Tackle question

[Plan B]

I have Shimano TLD 50 LRSA reels spooled with 500 yds 60# Spectra with top shot of 200 yds 60# mon. What weight rods should I get?

[gradyfish265]

Get a rod rated for 50-80lb test, You are fishing line between that range, and if you get a big fish on you may want the backbone. Typically a 50lb class reel is matched to a 50lb class rod so that should be the min rating of the rod, a 40lb rating would be the minimum in my opinion. Also depends a little on how you will use the rod, if chunking tuna, a slightly lighter rod can be used, for trolling you want a little heavier. All my 30's and 50's are on rods rated for 50-100lb line. I use custom rods from Kevin Bogan in Pt. Plseant, NJ they run $250+ a rod but are top notch, but expect to wait for them. They are SU 50 and SUR50 rods. I troll and chunk with them and they are awesome!! Not sure of your use, but I recommend using 80 on 50's most guys I know do unless they are tournament fishermen or looking for a record. We use 80, 60 gives you limited drag options if you hook a big one, never apply drag more then 1/3 the line rating, meaning 20 is your max and should be set at strike for maybe 15lbs, I like to fish 16lb at strike, but can bump it to 27lbs if needed, and have this season a few times to stop big BFT. I run 80lb JB hollowcore with a 100+yard topshot of 80lb momoi. My 30W have 520yrds and 50N reels have 620yards.

[tim R]

I have Shimano TLD 50 LRSA reels spooled with 500 yds 60# Spectra with top shot of 200 yds 60# mon. What weight rods should I get?

You could probably go with 80 on the backing, it is certainly alot easier to deal with and much easier to make a connection with 60# mono.

The rod really depends on how & what you are fishing for and where. You certainly do not want to use any kind of stand up harness with the graphite reel. Definitely get Wind On hardware because it's larger and more durable. If price point is a factor get the Fugi guides.

The best thing is to call our store and talk with one of our experts about rod options. Our Melton Gulf series are custom made with our own blanks and are assembled in the U.S. we also make them with a variety of hardware as well, so you can get exactly what you need. 1-800-372-3474. Ask for Andrew, Mike or Hunter and they can help you.

If you want to post your requirments, I am sure one of us will be able to give you a good recommendation and you will not have to wait as we typically keep everything in stock.

[Plan B]

Get a rod rated for 50-80lb test, You are fishing line between that range, and if you get a big fish on you may want the backbone. Typically a 50lb class reel is matched to a 50lb class rod so that should be the min rating of the rod, a 40lb rating would be the minimum in my opinion. Also depends a little on how you will use the rod, if chunking tuna, a slightly lighter rod can be used, for trolling you want a little heavier. All my 30's and 50's are on rods rated for 50-100lb line. I use custom rods from Kevin Bogan in Pt. Plseant, NJ they run $250+ a rod but are top notch, but expect to wait for them. They are SU 50 and SUR50 rods. I troll and chunk with them and they are awesome!! Not sure of your use, but I recommend using 80 on 50's most guys I know do unless they are tournament fishermen or looking for a record. We use 80, 60 gives you limited drag options if you hook a big one, never apply drag more then 1/3 the line rating, meaning 20 is your max and should be set at strike for maybe 15lbs, I like to fish 16lb at strike, but can bump it to 27lbs if needed, and have this season a few times to stop big BFT. I run 80lb JB hollowcore with a 100+yard topshot of 80lb momoi. My 30W have 520yrds and 50N reels have 620yards.

Thank you - very helpful. I fish the canyons of NJ, Wilmington and Baltimore for yellow and Blue fin tuna. mostly on the troll. I am looking at the Fin-Nor power lite stand up 80 weight rods to go with my Shimano 50 LRSA/TLD reels. Any thoughts?

[tim R]

Thank you - very helpful. I fish the canyons of NJ, Wilmington and Baltimore for yellow and Blue fin tuna. mostly on the troll. I am looking at the Fin-Nor power lite stand up 80 weight rods to go with my Shimano 50 LRSA/TLD reels. Any thoughts?

