This is a must read post off the American Angler. It is specific and direct on all aspects of getting rigged for the "Cows".

From the AA ..."With this in mind, we must touch base on a sometimes touchy subject. My partner Sam Patella's uncle made the famous saying that "everybody kisses their wife but everybody does it different". We do not wish to offend any "sewing circle", we just would like to give our suggestions on tackle based on a" hand's on" point of view. Before writing this, not only was the crew of the American Angler asked for input but I also talked to many of my fellow captains whose opinions I not only trust but also live by.
The fact that the targeted species are big tuna, we will try and help navigate through all the information out there and try to customize your tackle to specifically fish for these "cows".

Reels
Because of the before mentioned reasons, a "50" sized reel is the minimum size reel that is recommended. Even though there have been plenty of big fish caught on "30"sized reels, or the fact that they are souped-up or turbo-charged, they have an application.....and it is not here.
A "50" sized reel or larger, has the necessary line capacity which is very often an issue and it also has the necessary guts and torque necessary for doing the job. As far as brands, we don't represent one specific brand but instead stand by most of the higher end reel manufacturers because they all put out a quality product.
The Accurate 50, Penn International 50 VSX, Avet 50SDS, and Shimano Tiagra 50 are some of our favorites. The wide versions have the line capacity advantage with the drawback being a little more cumbersome to handle. Although they work fine out of the box, the enthusiast might take their reels to Ken's Custom Reels (760) 967 7335, or our sweetheart for life Nancy Sheets at Cals, and there are other reputable tackle establishments for ultimate freespool and beefier drags.

Line
All the reels should be filled to within 80-90% full capacity with 200lb hollow core spectra. Ifyou have 130lb spectra please do not take it off, as a length of 200lb can be spliced on top. Recommended topshots of 130lb mono should be at least a boat length long. This has been a controversial subject in the past, but once again the crews and captains of most of the long range boats have found this to be the practical length. For the average angler, a short topshot does allow the "give" necessary when fighting a big cow close. Too long a topshot is not preferable because it makes it a little tougher to properly soak a bait. We use Izorline on the boat due to our familiarity, but we also back all of the major brands of line because they are all quality as long as the angler always is fishing with "fresh" line. Tracy from Blackwater sent us some 130lb Flourocarbon top shots that seemed to be "coincidentally" getting more then its share of bites and although relatively new, we're sure it will work fine because everything they make is of the highest quality.
When it comes to connections, every boat has a little different method. Because we are talking about the big gear we will only talk about the big line connections. The 30 turn Albright connection is good with the right guides, the loop to loop connection, or the traditional splice finished with a crimp, overhand knot or whipped, are all accepted methods.. Our guys on the AA use the Sato crimp stlye exclusively bonding the 200lb hollow core spectra with 130lb monofiliment.
For those of you riding with us, this is done for a nominal charge because we are not in the tackle selling business, we only want to have our guys prepared for the bite of their dreams.

Rods
Like all different aspects of gear, there are many high quality rods on the market. Cal Star, Seeker and Loomis are some of the many fine rods that are available. These rods should be 6 to 6 1/2 feet with high quality rollers. Our personal favorite is an old style, all glass 6 1/2 foot rod although we have been seeing more graphite, graphite composite rods on the rig and they have been doing the job. The longer rod helps keep the line away from the boat on the tuna's inside part of the circle and the longer rod also provides a little more shock absorption in the modern-time-shorter-topshot era.

Hooks
When it comes to hooks, all of us are in agreement that there is not the perfect hook. Like connections when each hook is under this extreme amount of pressure no one is foolproof. The Eagle Claw 2004 and 2005 in the 8/0 and 9/0 version, Owner super mutu in 6/0 and 7/0, Hayabusa magnum 6/0-8/0,and some of the tuna hooks designed for big fish by Mustad are the hooks we most commonly see. All these types are fine although no hook is foolproof as some bend and some break under the extreme pressure. A pulled hook is not a reason to throw a certain brand away or quit fishing - it is simply bad luck so keep a good attitude and stay away from Vegas.

