Tuna Equipment setups

that's a killer reel!! i think you made a really good choice with the 16.

Thanks, always good to get some reassurance post-purchase. 

Now you just need to finish rebuilding your boat.  When we going?

-Allen

Just for you sweetheart…..primered, gonna sand and start laying down some paint in the next couple days  At this point I’m in fuck-it mode, it’s gonna be the most godawful ugly commercial grade paint ya ever seen but at least it’ll be back in the water 

I think it's beautiful!  where is the roof?

Bouché

Where's the tuna door?

Never fails to produce tuna for me.

Never fails to produce tuna for me.

Nothing better than sashimi from a can, right?

For the flatfall/jigging setups, my recommendation would be to go bigger than what you think you’ll need. I.E. visx20 over visx16. Weight is not a big deal as you’ll be resting the rod on the rail.

I tend to fish one size up from Steve’s recommendations on my smaller penns for 25-40lbs. Prepared for bigger fish, picky bite, lighter line scenario which happens frequently. Freespool is not great when setting drag too high for the smaller setups. You can pull really hard on 30 and 40lb test.

If fishing solid braid, get some multicolor j braid for jigging or sinker rig. Knowing how much line you have out will help you stay in the zone.

Penn fathoms are a great value choice. 25nld2 and a 40nld2 will pretty much cover all applications from 25-80lb test.

Alright…..the saga continues and it’s high drama now lol.

Non-drama…..I added a penn vsx16….this and the visx16 will be my trolling reels for bft up here if I decide to target them. 

Non-drama…..I caught a stellar deal on an okuma makaira 20iisea…..and when I say stellar I mean stellar, I could not pass it up. 

She pretty too, dancing on a UC Viper. 

Drama…..I finally had a stick for the Torque 40n and mounted it up.  Noticed that there was creaking coming from the reel seat and that the guides were off center.  Immediately started fiddling with it and realized that the reel foot was riveted on…..and it was fucking loose.  Shout out to Michelle, the QA inspector whose card was in the box for the reel, you suck.

Reel was outta return date range for the retailer so I gotta warranty repair with Penn’s Philly operation (local repair centers can’t re-rivet). They recommend ups shipping to get it back to them and the warranty stipulations indicate that shipping is on the buyers dime….to the tune of 70 bones after having to buy a box and packing materials.  It’s in philly for a week, I call the warranty number to inquire on the reel, but it’s a call center and I can’t actually speak with anyone at the repair facility.  Anyway she lets me know that the reel was received but no status update on it, so it hasn’t been assessed yet. IIRC she said repairs are typically 6-8 weeks, but 9-12 weeks is more realistic.  I can’t actually speak with anyone at the repair facility, they won’t give out their number.  So that is unfolding….I’m calling again this week to try to get a status update. This thing better come back with some good juju.

High Drama….I was considering jumping on a colonet trip at end of February and the 40 would have likely been my go to girl….but it’s unlikely I’ll have her back in time.  Rewind to that stellar deal on the Mak20, there was a matching 15T in the display case right next to it.  Got a stellar deal on that one also. She a baddie too.  Plus I figured I better try the maks out before China takes over Taiwan and we can’t get em anymore. 

Gonna be a full on Penn vs. Okuma battle royale comin.

PS…..I’m done buying shit.   

And here’s my boat update….maybe we’ll get to pull on a bft from it this year.

Where did you find the deal on the mak? They have anymore?

Nope….I believe I bought the last one in stock at any of the stores. 

boat looks bitchin!!! Lets run em for tuna this year... they're still around rn too..  Just picked up a Mak 16 on a 60-130 spiral-wrapped Okuma to have along with the fathom 40 2 speed and okuma PCH 60-100...Cannot wait to get out there again.  I was on the fence about the 16 /20 and mak versus penn but i really don't think you can go wrong between them

Most excellent setups!

That Mak15T is D O P E.

Most excellent setups!

I dunno man, I don't see any beef sticks on walmart spinner specials.