The purpose of this thread was suggested by fishhead56—to present a thorough and constructive discussion of “using the rail” as a technique for fighting fish. I volunteered to start the discussion, not because I know anything about it or have extensive experience with it, but rather because I have collected information from various internet sources over the last couple of years. The following is a summary, together with some photos, including the one that fishhead56 already provided. If folks feel like weighing in--great--if not, you won't hurt my poor old feelings.
Reasonable people can differ, so let’s keep any discussion positive in all respects. Such words as “ridiculous”, “idiot”, “stupid”, and any curse words should be directed only toward Uncle Russ, who thought his first name was “Damnit, Boy” until he was 25 years old.
Why use the rail? The general consensus seems to be that you can defeat a fish using heavy drag much more quickly using this method than you can using commonly accepted standup techniques using a harness.
What is Using the Rail? Generally, you place the portion of the rod handle on the rail of the boat, using the rail as a fulcrum. You then push down, using any one of several methods, on the rear portion of the rod, thus raising the rod tip, and gain line—presumably in low gear—while reeling down and lowering the tip. You can also simply lay the rod on the rail and crank in low gear. As in harness fishing, you use your body weight to exert leverage on the fish, but you do it using the rail as the fulcrum of a lever.
When do you use the rail? The consensus seems to be that the technique is of little or no value when the fish is running out and away from the boat or parallel to the gunnels. Rather, it is useful when attempting to lift the fish when it has gone straight down (as it inevitably will.) On the other hand at least one of the folks quoted below, uses the rail, with the butt of the rod down against the deck, to get the tuna to go deep in the first place, so the technique will work even better pumping it up.
Methods: Some people advocate putting the butt of the rod under their right arm, steadying the reel (to prevent torquing???) with their left hand, and cranking with their right hand while pumping the rod with their weight applied from under the right arm. Others tuck the rod butt under their left arm. Still others have said they sit on the rod butt as with a seesaw and finally, others (see one of the pictures below) tuck the rod butt in their crotch. Ouch!
Rod Design: Most think that a longer rod is needed in order to get the line out from the rail when the tuna is straight down. Also, it is useful to have a longer butt to fit under your arm (or, I guess, to sit on) and a longer fore grip for positioning on the fulcrum/rail.
Special Considerations: If you want to set an IGFA record, using the rail will disqualify you. You can find a lot of angry discussions on the internet (probably from people who need to get a life and have more sex) concerning whether it is more sporting to use the rail or to back down on fish. Hopefully, this thread will not provoke any of that. I figure it is what it is, and fishing is fishing. If some old boy thinks he is closer to God using any given method, then more power to him—just don’t ask me to take it seriously.
General Discussion:
The most interesting discussions I have found on the subject are provided in the two links below which provides a lively exchange with varying opinion, and from which I have excerpted some posts:
UsingTheRailPart1
976-TUNA: Forums / Tuna-long range fishing / Using "The Rail" to your advantage!
Here are some extra helpful excerpts:
Wahoodad: On how to get the fish into an up-and-down position quickly then winch it up: “I hook the fish, and I crouch down, kneeling and I put the rod in one of those notches on the rail, butt almost to the deck. This is the tough part, and I don't blame you one bit if you choose to use a harness for this part of the fight…but I just hate clanging around with all that garbage on me. My knees get really tired in this crouch, but the good thing is, the amount of pressure put on the fish makes it go straight up and down pretty quick. One thing to watch out for is the rod. Try to make sure that the rod only rests on the rail at one point, preferably at the hypalon. If it hits on the inside of the rail at the hypalon, and also rests on the glass on the outside of the rail, you could have an ugly problem. Try to avoid this at all costs…Ok, you've made good progress, and now you are at deep color. I switch to under arm now to keep the line away from the hull, and to cut those circles off. I prefer the rod under my right arm, as I feel it's a straight grind, not reaching across my body. Do what feels best for you, so try both ways. I fish 6 and 6 1/2 foot rods for a few reasons. It keeps the line further away from the hull, and it has more tip so it takes the shock out since I have such short topshots…When the fish is in it's circle way to my right, I bring the rod tip way left. And visaversa. When it's under the boat, I put the rod tip out as much as I dare, and when it's out from the boat, wind as much as you can. At the very end, sometimes you can finish with the rail, but more often than not, you have to plant the rod in your gut, lean back, wind in the proper parts of the circle(ask crew), and bring the fish up to gaff.”
Some folks wear knee pads and kneel down to gain leverage—you can also use them with a harness to brace against the gunnels of the boat.
A different post, quoting Stas Velonicas, a well-known rail fisherman: It seems that there are two different methods of using the rail. One, as described in the previous discussion, is to put the rod under your armpit (probably your left armpit if you crank right handed and vice versa if you are left handed but it depends on what you are comfortable with). Under the armpit, you are more mobile but you have to squat a bit more, especially if you are tall. The other method is to sit on the butt section of the rod. This method allows you to stand a bit more upright…This allows you to stand a bit more upright than you would using your armpit and gives you a little more mobility than sitting on the rod (plus, the family jewels won't get into harms way if you hurry too much trying to sit on the rod). It comes down to what you are comfortable with. The trick is to minimize your exertion. Either method makes you a lot more mobile than using a harness and belt.
And another one: I believe Stasi Velonikis ("The Mad Greek") was the first guy to use the rail as a primary technique for catching tuna. His rods were made with a 2 foot extension to the butt section, and he put the butt on the deck, sat on the rod with the forearm on the rail, and used leverage to move the fish. He would sit down, and as the rod straitened, raise up, and crank. Simple but very effective technique to kill a tuna, with minimal effort on the angler. I use a different style, I put the rod on the rail, under my left arm, squat down on my knees to move the fish, and when the rod tip comes up, raise up and crank. You can put the rod under either arm, if you need to, if you're in a crowd. Other people have different styles, and can offer their technique, or tips on using the rail. You need a rod designed to fish the rail, but there are lots of those. I have an 8 1/2 foot rail rod, an 850H, but they can be 5 1/2 feet to 10 feet, and it works pretty much the same. Anybody who is longrange fishing, needs to develop their own "Rail Technique", to kill tuna quickly and with minimum effort. Rex, you know I am a firm believer in using the rail. Every time the boat rocks it pulls the fish up and when it rocks back the other way you get your cranks. I use both techniques actually; when near the stern where the rail is lower I sit on the back of the rod and use my body weight to lift and then stand to get a wind. Up near the bow I put the rod under my left armpit with the fore grip of the rod placed on the rail. I'm only 5' 7" so this style of fishing suits me perfectly. In fact, I don't remember the last time I had to use my OTR harness…However, the rail technique is most effective when the fish is straight up and down and that usually doesn't happen right away. I have had big yellowfin stay up high and circle the boat for long periods of time. Because of the angle of the line it is difficult to get the same amount of "lift". Without the harness you are forced to use your back and arms until the fish tires and starts to circle deep and this part of the battle can be physically taxing on the body.
I've considered using the harness during the first phase then switching to the rail to kill the fish near the end but I find the drop plates and harness to be cumbersome while fishing. In the end I would just suck it up and hang on until I could use the rail effectively.
Finally, Kil (KSONG) is known for using the rail as well, even toting his own “Porta Rail” along for boats where the rail is too low. I have posted some pictures (with his permission) below—including one where the rod broke. However, I think I remember hearing that that was the blank—not Kil or the rail itself!
(I am having trouble getting the photos to post--I will send them to T.J.)
Photographs: