The time for the 15 day trip is rapidly approaching and I’m trying to reduce the number of rods I’m taking. I’ve rendered my pile down to the following. The Lami w/CT401TE and the Avet MX w/G 6465 where tossed in because on the last 15 day we stopped on the way home and targeted calico bass.
Did I miss something here?

80-130
#1 100/130 Penn 50 SW(Kite) on a Seeker G 6463XXXXH
#2 100/130 Avet SDS on a Seeker G 6463XXXH
#3 100/130 Avet SDS on a Seeker G 6455XXXH
#4 80/100 Avet 30/2 on a Seeker G 6463XXH

60-80
#5 80 Avet EXW 4/02(Troll) on a home made 5 1/2” 80lb
#6 60/80 Avet EX4/02 on a Seeker G 6465XH

40-50
#7 40/50 Avet HX 5/2 on a Seeker G 6465XH
#8 40/50 Avet JX 6/3 on a Seeker G 6465XH
#9 40/50 Shimano Trinidad on a Seeker G 6470H
#10 40/50 Avet JX 4:1 on a Seeker G 6465H
#11 40/50 Avet JX 4:1 on a Seeker G 6465H

Light
#12 30/40 Avet MXL 6/4 on a Seeker G 6465
#13 20 Calcutta 401 TE on a Lamiglass 6 1/2

shazaamm, what a hardcore collection.
that sure is alot to carry on board.

I'd like to reduce it to 10 rods so Hoggem'in can bring his colection and still leave room for others ;o)

#3, #6, #8, #11 and #12 is what I'm thinking can be left on shore but I've only been on one 15 day trip and don't know what will be needed and what will be surplus. If we don't target calico bass on the return then #13 can stay.

I'm heavy on 40/50 rigs (for a 15 day) but I want to fish for wahoo more this time.

i would have to agree on 3 and 11.

oh , keep the 12.

well, thats true . You never want to have to change between a hook or an iron. It especially wastes 10minutes and about 12inches of line each time. Therefore another dozen poles wouldnt hurt. I've thought about hiring a rod caddy to bring along, next time I'm at the HOME DEPOT I'll see if julio can set a hook and maybe he will come along. FORE!!!!!

Use the boat's trollers and shine the 80#.

Leave #3, #4, #5, and #10 behind. Bring the extra SDS for a backup if you have a failure on the big fish and fish #6 and #7 if you don't find the bigger Tunas. That still leaves you plenty of outfits for the Hoos, Tails, Dodos and Calicos, etc.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

WB,
Thanks for your input, last week I talked to the captain and he said bring all of them. As of now I'm considering close to what you recommend but I do prefer my own trolling rig, #5, and it will go. The reels don't take up much room so I'll bring all of them JIC.

If this trip is anything like the Jan'06 trip I'll probably only use #1, #2, #7 (or #8) and #13.

cv, I have thought the same with my rifles,

"This looks like an easy shot, hand me my 284".
"But it's a long shot at that goat and they are tough to kill sir!"
"Oh well, give me the 300 then."

Jesus Lee - my how your collection has grown since that first Rooster Trip. That's a lot of pretty blue Avets. I'd try to narrow the field down to 10 core set-ups based on first hand fish reports before your trip.

Just a suggestion, without making the investment - if you get the chance to borrow an Accurate 50 and hook the right fish - it'd be worth the comparison to your Penn 50 and Avet SDS. I know you've hung several on your Avet SDS - I've done the same with good results - then I hung a few on my Accurate 50 and that is now my go-to cow set-up until I feel and see something outperform perfection.

Good luck on your trip - I am expecting child #2 in December had to bail on my Rooster trip in December. Go catch a super cow and post some pics.

You have to think that the world record fish is swimming around in that area with the recent Super cows boated and several losses. Spike spoke to Andy and he said some anglers dumped some real monsters.

One other thing...

Be sure to pick up a TN40N for your wahoo set-up - again - that reel is a hoo killer on the jig or bomb. I'm not really a Shimano fan - but that is a must.

IMO,

I have been told by LR professionals to double up on the heavy gear on a 15-day trip.

Rational.

1. Extra rods go up top
2. Fewer people on the trip more space
3. WFO bite no time to re rig just gaff smile, rebait, and toss. It's a time factor issue, same set up ready to go.
4. Things change daily on a 15-day trip and you want the tools to toss to the species and class of fish at hand.
5. Insurance...things break at the worst possible time. No worries mate if a duplicate is in the rack.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SDTuna,

i honestly can say, i never been on a 15 dayer.

thats a long time in the water, and not enough time to fish.lol

having back ups are important, especial what s.d.tuna said ...............WFO...........


but i woulnt drag the whole tackle shop, if you have set up the right tackle.

10 to 12 rods should be okay. just my opinion from some one who have not fished 15 dayers.

Reelveal,
A TN40N is on my want list.

I hope kid #2 is a keeper, they usualy are.

All,
Thanks for the input. It looks like I'll have 11 rods on this trip. It looks like the boat will have 23 fishermen, at the most, so I can always move my extra gear up top or foward.

It's been a long time since I was excited about anything but this trip is doing it to me, COME ON COWS!! And I'm freezing up here and need some warm.....or hot to help my aching bones.

I'm realy only interested in three classes of YFT this time, 40lb-60lb, any fish over 258lb and 300lb+. I know the odds are against me on the big girls but they are there, if I'm up to the job. A few wahoo for the freezer would top of the trip.

Good luck Lee - go get em... Is Potts joining you on the trip?

Dump #5, move #4 into the 60-80 group. Then pass on #10 and #11. that gives you 10 rods and still covers all your needs.