Ok let’s have some fun. If you could bring one setup (rod and reel) on any type of fishing trip what would it be and how would set it up. I’m talking line, hooks, lead weight, iron and trolling feather or trolling lure. Please try to limit your selection of only to one of the above. I know that we have people from all over the world that shop at Charkbait so please tell us what type of fishing you do, where and why that setup would work for you.

I’ll go first. The rod I would take is my favorite Calstar 6470 custom wrapped rod (its nickname is the black stick of death) I have harvested more fish on this rod than any other rod I own. Sorry released the most with it to.

The reel I would take is my Avet JX two speed. The Avet two speed has the cranking power (in low gear) and the speed (in high gear) when I need it. Also it’s at a good price point for me.

For line I put on 300 yards 60lb Jerry Brown spectra backing and a 90yd plus top shot of Izor XXX 40lb mono.

Ok for me that was the easy part. Here is where I have to make some tough decisions.

The hook I would take is an Owner gorilla ringed hook in the 2/0 size. I normally like to fish circle hooks but I have a bad hookup rate on some species of fish using circles. I also now fish my J-hooks the same way as circle hooks. Meaning I come tight to the fish (and give a little hook set not a swing for the fence bass masters hook set) and most of the time I find the corner of the mouth.

Now the iron I would and still go with a Sumo 6x jr. in blue and white. I can yo yo it and if I’m fast enough I can fish it as a surface iron. Ok I’m not fast enough but I can wish.

The lead would be a 1 and ½ egg sinker. I feel it has a lot of flexibility for me.

The trolling lure I would take is a cedar plug non painted. I have seen all kinds of fish eat them.

Ok I fish mostly fish 3 to 5 day trips (in So Cal and Mexico) and in the sea of Cortez and that has worked for me. I have been on longer and shorter trips. The fish I target are Tuna, Yellowtail, Dorado, Pargo, Cabrilla and Rooster fish.

So what is in your wallet?

Mark, Nice to meet you in the shop last week. I have primarily been trolling for marlin and tuna off of Oahu using big game tackle. I use Penn International 80 STWs and 50 VSWs. I have the 80s spooled with 600 yards of 130# spectra topped with 130# mono. The 50s are spooled with 600 yards of 130# spectra topped with 80# mono.

I primarily troll lures that are 10 to 12 inches long. These lures are rigged with 9/0 and 10/0 big game hooks.

There are several disadvantages to this type of fishing. The gear is heavy and you need a fighting chair or you simply fight the fish from the rod holder. Also the smaller fish that are often encountered are no match for the tackle.

But (at least for me) there is nothing as exciting as a big fish slamming into one of my lures and making one of my big reels scream.

I have been learning and using some different techniques using lighter tackle, including live bait and chunking. I have a Penn 30 and 16 VSX that I am using to fish as 50# class tackle. I recently aquired an Avet LX and have several Jigmasters that have been upgraded as well. You have to catch your own bait out here and that can prove to be a challenge at times, but that is all a part of it. I have had good success and fun with this lighter tackle catching nice yellow fin tuna up to 50#, mahi mahi, trevally and barracuda. I have also hooked into some good sized fish that I never slowed down.

I will also agree with you on an unpainted cedar plug. I don't know what it is the tuna think those are, but I have had good success out here with those.

It's all part of the game...

only one rod, okay.

if im on a 5 to 7 dayer, and only had one rod of choice.

800H
870 2 SPEEDER
30LB XXX
40LB SPECTRA BACKING
SALAS 6 X JR, IN THE BIRD $HIT.

I NAMED THE ROD ( JIG STIX ).
CUSTOM WRAPPED BY WHOPPERSTOPPERS.

Me??? Oh I am a doofus.

If I am going long range, 1 choice and that is strictly to put fishies in duh bote!!

DYNOMITE. It never goes wrong. Blow em up...scoop um up! heh heh heh

Then if the game officials want to harass you?
Lite one, toss it to him then ask if he wants to talk or fish?

hahahahhhahhaa

For here I would use an 8' Uglystick in 40 to 80 lb. with my Avet 4/2 w/300yds Izor backing and 100yds of 40 Ande clear or pink . Iron would be an 8 oz hammered diamond jig . To troll a green/yellow Zuker . For a hook a 2/0 ringed Gorilla .And for lead a 1/2 oz egg.

Fun question.
I fish mainly 1-5 day trips out of San Diego.
Rod: Super Seeker 670 7ft custom wrapped by my buddy Seadragon.
Reel: Penn TRQ 200 w/ 50lb spectra 30lb topshot.
Hook: 2/0 ringed owner.
Trolling: zucchini grass skirt.
Iron: Salas 6X jr sardine color.
I bet I will never see any of you out there with only your one set up. It would be a fun tournament though.

Chad