2025 Tuna and Exotics
- Thread starter Evan B
- Start date
I bring the leader loop connection into the rod guides. Even with a 5.5’ leader I was doing that. Fish makes a run, drop the rod tip and let go of the reel handle, line goes out, never an issue with tuna and those heavy leaders. This ain’t 7X with a 24” trout kinda thing.
@Nick Clayton You mean don’t do this? 
I won’t name out the angler in question here, let’s just call him “slow-millo” to guard his identity
Disclaimer, I do plenty of that too, pretty sure that’s how I broke my Meridian on a past trip.
I won’t name out the angler in question here, let’s just call him “slow-millo” to guard his identity
Disclaimer, I do plenty of that too, pretty sure that’s how I broke my Meridian on a past trip.
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Hey…you could have pulled screen shots from seconds 0-23 of that 24 second clip and showed tuna fighting perfection!
So I got a bit excited when the gaff came out
The most amazing thing about that screenshot is that the rod is a Sage Maverick built using 1st Gen Konnetic technology. Based on other rods I’ve owned made of that material (Sage One for example). I’m pretty sure I could break that 12 weight in a bluegill…
So I got a bit excited when the gaff came out
The most amazing thing about that screenshot is that the rod is a Sage Maverick built using 1st Gen Konnetic technology. Based on other rods I’ve owned made of that material (Sage One for example). I’m pretty sure I could break that 12 weight in a bluegill…
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Question for the seasoned tuna guys. I’m looking at getting a second 12wt to add to the quiver in case I break one. Would an extra long, extended fighting butt be advantageous to have for leverage and to distance the reel from you a bit? I don’t know how far the blank goes into the butt section on this style rod. Could it be a bad thing to apply too much leverage to this style butt?
I’m looking at this rod. Worth trying out or bad idea?
muskyfool.com
I’m looking at this rod. Worth trying out or bad idea?
Whuff Rod Co Double Haul 12wt Fly Rod
This rod is designed to cut through wind and/or chuck big flies at BIG fish. Light in the hand with a fast action for accurate delivery. This rod is at home on the saltwater or chasing those freshwater giants. 9 foot – 4 piece Dual Compound Cork Handle Extended Fighting Butt – 4″ Aluminum Reel...
muskyfool.com
SilverFly
Legend
Question for the seasoned tuna guys. I’m looking at getting a second 12wt to add to the quiver in case I break one. Would an extra long, extended fighting butt be advantageous to have for leverage and to distance the reel from you a bit? I don’t know how far the blank goes into the butt section on this style rod. Could it be a bad thing to apply too much leverage to this style butt?
I’m looking at this rod. Worth trying out or bad idea?
Whuff Rod Co Double Haul 12wt Fly Rod
This rod is designed to cut through wind and/or chuck big flies at BIG fish. Light in the hand with a fast action for accurate delivery. This rod is at home on the saltwater or chasing those freshwater giants. 9 foot – 4 piece Dual Compound Cork Handle Extended Fighting Butt – 4″ Aluminum Reel...
Haven't fish a rod with an extended butt that long, but sounds like a great tuna rod to me. Keep your rod angle low (says me - lol) and shouldn't be a problem. I kinda want one myself, but can't justify tuna rod #6 this year.
I think that should work, with an extended butt the reel will be farther out from your chest. There is a lot of reeling in as you know so keep that ergonomic/comfort in mind.Question for the seasoned tuna guys. I’m looking at getting a second 12wt to add to the quiver in case I break one. Would an extra long, extended fighting butt be advantageous to have for leverage and to distance the reel from you a bit? I don’t know how far the blank goes into the butt section on this style rod. Could it be a bad thing to apply too much leverage to this style butt?
I’m looking at this rod. Worth trying out or bad idea?
Whuff Rod Co Double Haul 12wt Fly Rod
This rod is designed to cut through wind and/or chuck big flies at BIG fish. Light in the hand with a fast action for accurate delivery. This rod is at home on the saltwater or chasing those freshwater giants. 9 foot – 4 piece Dual Compound Cork Handle Extended Fighting Butt – 4″ Aluminum Reel...
