Albacore gear and connections

I think one thing that comes into play here is that this is a fishery where you're not looking for just one fish. If a single albacore was the goal I could see being more inclined to use a lighter rod and try to get the max out of it. But honestly a single albacore out there means a slow day. The goal is to catch a bunch. The only way to do so is to hook them and land them as quickly as possible so you can get back into the water for more. This fishery is about taking advantage of opportunities. When the fish decide they want to come up and play its important to take advantage of that because ya never know how long it will last. Sometimes it'll last all day long, but other days it seems like it's wide open then like a switch it shuts off. Being able to land several fish fairly quickly can be a huge advantage in those scenarios.

The other factor is that this isn't a fishery where you are generally doing a ton of blind casting. After a troll hookup it generally doesn't take much casting to determine if the fish are gonna come up and play or not, so you're not just making 500 long, blind casts in a day where a lighter rod would really be easier to deal with.
 
Glass definitely has a place on an albacore boat. I cringed the first time I saw these pics Nick took of me putting the screws to a good sized albacore. This is a custom rod built by member @veilside180sx on a hybrid glass/graphite plug trolling rod. And, yes, the rod is still in one piece.

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The idea was a shorter, super-tough boat fly rod that would work well in the chaos of multiple hook-ups. It absolutely fits that bill, and is surprisingly fun to cast (basically a heavy-head sling shot). Rich estimated it was equivalent to a 12wt, but it feels more like an 11, or even a heavy 10 to me. Maybe that's just due to the shorter length though.
 
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Yeah one of the reasons I rarely grab my 12wt when I'm out there is it's just too long. I hate hauling fish up with a 9 footer. One day I need to fine a 7.5'-8' blank I can build up.
 
Evan B said:
Yeah one of the reasons I rarely grab my 12wt when I'm out there is it's just too long. I hate hauling fish up with a 9 footer. One day I need to fine a 7.5'-8' blank I can build up.
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At 7' this, or something similar would be ideal for a smaller boat. Not sure if they still make it but it's a Lamiglas XCC705 blank:

XCC 705 GH | Crankbait & Bait Rod
7'0" 1-Piece| Casting Rod

10-20lb line

3/8 - 1 1/2 oz.

Amazing composite action from both graphite and glass in the blank. This rod looks amazing and fishes like a dream. The softness of the tip runs plugs (crankbaits) and other trolled baits with incredible response. The backbone of the graphite butt has incredible strength.

Plug, Bait & Troll

Has its roots in the Mark Wilson XCC Striper Trolling Rod

Fiberglass tip with graphite butt, excellent taper between the two. Trolls or casts crankbaits (plugs) very well. Handles larger plugs amazing for largemouth bass, striped bass, chinook salmon, pike or musky.
 
clarkman said:
There's a reason I bought the 12wt NFC blank rather than sticking with the 10wt for that fishery....I might have mentioned earlier, but I was fortunate that all fish I got on it weren't in that larger range.
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What do you think about me putting a forward grip on the blank to help with leverage on the fish when hauling it in? Do you think the NFC fiberglass blank would break?
 
@Kado You're not going to break that blank....unless you high stick like nobody has ever high sticked before (e.g. don't let @SilverFly fish it...like, ever :LOL: )
 
Kado said:
What do you think about me putting a forward grip on the blank to help with leverage on the fish when hauling it in? Do you think the NFC fiberglass blank would break?
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@Kado, I’ll be bringing three setups. I doubt you’ll break a glass rod, but worst case you can fish one of mine. I’m bringing a 7’6” 12wt glass/graphite hybrid, a 9’ 12wt NFC glass rod, and a 8’4” 13wt graphite rod.
 
SilverFly said:
Glass definitely has a place on an albacore boat. I cringed the first time I saw these pics Nick took of me putting the screws to a good sized albacore. This is a custom rod built by member @veilside180sx on a hybrid glass/graphite plug trolling rod. And, yes, the rod is still in one piece.

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The idea was a shorter, super-tough boat fly rod that would work well in the chaos of multiple hook-ups. It absolutely fits that bill, and is surprisingly fun to cast (basically a heavy-head sling shot). Rich estimated it was equivalent to a 12wt, but it feels more like an 11, or even a heavy 10 to me. Maybe that's just due to the shorter length though.
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I was fortunate enough to grab one of those blanks from Rich....just need to build it out now!
 
Jake said:
@Kado, I’ll be bringing three setups. I doubt you’ll break a glass rod, but worst case you can fish one of mine. I’m bringing a 7’6” 12wt glass/graphite hybrid, a 9’ 12wt NFC glass rod, and a 8’4” 13wt graphite rod.
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isn't your NFC 8'6"? my 12wt is.
 
Jake said:
Just checked the invoice. You’re right. I haven’t received the rod yet so I’d forgotten.
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I was about to go check mine...lol
 
Kado said:
ahhh....good point. Well...that blows that idea. Although a small cork foregrip might still be a consideration.
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why? I have a foregrip on my 8'6" NFC 12wt and my 8'3" Seele 12wt. I wouldn't bother with a 10 (kinda wish I hadn't put them on either of the others).
 
Semi Related:

This thread has me considering an NFC glass rod for future Baja trips and... maybe Tuna? The fish we get down in Mexico so far are Yellowtail in the 30-40# range but can run up to 50#. Based on what I see here, am considering an 8'6" 10 wt Iconoglass. The price is right! Does this seem appropriate based on my use?
And- @clarkman mentioned not bothering with a foregrip on a 10 wt. Is that just because it's not a rod you'd be really reefing on a big fish with? How about if your wimpy and old like me?
 
I just prefer to not have them, and they add weight....just a personal preference thing (of course I say that having them on my 2 12 wts).
 
Never caught a YT so can't really speak to a rod for them. A foregrip is definitely personal preference, and probably comes down to the type of fish being targeted as well. For tuna, who are gonna fight straight up and down mostly, and where pure lifting is required, I'm a huge fan.

On days where Im catching a bunch of fish especially it saves a lot of wear and tear on my wrist.

With smaller albacore that tend to be a bit more spastic, it's not as big a deal, but with bigger fish that tend to be brute strength bulldogs it makes such a difference.
 
Just received my NFC blanks. No wonder it costs so much to ship. It might take a bandsaw to open the cardboard tube it was shipped in.
 
Bagman said:
Can you tell me just how much weight a fore grip adds? asking for a friend
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no idea. would have to ask a rod builder....or Google might know. I fish glass heavyweights. I don't need anything extra on there.

Like I said, it's just a personal preference thing....you can tell your friend that.
 
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