sailboat. That's one of the drawbacks about being eco-friendly.
|
Divecoz
Member
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 02:34 pm |
|
I as well have a question or 5 for all of you.
I too would be sail trolling and to be honest have never fished all that much.
But I would like to try. Could you fellows direct me toward a decent setup without breaking the bank. Rod and Reel?
Sad to say but Its looking more and more like my trip will have to be next year or very late this year, where as Chinooks will be soon.
Chinook and others What about rod holders how sturdy do those have to be ?
My friends on Cozumel with whom I go deep sea fishing with have Big Power Boats and the rod holds are heavy enough ( mounted ) to tow a submarine. I have no place on my boat where the glass is that thick or a place to mount a rocket launcher that would enable me to tow a car with it . Just how strong need be the holders?
Any Direction Instruction and or Help would be Greatly Appreciated.
|
tecate
Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 23rd, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 108 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 03:10 pm |
|
I have to tell you guys, trolling from a sailboat is a lot like throwing a forward pass in the game of football; more things can go wrong than right. I was talked into a sailboat cruise one time. I had fun for a while but needed to fish. The captain had a setup much like Chinook described on the boat. I ran a big crocodile spoon off the stern and had a yellow fin tuna hooked up in no time. Within one or two minutes after the hook-up the pole was broken in half and I was bloody. Seems when you turn a sailboat this thing called a boom turns too. Who would have thought? In the end, we hose clamped the reel to the bow rail and had fun. This was back in the dark days of Dacron. I bet that Senator was loaded with 80-lb test so we surfed tuna behind us on a heavy drag and gained line on tacks.
The moral of my rant is don’t be afraid to improvise because the fish tastes the same and don’t get to attached to whatever gear you are fishing with because that pass is more likely to get dropped or intercepted (unless your name is Eli).
Suerte
Mateo
|
Stuart
Member
| Joined: | Wed Oct 26th, 2005 |
| Location: | Tempe, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 444 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 03:21 pm |
|
Divecoz wrote: But I would like to try. Could you fellows direct me toward a decent setup without breaking the bank. Rod and Reel?
Chinook and others What about rod holders how sturdy do those have to be ?
You can often pick up a Penn Senator combo new for about $139. Nothing fancy, just your basic rod and reel. West Marine, Sports Authority, and others often have sales on this basic saltwater combo.
Consider a clamp-on rod holder. I assume you have rails around the sailboat? Rails somewhere? A good quality, metal clamp-on can be had for $59 to $69. I've used the plastic clamp-ons (mostly for rod storage, rather than a trolling base, and they hold up well, too.
|
Divecoz
Member
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 03:22 pm |
|
Thank You Stuart:
I see you posted while I was writing.. I will look for those . Yes I have numerous stanchions I guess I could mount the Holder to.
Well keeping you clear of the boom was the Captains Job and he. . .failed.
I have a Powersailer and anticipate that we would troll while sailing but in a matter of 2 or 3 minutes can have the sail down and a 50 HP Merc BF swinging a 14 10 prop doing all she can to help.
So without being just a name dropper what is a decent rod and reel.
I have taught numerous sports in my life time and know that there is seldom a need to Pay for the Name unless your at the top of your/the game.
So should I just click on http://www.Cabelas.com pick a price I am comfortable with??
Last edited on Thu Feb 14th, 2008 03:26 pm by Divecoz
|
AcuDoc
Member
| Joined: | Thu Aug 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 338 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 04:13 pm |
|
Here is my two cents. I’ve been using Shimano for close to 30 years. I my two conventional reels are a Speedmaster II that I use 30# on and a TLD 25 that I have around 4-500 yards of 80# spectra top-shotted w/80# mono. That is what I would suggest…the TLD for what you are looking to do.
Here is what I found and the last listing seems to be a great buy. It may be a little more money then you are looking at but it is my experience that you should get the most expensive reel that you can afford. Like I said both of my reels are more then 25 years old, have had a a lot of fishing trips with them and they are still going upgreat. If you go with a cheap reel chances are its will explode on you and the drag isn’t good.
