recurveman Report post Posted June 7, 2018 So when I go on a boat I run a 20# avet SX with a 8' 15-30# rod (bait). 20# penn spinning rod (jigs). A 30# Avet JX 2 speed (over kill but versatile) on a 7' rod. A 40# Avet JX 2 speed on a 7' rod. A 60# HX 2 speed on a 7' rod. 80# trolling rod. All but the trolling rod are spectra backed and I always run 25' or more floro top shot. So, if I had to put this in order of most used I would say my 20# bait rod, 20# spinning rod, 40# bait rod, 30#, 80# 60#. If you are doing a 3 day or under trip I would have a 20# bait and a 40# rod. You can put a 30# leader on the 40# rod and do just fine. I would buy the absolute best reel and rod you can afford and just buy one. Don't buy two that are marginal. Buy top gear and less of it. Start with 20# then the 40# and go from there. Heavy gear rarely gets used (though the last few years have been a bit different. If you are on a budget look at the diawa Sealine reels. They are awesome and I ran them for years. If $$ is no object look at avet/accurate/ ect. My gear took me 10-15 years to acquire and upgrade as needed. All my gear is custom and all the rods are exactly alike. It took years and is absolutely over kill but a blast. Last year I went on a 5.5 day trip and my go to rod was 40# but I still used my 20# rod a bunch. Finally used my 60# rod on some bigger tails (must have brought that rod along for years before I really actually needed it) 2 speeds are cool but I really don't think they have much purpose until you hit 40# and even then only sometimes. I caught a bigger model BFT a few years back and it was awesome to have a 2 speed reel. Still took me 45 minutes to get him to the boat. Keep in mind that a ton of fish have been caught with a penn 500 and a jig stick. Equipment makes it easier to get them to the boat sometimes but getting bit is the key to the whole game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biglakejake Report post Posted June 9, 2018 it can cost you your boat to take a bft in the adriatic...so who care how long it takes to release one lol... https://youtu.be/tVGR-SGefRI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
recurveman Report post Posted June 11, 2018 I usually use a longer top shot of flouro. On my 20# rig I usually use 100 yards of top shot and normally 25 yards on all of my other rigs. I don't like using only 3-4 feet and then having to tie new leaders on all the time. I just put a bunch on and cut it off as needed and don't have to worry about putting on new leaders all the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted June 11, 2018 the yt in ca must be a lot more line shy. in sonora theyll eat straight braid or 40-50lb mono no problema Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
