TUNA / AJ COMPARE

[paul708]

up here we do more TUNA jigging and fishing than AJ
it seems the same rods can be used for both.

when i go down to the NC/SC areas i am looking for more table friendly fish. grouper, tiles.
so i have not really fished for AJ.

what are some of the common rods used.
how about drag settings what size drag is needed for size fish target?
how is the fight compared to a tuna. bacically the same size.
50# tuna to 50# AJ
100# tuna to 100# AJ.

i also want to hear from guys NOT using top shelf,
MAX drag equiptment..
just basic stuff,
what did you use BEFORE the stellas and $$$$ equiptment.

more interested in ROD info.
but reels and drag ratings you fish is good also.

[fishduck]

I have not jigged AJs, but plan to start this year. I have caught plenty of them on trolling rods(51/2' stand up with 6/0 senators). Some of the bigger ones about 65lbs tested the tackle. They fight different than a tuna but just as hard in my opinion. I would say a 50lb tuna = a 50lb AJ and so on.

Fishduck

[paul708]

thanks. good info

[NJNickA]

Hey Paul,
AJ's fight just as hard as a tuna if not harder on the 1st run. A tuna will fight all the way to the boat while the AJ will die out half way through the battle. IMO, I would say the AJ's pull harder...
We were fishing with around 20-25lbs of drag(somtimes more), 170lb leader.. Last time I went for AJ's i was using the 400g jig master you made me and the Hots Wei World, that rod is so light you can jig hard all day with it.
When you going down?? We're headed down this weekend for jigfest 4..

[markc]

i have no problem with big AJs on an trevala 58xxh and a trinidad 40n with pe6 and 200# jinkai leader. i have only caught a handful of blackfins on jigs so far, but i think an AJ fights a little harder, and i dunno about them giving up 1/2 way to the boat. most of the time they only quit when you get them almost all the way up. they are fun to catch, and if you stay near the ledge or whatever they are around you get bit almost every single drop and usually when you get them going you only have to drop it about 50-75'. if you don't get hit on the fall just jerk it a couple times and you are hooked up again.

[KeepItReel]

One big difference I think is that an AJ will immediately head for structure as soon as he bites...and you usually only catch them around hard bottom and wrecks. Therefore, you need a very stout rod and heavy drag for those first few runs. If you let them take more than 25 yards, you are usually going to lose your jig. A tuna on other hand can be subdued with less drag since you can allow them to run.

[captdavdavis01]

Im using a torium 16 and a 30, both on Trevalla xxh rods, PE6 and 60-100 flouro(6-8 ft) with 200 to 300gram jigs.

Both have handled blackfins to 35, yellowfins to 50 and AJ's to 50. No Problem either way.

the Aj will pull a bit harder, but nothing that will blow up your gear.

AJs are usually closer to the bottom while the tunas are usually above them(if they are even around).

Danny

[paul708]

Hey Paul,
AJ's fight just as hard as a tuna if not harder on the 1st run. A tuna will fight all the way to the boat while the AJ will die out half way through the battle. IMO, I would say the AJ's pull harder...
We were fishing with around 20-25lbs of drag(somtimes more), 170lb leader.. Last time I went for AJ's i was using the 400g jig master you made me and the Hots Wei World, that rod is so light you can jig hard all day with it.
When you going down?? We're headed down this weekend for jigfest 4..

thanks nick.
what reel you using on the JM and hots?
yeah the weight is a factor. the JM are not the lightest.

i am hopeing to get a hog grouper this year.
maybe with some AJ's
not sure when is a good time for them.

[paul708]

i have no problem with big AJs on an trevala 58xxh and a trinidad 40n with pe6 and 200# jinkai leader. i have only caught a handful of blackfins on jigs so far, but i think an AJ fights a little harder, and i dunno about them giving up 1/2 way to the boat. most of the time they only quit when you get them almost all the way up. they are fun to catch, and if you stay near the ledge or whatever they are around you get bit almost every single drop and usually when you get them going you only have to drop it about 50-75'. if you don't get hit on the fall just jerk it a couple times and you are hooked up again.

what size are the big AJ's?
how is that trini 40. what drag do you set at?

[Jesse Lockowitz]

One big difference I think is that an AJ will immediately head for structure as soon as he bites...and you usually only catch them around hard bottom and wrecks. Therefore, you need a very stout rod and heavy drag for those first few runs. If you let them take more than 25 yards, you are usually going to lose your jig. A tuna on other hand can be subdued with less drag since you can allow them to run.

Exactly. even on all the topwater aj's we catch, as soon as you hook up, you need to get atleast 4-5 HARD pumps and gain 15yrds of line, because after those few quick yards gained, they shoot straight for whatever you are fishing over, rocks, buoy, arti wreck etc, they go diggin for it!



Jesse