Again just my opinion
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0002024312147a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=SHIMANO+REEL+TLD+25&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=SHIMANO+REEL+TLD+25&noImage=0
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_17515_151001003_151000000_151001000_151-1-3
BEST DEAL
http://www.marinetackle.com/xcart/catalog/shimano-tld-25-reel-combo-with-penn-stand-up-630ms-rod.html
|
AcuDoc
Member
| Joined: | Thu Aug 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 338 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 04:15 pm |
|
| Sorry think it is top-shotted with 60# mono, not 80...maybe even 40#...can't remember for sure but definately 80# spectra
|
Divecoz
Member
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 06:40 pm |
|
AcuDoc wrote: Sorry think it is top-shotted with 60# mono, not 80...maybe even 40#...can't remember for sure but definately 80# spectra
Thank You Very Much...You even gave a link You . . .are da man.
Price is do-able as well.
So one more Question then.
Poles what for a pole, and should I even be concerned about breaking it?
If I did I assume I could buy a decent pole in San Carlos for a decent price ??
|
AcuDoc
Member
| Joined: | Thu Aug 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 338 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 06:53 pm |
|
Even though most of Shimanos reels I feel are over priced I believe they offer reasonable prices on their rods. Although
check out BAss Pro Shops for their rods as well.
To me the rods are not as critical as the reel. You should be able to get a very good rod for right around $100 if not less
|
bahiatrader
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Laughlin, Nevada USA |
| Posts: | 191 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 07:05 pm |
|
I can't stress enough what AcuDoc said about buying a quality reel. I have an old surf casting reel that my dad bought back in 1939 with genuine ruby end-bearings. It's still as smooth as it was back when I first started using it in the 1950s. I also had a mid-range priced reel that I bought new for an Alaskan trip go gunny bag on me the second day I used it. Luckily I had an old well-made reel as a backup.
As far as rods are concerned, I think you pay a lot for name nowdays. Just about all the new graphite rods are good. You just have to choose the action and weight of the rod you want. I've purchased some excellent new and used rods and reels on eBay for terrific prices. Just be sure you know what you are looking for, and check the seller's feedback.
|
Chinook
Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 8th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 19 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 07:56 pm |
|
| This has been a fun topic. I have a pair of stainless Perko rod holders on the stern rail stanchions, both sides. I have the stiff boat pole and Senator 114 as described above. Biggest fish I've caught while sail trolling was a 10 lb rainbow up in British Columbia. The MacGregor is actually pretty quick and easy to control when a fish is hooked while sailing. I grab the rod and have my wife cut the main sheet (let her luff), then roll in the jib furler, and lie ahull while I play the fish. If need be, we could start the engine and maneuver as required without much trouble. The big hassle comes when the fish is brought to boat. High sides on the Mac, plus back stay and main sheet create challenges, and then the question is, after netting or gaffing, bringing a thrashing, bleeding fish into the cockpit. Rainbows are pretty easy to knock out, but I expect bigger salt water fish are much tougher, and toothier. We caught some 5 and 6 lb bluefish trolling from a sailboat in New England last summer, and we used a fillet knife to slash the gills to kill the fish before bringing aboard.
|
bahiatrader
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Laughlin, Nevada USA |
| Posts: | 191 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 11:57 pm |
|
| Get yourself a Stun Master 100S stun gun. It's much less bloody than a billy club. I got one for my wife for self protection. If you zap a big fish on the forehead with one, it's all over with no mess. Ain't technology wonderful?
|
Divecoz
Member
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 01:44 am |
|
bahiatrader wrote: Get yourself a Stun Master 100S stun gun. It's much less bloody than a billy club. I got one for my wife for self protection. If you zap a big fish on the forehead with one, it's all over with no mess. Ain't technology wonderful?
Very Cool Idea but we are talking fishing in and around San Carlos Mexico.
I believe if my memory serves me correctly that stun guns are listed as contraband???
|
Jimmy
Member
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 12:14 pm |
|
| I once fished with a guy that kept an atomizer filled with cheap vodka. A couple of good sprays onto the gills and the fish was out. Last edited on Fri Feb 15th, 2008 12:15 pm by Jimmy
|
bahiatrader
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Laughlin, Nevada USA |
| Posts: | 191 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 12:19 pm |
|
| I guess I should check on that. Nobody ever looked in my wife's purse... even me!
|
bahiatrader
Member
| Joined: | Mon Apr 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Laughlin, Nevada USA |
| Posts: | 191 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 12:21 pm |
|
| Vodka marinated fish. That sounds OK.
|
Current time is 10:15 am | |
|
