If Could Have Only One?

[Uncle Russ]

I am one of those who always like to ask myself and others the question: "If you could only have one XXX, what would you choose? This has always been a question hashed over in the gun world--only one rifle--only one shotgun--only one handgun, and so forth.

So I want to ask everyone to share your view (I looked but did not see that this had been done before, and if so, my apologies,) on:

What one single rod/reel/line combo would you choose to take with you for an all-around offshore trip into the Gulf of Mexico for, oh, let us say a 52 hour trip on a head boat where there would be no trolling?

This rig would have to cover all the usual suspects: deep drop, chunking and live bait, jigging, making bait, and casting--both for tuna and any smaller critters that showed up on or near the surface such as mahi mahi, ling, etc.

I never really started thinking about this until I got my ATD12 loaded up with 80 pound JB hollow. I rigged it up on several Calstars--the 760H, 7465H, and finally the 700H. And it occurred to me how great a combo this would be for an all-around rig, if I could only tote one out on a boat like the Big E. The reel is quite a bit heavier than you would want for jigging, scary as hell to cast for a spinning freak like me at least, but certainly acceptable, and damned near perfect for a combination of deep bottom fishing and chunking etc. You could even toss a sibiki rig with a fairly heavy sinker a little way out. Considering that the topwater bite seems to be only a limited amount of the time of each trip into the Gulf, it might be perfect.

My other possible choice would be the Accurate Twinspin 30 on the Calstar 700XH spinner I own. Not real great for chunking, but it could certainly handle that if you stayed ready all the time and would be better for jigging (9 ounces lighter) and for casting (after all, it is a spinner). I guess a Stella would be just as good, but as Gunsmoke said in an earlier thread, the Twinspin really does appear to be the strongest spinner out there.

So, my choice, to pin myself down would be the ATD12 on the Calstar 700H although if I did decide to cast poppers with it, I would replace the hollow line with 80 pound solid.

So that is the opinion of one novice tackle ho--but compared to some of you, I am just a cheap, dog-eared overweight, 2-dollars for 30 minutes, back-alley ho. I would like to hear from all of you--including the really high-dollar Vegas-type call-girl hos out there like mcgolfer, Gunsmoke, xstackle, gman, MrBill and also the quiet but really knowledgable types like minnow, alantani, kilsong--you all know who you are.

Russ

[Minnow]

OTI 7'6 80lb rod with Shimano Stella 20k, spool with 80lb Depthfinder line.
I can jig, chunk, trolling, live bait, bottom fish, ohh forget to mention cast popper with it.

[gman]

your just looking fro another excuse to buy a reel Uncle Russ LMAO

Im very jealous of your new atd 12, if I wasnt changing my lifestyle and going into business for myself right now I would jump on one

[Snagged]

I can't do it.

[Gunsmoke]

If I could only have one, I'd stop fishing. The best thing about any sport is the ability to buy more than you need. We are all guilty of that.

I don't fish party boats so my answer is going to be different from others. My pick would be an ATD 130 with a Ian Miller Cairns 130 bent butt rod. My gun choice would be a 460 Wby. mag. Better to go heavy then be a light weight.

If I was only into going to floaters, I think that would be one tough choice. The fact that we have a top water bite on tuna causes problems with a single choice of a reel. It's one the more exciting blood flowing activities in the gulf. Watching those tuna bust the surface after your plug is second to a big blue taking a lure.

When that marlin turns and leaves a hole in the water, your reel is screaming and chaos begins. Trolling isn't for everyone. It can be complete boredom and seconds later the ultimate orgasm.

Back to your pick. If I only fished floaters at night I think I would either pick the Stella 20K or the Twinspin30. It's easy to toss plugs and I like sending out a chunk on a big spinner. Using a spinner to pull up AJ's and grouper is tough. I'd rather use a conventional for bottom fishing. I also like the big bait caster style reels. If the wind isn't blowing to hard, I find them easy to cast. If I could only pick one, it would be the 665W 2speed. I can cast a Torsa very well.

As far as rods go, I like a stick with backbone. I'm not into fighting a fish for long periods of time. Pressure fishing is fun. If the hook pulls, so what. At least got to feel how heavy the fish was before he came un-plugged.

[xs_tackle]

For the NW Gulf, I'd pick an Accurate 665H 2-spd loaded w/500 yd 60# JB Line One hollow spectra+50 yd 80# hollow Line One+ 10 yd topshot on a Seeker CJBF70H. That rig would allow me to toss topwater lures, flyline baits to GOM tuna, flyline chunks, and even do a little jigging--all the jigging I want to do. Too light for monster grouper or AJ's. My life is simplified by the fact I don't at this time care to use a spinner. A year ago, I would have picked a different rig; and a year before that a still different one. I change and the technology is changing, too.

[DeepBlueGulf]

That's just wrong to ask a question like that! But my answer is an Avet HX on a Calstar 700H, about 450 yds of 80lb Hollow and I'd be good to go.


Tom - DBG

[gman]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

\Pressure fishing is fun. If the hook pulls, so what. At least got to feel how heavy the fish was before he came un-plugged.

I couldnt agree more, I pop alot of fish off becuase of drag but I would rather be bent up and in pain actually doing battle with the beast than line management. You said it pefectly

[lite-liner]

Accurate 665H-2 on a Calstar 700h, 400y 80# jb hollow. that said,
I can already see where it would have it's shortcomings, comfort-wise.
If I was throwing big topwaters all night, I'd definately want a spinner.
if that, it'd have to be that Zenaq 83-5 w/ a stella 20000. BooYa!
lotta damn scratch fer that chit, though. might be a while
-B

[jig]

665W 2sd, 300yds 80#spectra and about 150yds 60#mono topshot. Currently on a 6.5' Ugly stik 50-80.