220 lbs (estimated) bluefin with 200g jigging rod

[kilsong]

It was another fun day.
I didn't use 200g Black Hole Cape Cod Special if I have any doubt the rod can handle 200 lbs bluefin.
As l let Capt Dom use my JM PE8 reel, I used Saltiga 40 filled with 80 lbs Tuf line. I was a little concerned it would take time with Saltiga if I have a 200 lbs tuna as the max drag of the reel is only 23 - 25 lbs.
Unfortunately (?) it became reality.
Tuna took my 180g Labo LC jig on the drop. On the drop, I detected tuna took my jig and I locked the drag lever as tuna started to take line. Fish On !!
The tuna didn't take much line, but I knew it was a big tuna as I felt the weight. Tuna didn't make any spectacular run, but it didn't give up easily either. Whenever I gained the line, it took it back.
I knew it would take long time to land the fish and I was ready for long battle. I lost many battles with big bluefin in the past, but I won this time. The fork length was 72.5".


fighting with 200g BH Cape Cod Special rod.






180g Labo LC jig and OTI 10/0 assist hook used


surface lures tested


live lifting test of 8' graphite BH prototype rod. The striped bass looks small in the picture, but it is about 25 lbs

[triumph]

It was another fun day.
I didn't use 200g Black Hole Cape Cod Special if I have any doubt the rod can handle 200 lbs bluefin.
As l let Capt Dom use my JM PE8 reel, I used Saltiga 40 filled with 80 lbs Tuf line. I was a little concerned it would take time with Saltiga if I have a 200 lbs tuna as the max drag of the reel is only 23 - 25 lbs.
Unfortunately (?) it became reality.
Tuna took my 180g Labo LC jig on the drop. On the drop, I detected tuna took my jig and I locked the drag lever as tuna started to take line. Fish On !!
The tuna didn't take much line, but I knew it was a big tuna as I felt the weight. Tuna didn't make any spectacular run, but it didn't give up easily either. Whenever I gained the line, it took it back.
I knew it would take long time to land the fish and I was ready for long battle. I lost many battles with big bluefin in the past, but I won this time. The fork length was 72.5".


fighting with 200g BH Cape Cod Special rod.






180g Labo LC jig and OTI 10/0 assist hook used


surface lures tested


live lifting test of 8' graphite BH prototype rod. The striped bass looks small in the picture, but it is about 25 lbs

Nice pics and catch

[JuniorJigs]

More and more i am seeing people using the Labo LC jigs, where can i purchase them. Might be a stupid question but why is the price so high for them on websites that i have found. Is there a special feature to them or anything like that.

[gottaflylee]

Congrats Kil, that is a nice fish...

[kilsong]

More and more i am seeing people using the Labo LC jigs, where can i purchase them. Might be a stupid question but why is the price so high for them on websites that i have found. Is there a special feature to them or anything like that.

.
Most Japanese jigs including Labo jigs are expensive as they are original ones. There is no reason to use expensive jigs as cheap 8 oz hammered diamond jig work as well.
I started with Labo jigs as those jigs worked great for bluefin in NC this winter.

[JfISHkING]

Nice work Kil... Glad to you see you land that fish on the bh250... thats awesome.

[kilsong]

Nice work Kil... Glad to you see you land that fish on the bh250... thats awesome.

I am going up there tomorrow again.
I'll see how much time I can shorten with my JM PE8 reel this time.

[Double D]

Nice fish and report, Kil. How long did it take to land?

[Sea Draggin]

Nice one Kilsong. You know I enjoy the lighter rod action.

Good job.

[kilsong]

Nice fish and report, Kil. How long did it take to land?

It took 1 hour 31 minutes.
It was not because of the rod, but because of light max drag of Saltiga 40. With 22 - 24 lbs drag, it was hard to gain lines. I hope I hook up another 200 plus lbs tuna tomorrow. With JM PE8 reel i can put much more pressure on tuna.