Tuna Plugging
Nothing is more exciting than throwing a topwater plug and witnessing the incredible attacks by yellowfin tuna and bluefin tuna. The recommended tackle found here is suitable for tuna of 20lbs and up. Lighter tackle can certainly be used for the smaller tuna.
Tuna Rods
The rod and reel combo we recommend for throwing plugs to breaking tuna on top is a 5’6″ to 6’6″ jigging spinning rod with a spinning reel rated for 50lb braid or higher. Going to higher rated rods will allow the angler to put more pressure on the fish, but will reduce casting distance. The heaviest rods can handle some of the largest yellowfin tuna and most bluefin tuna. Once these fish get over 150lbs, the angler will certainly need every bit of skill to get these fish to the boat.
Tuna Reels
High-end reels are an absolute must. The high speed runs from big tunas will simply melt the drags on many spinning reels. There are very few “economical” reels that can withstand the punishment. Line capacity is also a major consideration. The reel must be able to hold at least 300yds of line (400yds+ preferred). A big tuna can rip 100yds out of a reel in just a few seconds (and they can still dive deep).
Braided Line & Leader
We recommend loading the reel with 50-65lb Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Braid. This is a very tough coated braided line. It not only casts well, but is resistant to wind knots, and is more durable than any other braid. The breaking strength of this line is typically much greater than the actual rating. We use a three foot 50lb-80lb fluorocarbon leader. We connect the leader to the braided line using a 100lb barrel swivel. The small profile of the swivel virtually eliminates any chance of picking up debris. Some anglers may want to make a direct connection using an albright knot or a wind-on leader.
Topwater Tuna Lures
We recommend using the biggest possible surface lures. Anglers need to determine the largest plug that their rod can effectively throw. It is critical to experiment with several lures to determine the one that gives you the most distance. A common mistake is selecting a plug that is simply too heavy for the rod. You can still cast it, but the distance will certainly suffer. Only the highest quality lures will survive repeated tuna attacks. Big poppers that can be worked slowly and produce maximum surface commotion are certainly preferred (especially in rough seas). However, slightly smaller poppers that “match the hatch” can be more effective when the fish are scattered.
Changing Hooks
We rarely get the manufacturers original hooks to withstand a season of repeated saltwater use. In many cases we switch the hooks directly out of the package and always replace them with 3/0 – 6/0 3X-4X strong trebles. The finish one most after-market hooks is more corrosion resistant than the original hooks supplied by most lure manufacturers.
Fighting Belts and Harnesses
We recommend the Black Magic Fighting Belt and Harness. This is a uniquely designed belt and harness system that helps prevent side-to side slippage while reducing back strain. It offers true seat conformation, more stability and fighting leverage!
Tuna Plugging Checklist
- 5’6″ to 6’6″ spinning jigging rod conventional rod rated for 50lb braid or higher
- Spinning reel rated for 50lb braid or higher
- 50-65lb braided line
- 50-80lb fluorocarbon leader
- 100lb barrel swivel
- large popping plugs
- 3x-4x replacement trebles in sizes 1/0-6/0
Please contact us if you have questions about our recommendations!
Tackle Recommendations
 | Penn Carnage Jigging Spinning Spinning butterfly jigging rod - 5'6" to 7' - multiple one-piece models suitable for 20-200lb braid - rated for lure weights from 1oz-14oz or 30-400grams Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon |  |  |
 | Shimano Trevala Spinning Spinning butterfly jigging rod - 5'8" to 7' - multiple one-piece models suitable for 10-200lb braid - rated for lure weights from 2oz-10oz or 55-270grams Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Penn Torque Spinning Offshore/surf spinning reel - models rated for 12-50lb mono and 20-100lb braid - 5.1:1 and 5.9:1 gear ratios - 7 ball bearings - waterproof drag Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy at Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Saragosa SW Spinning reel - models rated for 6-30lb mono and 10-80lb braid - 4.9:1, 5.2:1, or 6:1 gear ratios - 5 or 6 ball bearings - waterproof drag Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Stella SW Offshore/surf spinning reel - models rated for 10-30lb mono and 20-100lb braid - 4.4:1 to 6.2:1 gear ratios - 14 ball bearings - waterproof drag Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Braid Casting braided line - designed specifically for casting and to eliminate wind-knots - lo-vis green only - available in 10 to 65lb test and 125, 300, and 1500yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri Surface Cruiser Popping plug also capable of stop and pop, walk the dog or skipping actions. Available in 6inch-1.625oz and 7.5inch-3oz sizes with color change technology, stainless wire-thru construction, extra large eyes, 3x strong trebles, and 3x strong split rings Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri Bull Pop - Floating Popping plug available in 6inch-2.5oz and 8inch-5oz sizes with stainless steel wire-thru construction, 3X strong trebles, 3X strong split rings, extra large eyes, and color change technology Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri Hydro Popper Popping plug available in 3.5inch-7/8oz and 4.75inch-1.5oz sizes with thru-wire construction, 3X strong trebles, extra large eyes, extra wide mouth, heavy duty split rings, and 8 different colors Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri 3D Popper Popping plug available in 3.5inch-7/8oz and 4.75inch-1.5oz with internal prism finish, color change technology, thru-wire construction, extra wide mouth, 3X strong trebles, heavy duty split rings, and thru-wire construction Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri Diving Slider Slow sinking lure available in 5.5inch-2.5oz stainless wire-thru construction, extra large eyes, 3x strong trebles, and 3x strong split rings Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Mustad 3X Strong Treble Hook 3561D-DT - Treble, ringed, 3X strong, duratin sizes: 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0 Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on 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 | | |
 | Black Magic Belt & Harness Belt and Harness for rods with 15-18" butts - available in 3 different belt sizes (27-48" 34-58" 42-65") and standard 17.25" or XL Wide 19.5" plates Learn more and buy at Capt Harry's |  |
 | Black Magic Fighting Belt Fighting belt (plate) for rods with 15-18" butts - includes strap - available with standard 17.25" or XL Wide 19.5" plate Learn more and buy from Captain Harry's | |
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