[IroncladShad]

Hey Guys, I want to start out by saying this is a great site that I have been visiting for a while, but this is my first post. I have a trip booked with DSH next week and need some advice. I have a chunking, and a jigging set up but now it is time for a popping rig. I have a $400 dollar budget for a combo, but I think I might have a rod that will do the trick. The rod is a custom rod that I bought last year online from a guy from the west coast. I can not ID the blank but I believe it is a seeker. I can tell you that it is almost identical to 7 foot ugly stick tiger stick 30/80. The rod is a little bit bigger in diameter and about 2 inces longer. Questions are do you think this rod will have the backbone for fighting YFT, if so what conventional reel would you pair it with. Any input would be greatly apprecieated.

 

[xs_tackle]

How much backbone do you want for fighting tuna? On a headboat, for popping for YFT, I think 30# or 40# line is too light (not b/c it can't be done, it can) because you risk more interference with/from other anglers or delay of boat). You could use 50# line (fighting w/ 12-15# drag and a rod that will lift 12-15#), 60# line (fighting w/15-20# drag and a corresponding rod) or even 80# line (20-27# drag).

Don't know how much your rod will lift? Test it by lifting some wts you feel comfortable to lift on line strung thru the rod guides. Obviously, be careful not to break your rod. You can use a bucket or a milk jug + tap water (pint's almost a pound). Select your drag setting based on however much of your rod's lifting power you want to use.

 

[jig]

Are you comfortable tossing poppers with a conventional reel? I stubbornly did it for a few Big E trips, then broke down and got a spinner. I almost never see anyone throw a conventional reel anymore. Most just cannot get the distance necessary. Even though folks say you can cast a conventional farther, its awfully hard with a big topwater.

 

[Snagged]

The advantage of a spinner is the lack of backlashes when things get exciting. In general you are better off with a spinner, but a conventional will work as well for less money.

 

[Uncle Russ]

Never having caught a yellow fin on a popper yet, I will not weigh in on that aspect, although I have to agree wholeheartedly with Snagged that unless you are far far better casting a conventional than I am, you would be much better off with a spinner--but then you did state the budget limitation.

What I can weigh in on is how you don't want to use anything too light on a party boat. The Captain of the Big E allowed some dude on our trip to ruin what probably amounted to 2 or 3 drifts by playing a fish for almost 2 hours on what amounted to really strong bass tackle. And rumor (can't say if for sure) was that he was a buddy of the Captain's and had done it before. When the Big E is back in the water, our group will discuss that with the new managers before we go again. (As a side note, the same guy took JasonL's ribeye steak off the grill and ate it--shows you that selfishness manifests itself in many ways.) This is another thing you don't want to do, because getting between Jason and his food dish is kind of like trying to steal Alpo from a pit bull.

I wonder if the boat you are going on might rent big spinners. That might be a good solution and hang on to the $400.00 until you can pick up a Stella and an OTI popping rod.

Russ

 

[SpecialK]

Never having caught a yellow fin on a popper yet, I will not weigh in on that aspect, although I have to agree wholeheartedly with Snagged that unless you are far far better casting a conventional than I am, you would be much better off with a spinner--but then you did state the budget limitation.

What I can weigh in on is how you don't want to use anything too light on a party boat. The Captain of the Big E allowed some dude on our trip to ruin what probably amounted to 2 or 3 drifts by playing a fish for almost 2 hours on what amounted to really strong bass tackle. And rumor (can't say if for sure) was that he was a buddy of the Captain's and had done it before. When the Big E is back in the water, our group will discuss that with the new managers before we go again. (As a side note, the same guy took JasonL's ribeye steak off the grill and ate it--shows you that selfishness manifests itself in many ways.) This is another thing you don't want to do, because getting between Jason and his food dish is kind of like trying to steal Alpo from a pit bull.

I wonder if the boat you are going on might rent big spinners. That might be a good solution and hang on to the $400.00 until you can pick up a Stella and an OTI popping rod.

Russ
That could be a really good thought there. Never even considered asking.

 

[Guest]

I will be on that boat as well - look for the guy with the beat up Phillies hat!

Well - that assumes we'll get to go.