I'm sure it'd work great, but it IS just a Maxcatch built to the company owners specs. I had the 11wt for muskies for a while. Fine rod, just too awkward for me sitting down when musky fishing. Even standing up, that extended butt takes some getting used to.Question for the seasoned tuna guys. I’m looking at getting a second 12wt to add to the quiver in case I break one. Would an extra long, extended fighting butt be advantageous to have for leverage and to distance the reel from you a bit? I don’t know how far the blank goes into the butt section on this style rod. Could it be a bad thing to apply too much leverage to this style butt?
I’m looking at this rod. Worth trying out or bad idea?
Whuff Rod Co Double Haul 12wt Fly Rod
This rod is designed to cut through wind and/or chuck big flies at BIG fish. Light in the hand with a fast action for accurate delivery. This rod is at home on the saltwater or chasing those freshwater giants. 9 foot – 4 piece Dual Compound Cork Handle Extended Fighting Butt – 4″ Aluminum Reel...
If the rod has a built in fore grip then no it’s designed for it. My TFO Bluewater 12wt has it and it’s a much beefier rod than the Scott Wave 12wt.
Thanks. Didn’t know about the background of the that company’s rods. I wonder if the longer fighting but would lead to increased arm fatigue while holding the rod on the troll, at least from the standing position.
I thought I remembered this topic coming up a few years ago and the conclusion was that using fore grips to apply a lot of pressure could damage the rod. I might not be remembering correctly though.
I don’t think it would hurt in that regard, and when I’m in the outside troll position, a lot of the time I’ll hold the rod sticking out a ways, rod butt in one hand and foregrip in the other hand for leverage and balance. Some extra rod booty might not be a bad thing.
I’ve added foam foregrips to rods and blew up a Cabelas rod I really liked using it to rush a fish to the gaff. I still have another rod with an added foregrip but I’m careful about when and how I use it. I try to avoid it when the fish is close, even though that can be tempting. I know what that can do.
I ended up going with this one. We will see…
Sandy Key 12 Weight Fly Rod
12 Weight • 9' • 4 Piece • Fast Action • Saltwater A great rod for those looking to cast big flies to big game. Great in the back country for Tarpon and Sharks. Great out on the blue water for whatever you may find out there. Premium performance that compares with some of the largest names...
regionfishing.com
One of the main reasons I don't use my current 12wt often - 9' is too long in my opinion. My ideal 12wt would be 7'6". But I'd settle for an 8' on my next rod. Holding out until I find the right one. Until then, the jig rods get most the work.
Loading things up this afternoon for some tuna blood. Going to fish two days, but tuna likely only happening Saturday.
Loading things up this afternoon for some tuna blood. Going to fish two days, but tuna likely only happening Saturday.
JayB
Life of the Party
This sounds amazing. Would love more info. Do they charge by the pound? Anyone have any idea how common it is for them to offer same-day processing? More likely on weekdays vs weekends? TIA.Yesterday it did seem like the long outside rods got hit more often than our shorter inside rods. If it was a single it was usually (always?) long and outside. If it was a double/triple, it was probably long and outside first and then inside.
Also, @Phil K would often get hit moments after taking a break while the rest of us had been out there the whole time, so I'm not sure about the "keep it in the water" thing.
BTW: another shoutout/rec for Merino's fish processing. Getting 45lbs of tuna loins bloodlined and vac sealed was $140 with tip. It's half that (and faster) if they don't trim the bloodlines out. Sometimes they can get it all done the same afternoon and you can be on your way by 6pm. I find this service to be a game changer as I don't love the processing part of the haul.
I know they charge by the pound. I have only a single data point but I got there at 5:30pm which is pretty close to when they normally close and they had about 200lbs ahead of me on a Sunday and couldn't do it same day.