Other Necessities
The most commonly forgot item that is left behind is the proper state of mind. Booking a 10 day trip only under the premise of catching big fish might leave you disappointed. Remembering that it is a fishing vacation should be first and foremost because we all are here because we love to fish. Having a down attitude because of a lost fish or lack of bites might start a snowball effect, so having a good positive attitude equals more bites. Keeping things in perspective can be very tough because there is so much media around a 200lber, it sometimes leaves the beautiful hundred pound class fish unappreciated.
An open mind is the most important part of any angler's arsenal. The crew members that work on these boats are here because they love to fish. The personal self gratification of helping an angler land a personal best is definitely another important reason. As an angler, it would be wise to use this resource as it is available on the decks of all the boats during the two day travel down to the grounds, so ask questions!
If you are coming out on a future trip or just thinking about it, and the thought of the overall expense seems intimidating , don't buy anything..On the AA we have loaner rods available for the cost of line. Therefore you can come test the waters and see if you like this style of fishing and get your own "hands on" experience and what kind of tackle is for you. Also don't worry about a kite rod because on the boat we always have at least five of them ready to go.
I am writing this on our first evening of travel up from the grounds listening to the day's final fishing reports. My old roommate Randy on the Star reported in with 10 fish out of his final drift, 6 of which weighed over two with one over three.
He also said that they had several other "heavy, like they were hooked to the bottom" type giants hooked that they lost where the 250's that were landed were small in comparison."

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

Now we are talking, you will never read SD's post in Pacific Coast Sport Fishing magazine. Thats the kind of information that is critical but not widely dispersed. Like I said, there is lots brain power and expierence behind these key boards. This one goes in my Lessons Learned file. Thankx SD.

Walt

Walt, as SD posted that was actually a post taken from the fishing report of the American Angler as stated by Brian, a very knowledgeable captain and a true joy to learn from. Both he and Sam, his partner & co-owner of the boat, have a wealth of knowledge and are not shy to share it with you if you're willing to listen. A top-notch operation and a good time whenever I've fished with them. Learn from the experts, they want you to catch fish!

Yes , I see that at the beging of SD's post he gives credit to American Angler. I have never been on the Am. Ang. but with great comments like yours it makes me want to get on board. Your statement "if they are willing to listen" is a key issue in this fishing business. Pride has a nasty habit of limiting growth.

Walt

thats a great read, thanks for sharing.

Do you think having strong muscular arms would help or is it mostly having the harness and leaning back that is most important ? Drags are set by scales ? if so..to what % to the line ? Should the drag get bumped up when the fish is getting close or not ? ( Iknow ... go on a trip and find out, right? ) Don't worry, I will.
Thanks for your time friends !!!

CV..

One of the most important lessons I learned early on setting drags was to not let a deck hand pull it off the reel and say it's good to go.

I fished numerous overnight boats when the albacore were running. I somehow found Charkbait teaching school and selling lures at lunch time. He sold me on the idea of a spring scale to set my drags. Bought one used it and low and behold i was farming less albies.

I use a 25% ratio to line class.

100# = 25# drag
10 # = 2.5 # drag

I keep the spring scale in my gear bag and on the way out set all my drags to 25%.

DO NOT LET ANYONE ELSE MESS WITH YOUR DRAGS ONCE YOU SET THEM.

Deck hands when setting out troll rods sometimes will adjust the drag... stand by your rig and in a nice way say it's all ready to go at 25%.

I have been told to button down the drag once the fish is a color but be ready to go free spool once the graff hits home.

Excellent post SD many thanks!
On rods: What line weight rating is appropriate and should all the guides be roller?

bado1,
SD is talking heavy rods for cows, I'd recomend all roller for heavy gear, 80lb and up.

I have a set (2) of IGFA 12lb class ALL roller rods but I don't feel roller guides are needed under 80lbs, with the exception of bottom fishing rods, then a RS/RT helps.

