Party Boat Popping Rod

[Bazztex]

Randy

On a Charter Boat in the GOM with 30+ folks during a wide open bite... it's all about control which I also learned the hard way. You really need 50# Minimum to have some control over a fired up 100# YFT. I've had a few on that 50# tackle was no match for... est over 150#.

Most guys/gals have gone to 60# tackle to have more control which has lead to the large Spinning Tackle evolution with the Stella 20000 and Saltiga "Dog Fight" 6500 reels filled with 80# solid core braid. It's easer for the average and experianced angler alike to chunk a popper past the lights with a spinner.

It's harder to use conventional tackle due to the posibility of a backlash but I managed to put 4 YFT over 90# in the boat with a Torium 30 filled with 65# Power Pro and a 100yd Topshot of 50# Sufix Superior last trip. I did loose 3 YFT's well over 100# due to pulled hooks that all went straight down 400yds+.

I'm going with a GUSA SW7060XH and an Avet LX 6/3 filled with 80 Power Pro and a Speros 14000F (Modified with CabonTex Drags) filled with 65# Power Pro /Mamoi 60# topshot and 50# Custom spinner rod this go-round. Being right at 6ft & 210# myself dont hurt my chunking distance... but I sure dont have Popeye arms...LoL

The Slick Butt is a stout nylon butt section that holds up well to abuse and rod holders better than foam and is much lighter than an aluminum unibutt.

We still try to go with the lightest equipment we can get but you still need control. Snagged, TxSeadog, and many more, along with general observation/ trial and error... taught me well!!

Bazz

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Hi Bazz,

Spinning tackle is indeed more suitable for popping, easy no brainer stuff, flick and throw. I haven't gone out much on a party boat fishing but the only time I saw someone cast a popper with a conventional was Kil Song.. he can cast just as far as anyone with a spinner.

Thanks for all the information, hope to be fishing with you guys some day!

Hi MrBill,

Unfortunately this model will be discountinued and Tuna Max blanks are made in Japan. Have fun with your new toys!

Randy

[ksong]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

Randy,
Being from the West Coast, you are probably aware of the "All Spinner" long range trip next year. I was invited to go on this trip, but it is sponsored by Okuma. I'd break every gear on every spinner they brought on board with my pressure style of fishing. If they make rods, I'd get tossed off the boat for snapping to many. Here's some info for you. You probably know the guy putting the trip together.

Trip # 76 3.5 days Sept 16 returns Sept 20 2007



FISHING WITH CAPTAIN MIKE JEWETT!!! "Spinning Rods Only"
This trip is on! Irv Grisbeck called and said we have touched his heart with the spining reel only request and he is doing something great for us. This trip will be sponsored by OKUMA...lots of give aways and prizes. This will be a 3.5 day 3 full days fishing. This is designed as a all spinning trip. Irv also said that this will be a 2 for one price so what it boils down to is the cost will be around $625.00 each person for a 2 person reservation...this price includs food and mex permits... I didn't stutter...that price includes food and mex permits if purchased 2 for 1.........get your partners and let's go. This is trip # 76 for the 2007 season....call Larry at the BG90 office at 858-270-7525 and tell them the spinning trip # 76 for 2007...make reservations early....this one will go quickly.



Hoss

Gunsmoke, Capt. Mike of the BIG Game 90 is an excellent captain. I really enjoyed fishing with Mike on the four day trip a decade ago. We caught tons of tuna though they were mostly small. I might be the only one who caught all tuna with jigs and never touched live bait on the boat. I found out on that trip tuna are very conscious of jig sizes.

[Gunsmoke]

Ksong,
How many years have you been jigging? I just started the new Japanese style of jigging this year. I've jigged diamonds off the rocks for years but this new style is a lot more fun and exhausting. I started taking it serious after the torsa came out.

I've learned one lesson. Drop the jigs the depth where the recorder is marking fish. You can waste a lot of time and arm strength by dropping it to the bottom and jigging to the surface.

[ksong]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

Ksong,
How many years have you been jigging? I just started the new Japanese style of jigging this year. I've jigged diamonds off the rocks for years but this new style is a lot more fun and exhausting. I started taking it serious after the torsa came out.

I've learned one lesson. Drop the jigs the depth where the recorder is marking fish. You can waste a lot of time and arm strength by dropping it to the bottom and jigging to the surface.

I jigged tuna way before Japanese guys invented Japanese style jigging.
Japanese style jigging was born in 1993 when Mr. Mogi Youichi landed a 7 kg amberjack in 70 meter using PE4 line and 80 gram jig. The assist hook system came out first in 1998 or1999.

