Tip of the week #22

[Andaman Andy]

Micro DFA Tuna Line.


I have used this rig with great effect on Skipjacks, small black fin & Small YFT.

This rig is Killer on smaller size tuna and you maybe surprised at what else chews on it!

First we need a 30-50lb trolling rod to handle the planer without bending to much, I would also recommend 50lb line for the Old Salty #1 you can go lighter but it just takes out the risk in case a slob hits it.

Braid is also good as you will get more depth but can be hard to level wind when you have the of meat on.

Join the line direct to a 135-200lb snap swivel as a double line will add drag and rob you of depth and will also possibly hum, the snap then connects to the planer tow eye.

The tuna line is made up of 20-30ft of 100-150lb mono with a 135lb snap swivel at the planer end, and a 3 - 4.5 inch squid skirt at the business end spaced with beads (I would recommend one big one to start and fill the head of the skirt and smaller ones after to position the hook.) then two more squids spaced roughly 3 -4ft apart by a crimp or a using a dropper knot, these can also have hooks in if smaller bait sized tunas are expected otherwise leave them hook less.

Hooks are up to personal preference but I would use a 3/0 – 6/0 3407ss Mustad.

Different rigs can be made up and stored on plastic leader wheels if you want to change colour size etc. and quickly changed out.

To deploy the rig I just let the tuna line over the side with the rod in the holder and a small amount of drag on, when the line is out and the planer is still at the rod tip I then pickup the rod and free spool it back a short ways then engage the drag.

If the planer has not set I simply raise the rod to the 12 o’clock position then quickly snap the rod down to the horizontal this will set the planer (a 7ft trolling rod will help you here but not crucial) this takes a few goes to get right but when you have it mastered it will become second nature.

Some times a fish may hit the hook less lure and trip the rig, always keep checking the angle of the line to the water for this, but if it does happen just reset the rig as described above.

Position will depend on size of boat and personal preference but I tend to fish it close to the boat.

This is a good way to get into planer fishing without spending “Big bucks” but I am sure once people that have never tried this, they will go on to the bigger setups.

Ok good luck, tight lines and don’t forget to post any pictures of the results!

[O-SEA-D]

Nice write up Andy. Thanks dude

[WAHOONBOX]

WOW.......I NEVER CONSIDERED PULING A CHAIN WAY WAY WAY DOWN DEEP!!!! THANKS FOR THE GREAT TIP ANDY!

[Andaman Andy]

Believe me it works

[Going Deep]

Nice write up and graphics...Will definately try this next time tuna fishing

[Capt. Brian Daley]

I use this as a teaser on my planer for some time now works like a champ

[Andaman Andy]

The big plus for this rig is that you can knock one up for under $20.

[brandon558]

Originally Posted by Andaman Andy

The big plus for this rig is that you can knock one up for under $20.

yeah really! It looks great...deff. gona rig some of these up. Thanks for the TIP!

[lazyfatass247]

I used something very similar to this, down in Mexico, fishing in PV, for Cows. It worked like a charm. The only difference was the planer was replaced with a Rapala with a large lip/ the treble hooks were removed and the mono was tied directly to the end of the Rapala.






Something like this--http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58001?cmCat=CROSSSELL&cmid=PP_P0_1

[Kodi's_Options]

Thanks Andy, Sounds like an interesting idea to try on my planers. My only question is with 20ft of leader if you do happen to catch either a cow or say a 50+ pound yellowfin, how do you leader the fish. I run a 32 center console and my fear would be losing a lot of meat once I got he planer to the rod tip. Too many chances for the fish to run under the boat and hit something undesirable. If I keep running forward I'd have to hand line in a 20 ft leader, possible but not ideal. Can you run the planer off a cleet and rig the chain on a knockout off the planer??? Thanks.