Going out on a tuna trip... - California Fishing

DementedFish · 06-18-2004, 11:34 PM

Hey guys. I'm going out on an OverNighter for tuna and yellowtail probably next weekend with my friend chris out of Dana Point. Ive never been fishing for tuna before so im gonna need some MAJOR help. I'm just guessing, but would i want to fly line a baitfish? I'm probably gonna use 20 lb mono, is this too light? I wouldnt think so.

ANY tips would be greatly appreciated. I NEED all the information you have to share with me. Thanks!

jstcrzyengh · 06-19-2004, 02:41 AM

bring 25 and 30, 20 is too light, unless you have caught either of these species before. Also better advise. Fish out of San diego. Longer fishing time and more and bigger fish

PhishMeister · 06-19-2004, 03:04 AM

I would check out allcoastsportfishing.com for more information......
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/...mID47/456.html

If you have questions then post it on this board. These guys are hardcore Tuna fisherman. From what I've heard 15# to 20# is good enough for albies. When the time comes for paddy hopping, then that's when I would definitely bust out with the 25#-30#. The reason being is that those yellowtails can pull your line into the kelps which may result in a lost of fish (getting farmed).

If you prefer an easier way to hook up a fish then I would recommend fly lining bait. Usually the first bait in the water has a higher chance of hooking up. Be sure that the trolling line is not in the way when you're fishing the slide. Unless you're a hell of a good fisherman where as you won't get your line tangled.

By the way, what kind of arsenal are you planning on taking (rod & reel combo)?

cst · 06-19-2004, 11:19 AM

big hammer has an article on fishing "the slide", whatever tha is

PilotBryson · 06-19-2004, 04:39 PM

Sean, here are some tips that I learned from my first trip out of San Diego. First off, go out of San Diego. We only had about 5 hours of fishing time going out of San Diego, so out of Dana you can expect about 4 hours. For the yellows, most time is spent searching for kelp, so you really don't get much fishing time. 2/0 live bait hooks, 25 pound test, a strong pole, a good reel, and most of all, A HEALTHY AND LIVELY SARDINE. Hope this helps.

DementedFish · 06-19-2004, 05:20 PM

So you guys really think that 20 lb test is too light?

PilotBryson · 06-19-2004, 05:42 PM

The fish aren't line shy. I know people who fish nothing less than 60-80 pound test, which is WAY overboard in my opinion, but it serves as a guideline to show that you can't go with too heavy line. When you hook that 25-35 pound fish, you're going to wish you had 25-30 pound test, because 20 won't cut it.

jstcrzyengh · 06-19-2004, 05:47 PM

Bryson it was about a four hour trip from San Diego, even though the fish are closer, from Dana point it is about a 7 hour trip. So Sean figure 7 hours up and back, or they just wont fish the good areas. Figure a total of four hours to fish... Not very good. It's worth the extra cash to go out of San Diego. Also the fish CAN be line shy. I have been out there and the only thing getting bit was 12lb. Everyone else around me was throwing 25 and 30. You WILL lose fish, but its better to have hooked up, than to have never hooked up at all.

fishinkid · 06-19-2004, 06:41 PM

20 is a good size line with the size of fish out there right now though you may want to bring a thirty pound rig if the bite lets lose because you will land fish quicker and be in the water faster. then you want to flyline baits but bring some siders mainly 1/2 and smaller if fish are a little under the water or if biger fish are under the small ones. and you realy want a bellybutton because even if you are pulling on small fish your going to have a nice bruise at the end of the day.and the bigest thing is to make sure your bait is in front of you.

DementedFish · 06-22-2004, 12:02 PM

I have a new spool of 40 lb triline big game at home. Too heavy?

I'm gonna bring 2 setups. One w/ 40, and one with 20.

DementedFish · 06-22-2004, 12:07 PM

O yea and Pfish, I'm going to be using a Shimano TR-100G probably on a 7ft Shakespeare Tidewater rod. Also, I have a 8ft Beach Comber Spinning Reel and Rod. The Shimano is my first choice.

jstcrzyengh · 06-22-2004, 12:54 PM

Dont bring a spinning rod on a tuna trip lol Wait do bring one. It will be funny to see it explode. Have you ever seen a newell explode? THAT is some funny ####. $200 for a reel that cant even handle the fish they say they can. Graphite can only do so much

cst · 06-22-2004, 01:00 PM

rofl spinning reels explode?

Sharkbait · 06-22-2004, 01:02 PM

FishinKid knows what he's talking about. 20 pound line is fine but also have a 25 or 30lb rig. A 15 pound albie is not going to break you off in the rocks lol. There is no structure out there so no worries. Big fish can be caught on light line in open water, it will just take longer to reel in. Take small sliders 1/4-1/2 and small spit shots. Have hooks for chovies and dines. Stand by the bait tank waiting for a jig stop. Once you hear "HOOKUP" grab a lively bait and cast it out in the corner asap and let you bait go back until you get hit. You'll notice everyone fishing only on one side of the boat. I recomend fishing the same side as everyone else. The reason why they fish that side is because thats the side where the current is going out and thats where you'll catch fish. When you get hit, let the fish run a little but not too long. Like mentioned before, keep your line in front of you at all times and get a fighting belt, it will make things easier for you. Tuna fishing is very different from the 1/2 day trips.

Anthony

cst · 06-22-2004, 01:08 PM

i havent done much big game fishing but cant you use your shoulder instead of your belly?