Bluefish Chunking/Live Lining
The conventional rod and reel combo we recommend features a Shimano Torium 30 reel on a Tallus conventional rod (model TLC-70MHA). This is a very versatile conventional outfit and is perfect for nearly all northeast chunking applications.
We recommend loading the reel with 50lb Berkley Big Game which is attached to 16in 130lb wire leader using a Mustad rolling swivel. The rig is completed with a 9/0 Mustad Ultrapoint Beak Bait style hook. This is an incredibly sharp hook and is the most effective hook when using large live baits, whole dead baits, or chunk baits.
If your someone who prefers to release most bluefish boatside like we do, in addition to that rig, we place a 2ft length of 80lb Fluorocarbon leader above the wire so that we have a nice heavy line to wrap our hand around giving good grip since the lighter 50lb mono slips alot, and you don’t have to bring you hand near the wire. This is where the Berkley fish flipper comes in handy.