Slick butt's are nice and light, but for trolling a Unibutt is more durable and a better investment (more expensive though) especially if you trolling for tuna. You can still go with the Fugi guides, but I would definitely consider getting wind on roller guides. (at least the tip and maybe the stripper)

Check out our FG custom $389.00 including the butt.
Melton Tackle Florida Gulf Series - Stand-Up/Trolling
Length: 5' 9"
Line Class: 50-80 lb.
Guides: AFTCO Wind-On Rollers
Butt: Detachable Aluminum Straight Butt

The Finnor Powerlite is not a bad construction, but might be a little light for what your doing, Shimano has a very similar rod in the same price range and some heavier ones with detachable unibutts and a wind on tip for $300.00, both companies make these products in China.

We carry all the Shimano rods and usually have them in stock, I know we have this one in stock in Kona, HI.

[gradyfish265]

If your fishing bft go with a metal butt, yeah it weighs more, but it will stand up better. We had a few big BFT from 150-200 caught on various bots this year as well as my own using my rods and my buddies who has identical gear. A 180bft was landed on a 30W with no problems. What ever rod you buy, buy one with a metal butt, either pac bay or aftco are recommended. Anything graphite can break and I've seen it happen, not worth chancing a rod and reel going plop in the water when your investing this type of money, especially with the BFT you can find where you fish. I would highly recommend atleast a roller stripper as minimum on a rod since you may encounter bigger fish, but if you will make a decent amount of trips for BFT and might target marlin as well, full rollers would be best to eliminate most wear on the line. I use roller tips on my 30W and my 50N have full rollers since they troll heavier gear ie 10"+ lures, birds, spreader bars, or lures from planers. Any 80lb class rod would be a good bet. Rule of thumb, chuinking rods can get away without rollers since your not putting a lot of pressure on the tip for long periods of time in one location, when trolling the line is under pressure for a bit of time under stress, that is why rollers are best if you plan to troll, I'd assume you will. Since it is the offseason I'd seriously look into custom rods from a builder in your area, custom builders give you the best bang for your buck. Melton's rods are very ncie and good quality as well.

The Fin Nor power lite will not handle a tuna on the troll, their offshore series is too light as well. You need to go to the big game series for tuna fishing. I'd recommend the FBGSU50R Stand-Up 5'9" 50# AFTCO Wind-On Roller AFTCO Unibutt, Gimble
FBGSU80R Stand-Up 5'9" 80# AFTCO Wind-On Roller AFTCO Unibutt, Gimble
Either will suit you well, but not sure of their price

For a good rod, you will need to spend $250+
If price is an issue look at the Shimano Tallus rods, they are economical and a decent rod and will match your reels well. For BFT fishing though, ideally you want a rod with a little give in the tip, maybe first 6" of bend, but then a stiff rod with backbone after, the soft tip allows inexperienced anglers as well as experienced who may make an error fighting the fish some lea way from losing the fish, I've seen too many bft lost from guys over working the rod on rods that were too stiff and they tore a big hole in the fishes jaw and then lost it after a big fight.

[tim R]

Man considering grandyfish265 is a naval architect and I am an Industrial engineer this is going to be the best consult anyone has got on a rod....

Still, it comes down to who you want to take to the prom...If there is a tackle store near by or someone who has a variety of the rods in the range you are looking for it's tough to make the decision until product is in hand...

I like Gradyfish265's selection of using 30W Tiagras with spectra backing because you can harness in to these and pull hard, but for the fish you are targeting and the reel you have it comes down to cranking speed because you can't harness into a graphite reel, so the rod you want needs a fast taper and a long foregrip (easier on the angler, tougher on the fish).

If your trolling, the stiffer the rod the better and the more wind on roller guides the better (with a fast taper)...I would definitely get something that is a true 80...Do not buy one of the B.S. 40-100's or so, made by the masses that bends like a bass rod.

The custom guy Gradyfish mentioned or Melton Tackles rod shop sound like the best bet if you can afford it, the nice thing about both is they can make exactly what you need and do in the U.S. and suport it as such...

Sorry, it's an election year, but made in the U.S. on these type of rods is usually a better value and price for what you are shopping for.

Yes some foreign made rods are okay and an acceptable value if they suit your needs...