Another rod/reel setup

[jayjysmth]

Hey guys, I am thinking about pulling the boat up to Oregon Inlet in a couple months to do some yft fishing. Right now I use Okuma Convectors and Penn 310/320 GTI's with 20-30lb test. Will I get crushed fishing for yellowfin up there or will they just be long battles. I dont know if I want to go out and buy 5 new setups for yft since I normally will be down in MHC most of the year and these setups seem to work pretty well with kings and mahi down there. Just let me know what you think bc I dont want to head up there and get killed but would also like to give it a shot. I'll be fishing from a cc boat if this gives a little more insight. THanks and I appreciate all of your help.

[gottaflylee]

jayjysmth, if you hapen to run into Bigeye one day you will get crushed. Last year we were there fishing whites with TLD 30's and had Bigeyes jump us...it was not purrtty and fought one for 1 & 1/2 hours with 4 guys that knew what they were doing. OUCH!!!!!

[Reel Jule]

Don't know how much this helps. I only started fishing out of OL for this past year. I use shimano 30's & 50's 2-speeds. That seems to be the norm with also some 80's. You never know what you might hook up on so anything
smaller might be a gamble.
Ask the captains there, I've found most we be glad to answer any questions.
Hope this helps.

[jayjysmth]

Thats what I was afraid of. So you guys are saying I might be ok with the football size yft but anything bigger will probally get ugly right?

[Reel Jule]

You hit the head right on the nail---whatever

[jayjysmth]

Hey Reel Jule, you think I have a shot at landing some of the football sizes? What's your take and what would you do since you live that way and know the area a little better than i do.

[bitemysister]

I live in MHC, just moved there a few months ago from VA. Welcome to town. Hope to hook up with you out there. On your combo question. I would think you will be a little short on the gear you're proposing. You stand a very good chance of losing something beyond BLT's down here off of MHC with 20/30# gear, especially if you chance by 3-5 knock-downs at once of 40-50# yellowfins. Thinking at least 40# gear would be recommended by most in the area. Like others said, you just never know what might hit... Good luck and safe boating to you!!

Mike

[Dave Sikorski]

Not to mention the levelwind on the GTI will explode on the first angry fish you hook.

I'm sure you could pick up some useable stuff from some folks on here if you don't want to buy new.

Good luck.

-D

[jayjysmth]

Thanks for the welcome to MHC but I unfortunately dont live down there. I make the trek from Greensboro every other Friday or so. Its not a lot of fun making the four hour drive after work but I have to get my fishin fix every couple weeks. Thanks for the tips guys. Looks like I may have to upgrade my equipment.

[jayjysmth]

So guys, the general consensus is to upgrade to rods/reels that will hold 40-50lb test correct? With this work fishing for mahi kings ect. or will this spook the fish. Reason I am asking is bc I have a couple king outfits that I use for mahi and kings and want to know should I just bring them along but mainly stick to using the 40-50lb setups? Also, any of you guys fish okuma rods/reels? I have a acquaintance that can get me most of their stuff a little above cost and would like to know what setup would work best for overall fishing. Thanks