[berniek]

I've been popping in this part of the world (down under) for quite a few years. We generally target GTs but from time to time, have had the odd yellowfin take the popper.

Some of these yellowfins are a serious size but we tend to see them as a chance capture. I don't know of any guys here who target them specifically with popping gear.

We fish heavy for GTs but that's because they run for cover which yellowfin don't tend to do. Technically, that should allow you to fish a bit lighter but I still wouldn't go below about 50 pound. On a Stella 20000, that'd give you a fair bit of line to play with.

The longer the rod, the further you cast. The longer the popper stays in the water, the more chance you give it to be taken. On the other hand, the compromise is too much length makes it difficult to fight a fish as effectively. About 7.5 feet sounds about ideal but I don't think you'd want to go past 8. On the other hand, I've noticed some of the Japanese brands like Carpenter etc have rods well over 8 feet for this purpose. I'm not sure I'd want to be fighting a big yellowin on a 9 feet rod!

Poppers - BIG! It will need to cast big poppers around the 200 gram mark.

Butt joint is vry convenient for transport.

Look forward to what you come up with with great interest, Randy!

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Originally Posted by berniek

I've been popping in this part of the world (down under) for quite a few years. We generally target GTs but from time to time, have had the odd yellowfin take the popper.

Some of these yellowfins are a serious size but we tend to see them as a chance capture. I don't know of any guys here who target them specifically with popping gear.

We fish heavy for GTs but that's because they run for cover which yellowfin don't tend to do. Technically, that should allow you to fish a bit lighter but I still wouldn't go below about 50 pound. On a Stella 20000, that'd give you a fair bit of line to play with.

The longer the rod, the further you cast. The longer the popper stays in the water, the more chance you give it to be taken. On the other hand, the compromise is too much length makes it difficult to fight a fish as effectively. About 7.5 feet sounds about ideal but I don't think you'd want to go past 8. On the other hand, I've noticed some of the Japanese brands like Carpenter etc have rods well over 8 feet for this purpose. I'm not sure I'd want to be fighting a big yellowin on a 9 feet rod!

Poppers - BIG! It will need to cast big poppers around the 200 gram mark.

Butt joint is vry convenient for transport.

Look forward to what you come up with with great interest, Randy!

Hi Berniek,

I found myself a spot on the Big E trip this weekend, I will bringing a 8' Smith WRC80P/35 to cast poppers and swimbaits up to 150g and a 7'3" Smith WRC Kerama for huge poppers.

Hopefully I get a feel of the yft with both rods in party boat condition; casting, fighting and landing a fish with 30 over fellow anglers. On a private boat, I have no qualms with those rods with better manuevarbility and more deck space to move around.

Another thing I hope to achieve is to find out how big chuggers work out on those YFT, I got my hands on some XXL Hammerhead E Cups (170g) intended for my Tanzania GT trip in Feb, will have to strip some paint and add some character to the poppers before Feb

With 40 fellow anglers on the Big E predominantly using smaller poppers like Yozuri surface bull types, I think it will be very clear how big poppers work against smaller ones on YFT!

[mcgolfer]

hot damn. great to have you onboard the big e with us this weekend randy. looking forward to finally meeting you and watching you and kil song jig your butts offs. i spent my whole time on last week ends trip making sure 2 ladies caught some tuna's. this trip is about me....lol...see you guys onboard the boat.....rick

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Originally Posted by mcgolfer

hot damn. great to have you onboard the big e with us this weekend randy. looking forward to finally meeting you and watching you and kil song jig your butts offs. i spent my whole time on last week ends trip making sure 2 ladies caught some tuna's. this trip is about me....lol...see you guys onboard the boat.....rick

Hi Rick,

Yes it will be great to fish together with all of you guys; who's who of the Texas fishing scene.

Randy

[MrBill]

Randy,
Looking forward to meeting and fishing with you. I put your name on the TFF board waiting list a while back when you expressed interest via PM's. I'm bringing those nice poppers I bought from you along with the three jigging rods I bought from you also. Can't wait to see these new monster poppers. I'll bring a couple of new Stella 20000s with me. If you or Kil need one don't be afraid to ask. You might want to bring some of your own braid as I have them spooled with American stuff. I'm hoping to get a package in the mail today from you. Thanks for shipping so fast. See you in a couple of days. If you or Kill need anything just PM me and I'll bring it.