Tilefish Tackle
The rod and reel combo we recommend for tilefish should be capable of handling 50lb braid. The rod should be 6’6″-7’6″ with a fast to extra-fast action. We prefer a rod that has a little more beef to the rod to handle large sinkers up to 24oz. The reel should have at least a 5:1 ratio because the depths are so extreme. Levelwind reels are certainly easier to use, but may present a handicap when dropping the bait down in fast currents (because the line goes out more slowly). Do not be confused by the suggested lure weights specified on the rod blanks. These weights pertain to the size of lures that can be cast effectively using that rod.
Tilefish Fishing Techniques and Tips
The reel should be loaded with 50lb braid. The heavier braid is preferred when fishing bouncing sinkers up to 24oz on the bottom. Since braided lines have a thinner diameter and less water resistance, they provide an added advantage and allow the angler to hold bottom with lighter sinkers. The lack of stretch transmits even the softest of hits back to the angler.
Tilefish Rigs
The rig we recommend is a simple hi-lo rig that consists of a 4ft length of 50lb fluorocarbon leader with a standoff dropper loops at 12 inches above the sinker and again at 36 inches above the sinker. A standard 12-24oz bank sinker should be used to ensure the rig was on the bottom. The dropper loops get threaded through 7/0 beak baitholder hooks that are tipped with clams. The rig is attached ot the main line using a 100lb barrel swivel.
Tilefish Tackle Checklist
- 6’6″ to 7’6″ fast to extra-fast conventional rod rated for 50lb braid
- Conventional reel with/without levelwind rated for 30-50lb braid
- 50lb braid
- 100lb barrel swivel
- 50-80lb fluorocarbon leader
- 12oz to 24oz bank sinkers
- 7/0 beak baitholder hook
Please contact us if you have questions about our recommendations!
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Tackle Recommendations
 | Penn Bluewater Carnage Casting Casting (conventional) rod - graphite composite - 6'6" - 7'10 - multiple models suitable for 10-130lb braid or mono Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct |  |
 | Shimano Teramar Northeast Inshore Casting Inshore conventional rod - 6'6" to 7'6" - multiple models suitable for 12-50lb braid or mono - medium to fast actions - lure weights from 1/2oz to 6oz Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | |  |
 | Penn Fathom Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 10-50lb mono and 15-80lb braid - 6:1 gear ratio - 5 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Penn Torque Conventional Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 10-50lb mono and 15-80lb braid - 6:1 gear ratio - 7 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Torium Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 14-50lb mono and 40-100lb braid - 6.2:1 gear ratio - 3 ball bearings - aluminum frame and side plates Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Talica Lever drag conventional reel - models rated for 40-150lb braid - 3.8:1 and 6.2:1 gear ratios - 7 ball bearings - great for butterfly jigging (this reel essentially replaced the Torsa) Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Fireline Braid Braided line - virtually no stretch - moss green color - very thin line diameter - available 6 to 80lb test and 110, 300, and 1500 yard spools Learn more and buy at Berkley Learn more and buy at Amazon |  | |
 | Mustad Beak Baitholder Hook 92661-NI - Forged, Reversed, 2 Slices in special long shank, Ringed, Nickel Learn more and buy at Amazon | |
 | Mustad Rolling Swivel 77900 - Black Rolling Swivel w/round eye - available sizes/rating: 4/144lb, 6/118lb, 8/104lb, 9/77lb, 10/70lb, 12/49lb, and 14/42lb |
 | Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 4-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri TopKnot Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - additional abrassion resistance, lower diameter, invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 8-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Prospec Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear, blue, pink, brown colors - 20-200lb test and 25/33/75/100yd coils Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
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