What everyone said is right - however on the Gulf Eagle we only have 15 guys going, not 40 like on the Big E. I know it is a smaller boat, but 40 guys on a 130 footer is still a lot (I believe we had 30 on the 140 foot viking earlier this year). you'll have a bit more room to maneuver, but don't be that guy who is fighting a 40lb yellowfin for an hour!

Just realized you asked for conventional. I'm going to try getting a YF on my daiwa saltist 40....but only after we've boated a bunch since that'll be on the upper limits of that reel/rod. For popping, I'm using a penn 9500 and a 6'6" rod rated for 40-80#.

 

[Ragman]

I've seen Trini-40's do very well casting and landing YFT's. But the user was a great caster. I only saw a couple of back lashes, but he got great distance with a Yozuri Hydro Tiger!

 

[IroncladShad]

Thanks for the input guys. I do have a 9500 that I bought but very seldom use. For some reason I don't like fishing with spinners. One thing I did learn on last years trip is if you do not get the distance while throwing topwaters you won't get bit. So to be safe I will stick with it. Any suggestions on a rod to pair it with in the $200 range? Thanks again guys.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the input guys. I do have a 9500 that I bought but very seldom use. For some reason I don't like fishing with spinners. One thing I did learn on last years trip is if you do not get the distance while throwing topwaters you won't get bit. So to be safe I will stick with it. Any suggestions on a rod to pair it with in the $200 range? Thanks again guys.
Mine was like $150 from FTU - just their standard heavy spinning rod. I think it's 6'6". I plan on getting a nice hopper rod and a conventional jigging reel for my january trips. This one will suffice just fine I imagine.

Actually hopper rods are about the same price - i'd look into them

 

[SpecialK]

This would be your ideal choice and the price is right!
http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f37/brand-new-oti-7-spinning-rod-sale-1705/

 

[Snagged]

This would be your ideal choice and the price is right!
http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f37/brand-new-oti-7-spinning-rod-sale-1705/
That IS the ideal rod at this time.

 

[IroncladShad]

SpecialK, That looks like a great deal, but I think I will have to wait until the last minute to make a decision. I will be in Rockport thur, and don't want to buy a new rod unless I know for sure the trip is a go. Do you know if Roy's are any other shop down ther carreis OTI?

 

[awesum]

Do you know if Roy's are any other shop down ther carreis OTI?

No they don't carry OTI rods at this time. I'm in Roy's a couple of times a week and I can promise you that you won't find a spinning rod on their shelf that would be anywhere near the deal Chris is offering.

I haven't checked Port A Outfitters lately so you might check there.

I think you will need it at some time anyway even if this trip doesn't go.

BTW I haven't looked at the forecast .... any reason to think it won't go?

 

[Snagged]

Roy's does carry OTI rods, the price is higher.

 

[IroncladShad]

They are calling 4' to 6', but we all know that will change. Plus in my experience with that forcast they will still go out. If I ever fished with spinners I would jump on it, but I more than likely will only use it once. The last thing I want to do is to be out there with the topwater bite going off and not be prrepared. Tough decision.

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

been on that boat in 10's... it was fun. Had to wedge yourself ina corner and pay attention to what your line was doing... Cant bogart the corner though..

 

[fishr1989]

Mine was like $150 from FTU - just their standard heavy spinning rod. I think it's 6'6". I plan on getting a nice hopper rod and a conventional jigging reel for my january trips. This one will suffice just fine I imagine.

Actually hopper rods are about the same price - i'd look into them


How are the hopper rods? Are they good on the line ratings with the stated line being what you can fish?

They look like pretty good rods for the money, would they be a good starter jigging rods?

 

[papio]

Yes, the Hoppers are great starter rods. I've set aside my higher end Japanese rods and use my Hopper and Boca trying to wear and break them and I'm still trying. I like the blanks their pretty sturdy.

 

[Guest]

How are the hopper rods? Are they good on the line ratings with the stated line being what you can fish?

They look like pretty good rods for the money, would they be a good starter jigging rods?
they feel like very good rods to me, i actually like their feel better than the shimanos. they're very strong, and I think a good multi-purpose rod. i plan on using them for tuna jigging, AJ fishing and even red snapper fishing.

For the price I think they're excellent. Now, that being said, once I'm able to use it on the water, I'll be able to give a better review....this is just from playing with them in the store