Tuna Rods

[B.C.]

I have been looking to replace my trolling rods for awhile now. It used to be easy just go to your local tackle shop and pick up a set. Now there are so many options it makes it very confusing. Storabutts or unibutts, Wind on rollers or standard rollers, tip selection. The we get into blanks, blank color, thread color and patterns. Where do you start?

[paul708]

choose OAL to your style of fishing for standup 5-6' depending on how much clearance you need
trolling from chair a longer sometimes stiffer rod
standard HD rollers for up to about 50#
windons usually for 60#
a good set of ring guides can be used for up to 80#
blanks..there are alot of good choices..
for high end rods the GF calstar or superseeker
All the rest is personal preference, such as
blank color
thread color
and patterns

most guys just get something different or unique to them with patterns..
colors to match the boat colors, or favorite sports team..

[gradyfish265]

Depends what your use and needs are. I use 5'9" rods for my trolling and chunking needs, matched with 30W and 50N reels, I fish all 80lb hollowcore and 80lb momoi topshots. My base rod is a 50-100lb blank with just a roller tip, for chunking tuna and trolling only daisy chains or single lures off these rods, I do not need full roller guides. My 50N reels I use for trolling my bars of deep middle line, these get more wear so I use the same blank but with full roller guides. My rods are all custom built by Kevin Bogan in Pt. Pleasant, NJ. I did not opt for aftco butts, I have pacbay butts, they have a lifetime replacement warranty and honestly I can barely tell the difference between them except for the brand stamped on them.

Recommendations:

5'6"-6' rod depending on needs, I have 5'9" because I need to clear my outboards on my notched transom, brackets need 6', possibly more, inboards will be good with a 5'6" usually although look into a 5'9" if you can get one, it is a nice compromise and great feel. If you troll from a chair, typically the rod is longer, often over 7', but length should ideally be determined by your particular boat and your chair, you want to try and reach all corners of the cockpit or close to it to keep the line from hitting gunnels if possible.

Roller guides, if you only plan to target tuna, a roller tip and maybe a stripper are plenty with good ring guides, if your lures are large such as bars or big birds that create a bit of resistence, you may want full rollers, but it is not a necessity. If you may target marlin or giant tuna, then you may want wind on guides.

as for storabutt or uni butt, that is personal pref, a unibutt is good for most applications and can quickly be broken down for storage onboard. If storage is more at a premium, a storabutt will break down futrther allowing more room, and will also allow you to switch from a curved to a straight butt if you wish. If you have no need to do that, a unibutt is all you need.

As for wrap colors, get what you like, I'd suggest something that matches your reel color, probably gold, and another color, either a color you like or something that matches a bit of your boat. My rods are black blanks with blue and gold wraps, my rods are blue Avet's, so they look nice and also match my boat which is light blue.

I agree with Paul, calstar and seeker blanks are typically high end, there are a few other blanks that are really good, but pick one with an acion you like.

I know there are many options, but buying a custom rod is a great option, and honestly I will not buy a store bought rod anymore, both inshore and offshore. For the price and quality, nothing beats a custom rod, plus being able to have it built to meet your needs is worth it in itself. Find a custom rod builder near you who has a good rep and will take the time to explain components to you and see what suits you best. Before I bought my rods, I went to Kevin Bogan and many others, Kevin was willing to take the time to see what my purpose was, then he explained my choices, showed me blanks explained why one may suit my needs over another, but never tried to sell me anything I did not need, my rods do not have all the options he offers, he knew I did not need all that for my use. I felt very comfortable buying from him so I ordered a set, now I am outfitting my whole boat with his rods, my offshore rods will all be switched over by May, and my inshore hopefully by midsummer if I have the funds.

[B.C.]

Paul,
Do you have any Pictures of the rods we were looking at in Somerset? Did you find any info on the Penn rods we talked about?

[paul708]

the blue ones. yes i do. i will try to send you the pics.

[B.C.]

Paul, how many colors do the blanks come in? I think I am almost ready.
6' Calstar or Seeker
Aftco Storabutts
Wind on rollers

[paul708]

calstar and seeker can be black or the graphite grey..some come in the tan color,or white..
the superseeker are brown with a tangerine tint, but the power makes up for the color
and then most any blank can be colored
i have done yellow, blue, red. and a few shades of green,

dont forget to get that other rod to me if you want your name on it

[B.C.]

Paul,
are you going to the show in Somers Point on Sat?

[paul708]

i am thinking about it
not 100% yet

i am going to try to get to the jiggin part

[B.C.]

Let me know if your going, I will get that jigging rod to you.