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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!
Please contact us if you have questions about our recommendations!