I'm still thinking of getting an AR 15lb or 25lb rod for Oregon albaore fishing though.

sd tuna is correct about ( dont let the deckys set your drags ).

why i bring this up , well few years back we were on troll, and had put out my 80lb set up w/ the new( at that time ) 114h w/ all aluminium solid frame, well after setting the drags this decky walk up to all 4 troll rods and locks down the drags to 90% or so.

we asked for what reason of this, he stated , to bring in fish faster, and the school will follow...... okay , it all made sence.

when i get my first hook up, this fish pulled so hard, and snapped my 80lb, yep , 80lb.

surly it was no albie core, i paid no attention to the damaged ( warped spool ) till i have gotten home to clean the reels.


oh , and also , DONT LET THE DECKYS SPRAY THE SALT WATER HOSE ON YOUR REEL . M/F...ERS

Hey Guys....

My post was a direct quote from the American Angler as stated in the first line. Least we foregt it was the AA who wrote the article and posted it in their web site.

I shared it here due to the timing and extreme value of the information for us all.

I wish I had that much experience and knowledge...

I have great respect for Skippers Brian and Sam's experience and how they run things. I followed their advice on the rods and reels on the big cows and they speak with utmost authority. I also commend their crews on helping me rigg top shots--and for only $9 bucks a shot! That is cheap.

Spring scales. that is a must. No one had a spring scale on my last 10 dayer except me. Skipper Sam asked if I would allow the rest of the passneges us it and set their drags. Of course! Skipper Sam was adamant that draps must be set according to scale and not just tug and feel. We formed a conga line nad strapped my spring scale to the stern rail and with the crew members overseeing and helping, we all had out drags set on the Cow Rod Sets---this was done with the line being pulled by the rod at flex so it measures actual pull and not straight off the reel. I use 30% of line test: 100 pound line test would be 33 pounds of drag. Some use 25% of line test. Regardless of 30 or 25, it must be set as measured by a good spring scale with a sliding maerker so you can tell exactly what your reels are set at. And the AA crew don't go around changing drags and twiddling with them either once set.

Just to add a few cents to Skipper Brian's comment on attitude...Attitude is everything. We had some pretty awful weather on our last year's trip over Xmas-New Years--slim pickings and 15 foot rollers. I finally hooked and fought what must have been a nice cow for some two hours last year and lost it at color on a chew off. Captain Sam was right there with me as was his crew walking me through. When that awful SNAP occurred, Captain Sam was madder than heck and the crew member was just apologizing. I looked at them and told them no sweat--why are you apologizing? I thanked them profusely for giveing me the chance to tangle with some awesome tuna--a thrill of a lifetime fighitng something I'd never done before. Instead of griping nad complaining, I was just happy...and I must have told my fish story 100 times to my friends and family already. See.....I received the fishing expereince. And once again, the AA crew made it happen.

Then we found a nice patch of football yellowtail and yellowfin the next afternoon and I just had a blast pulling on them suckers on 30 pound class stuff.

So attitude is everything.

that sucks, you could let the small ones grow bigger and come back to release it next year . Most of the time just getting a bite is the best part of fishing. All the work of gaffing it and letting it hit the deck and see it up close and then eating all that fresh smelly fish later on is too much work. I agree it is much funner to let them go right at colr and then laugh at everyone else who pulls out their fish from the freezer when the boat returns to SAN DIEGO and takes pictures and stuff. I can be the 1st one out of the parking lot and get home faster while they are lugging around all that yucky fishes

Schooly YFT are better for you to eat, YFY grow fast and spawn prolificly.
Personaly, I prefer 30lb-60lb YFT for eating and could care less if I got any over 60lb or under 258lb.

If fish smells fishy you have done something wrong in the care of your food.

I remember the trip and weather well olliebear.

We had some serious, serious following seas for 2 days on the way down with one of those days actually fishing.

We on the Star were blessed that we got our big fish on the down day of the weather. Olliebear was on the AA which found their school of Cows in the exact same Lat and Lon that we gottem the day before. The weather was horrible.

I also carry a spring scale and it is used for archery. If anyone is looking for a spring scale, this is exactly what I use and the rest of the guys used my scale like Ollie.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/sta...=cat20080&hasJS=true

The next afternoon we were all up the line just hammering the footballs and the day after in turtle bay pouring the blues to the Yellows.

But I strongly suggest this type of scale. I shoot competition archery as well and this is awesome when stting my bow as well.