Bluefin Tuna Spinning outfit......suggestions????

[DM66]

Looking for a spinning outfit for mostly jigging tuna here in New Jersey. Probably 80-90% of the fish taken are on jigs dropped down to about 150 ft......with very few coming busting on top, all though it happens. Most of these fish are between 30-70 lbs. Not interested in a Van Staal....a bit too much money for the amount of use it will get. Other than that.....I'm open for suggestions.

Thanks in advance!!!

[Striper134]

The Shimano Saragosa is a great new spinning reel for the money. We've sold a few and they have held up very well for the fish here. Some guys like the jigging setups as well. I think its really what your looking to spend really and Shimano makes great combo set-ups now that cater to guys jigging. Hope this helps some. Also, any of the rods they offer hold up very well for the money. WE sell a ton of the GLoomis Bukara and Pro Blue and I would think any of the St Croix Premier 7-8 ft rods would work fine for that size class.

[Pete_G]

The Fin-nor Offshore series have proven to be great options as well. Very inexpensive for how capable they are. Not as refined as a Saragosa but a good option as well.

Are you looking to get on board with the butterfly craze? Personally around the shop we kind of chuckle at it (greatest lure and tackle marketing effort ever by the fishing industry ) but it does simplify putting together a matched jigging outfit.

They do dance a little better and the hooks being at the other end help to keep them from hanging (you can switch them to the other end on traditional jigs as well), but overall I think an experienced jigger with a Crippled Herring or diamond jig is always going to smoke your average guy wielding a butterfly set up.

I don't mean to rag (too hard anyways) on the "Butterfly System" but if you don't want to spend the $$ to give it a try I wouldn't feel like you are missing out on some end all and be all jigging system.

I should add I am NOT the most experienced vertical jigger in the world, but in my limited experience that's my take on it. Someone more experienced with butterfly systems may have a different opinion.

[DM66]

Pete and others,

Thank you for the replies! What size Fin-nor or Saragosa would you recommend? Also, I really liked the Van Staal jigging rods and the 7' model rated for 50-100 lb. line looked interesting......any thoughts?

Thanks!

~Darren

[Pete_G]

The smallest Fin-nor would probably be enough, and the Saragosa could be either the 8000 or more likely 14000. I really wish there was a reel in between the 8000 and the 14000 though.

I've got one of the VS jig rods (probably the one you are looking at), I'm very happy with it. Like a lot of the newer jig rods, it's a parabolic action and has plenty of power even though it flexes very deeply. It took me a little while to get over feeling the rod flex right into the reel seat.

[JAY]

I went with the Fin-nor Offshore 75's paired with the Van-Staal 7' 50-100lb jig rods. My thought was this would give me the versatility for both throwing plugs at surface fish and vertical jigging out on Stellwagon after the morning troll bite dies (alot like what you guys do down in Jersey).
So far, very happy with the set-ups.
I think the 65 (smallest size)would also be sufficient. In terms of capacity, the 75 held 100 yards of backing and 350 yards of 50 lb braid.

One of the combos is right behind my fat arse here:

[DM66]

Pete and Jay,

Thanks for your further responses. I agree, Pete......I wish there was a size in between the 8000 and 14000. I put the 8000 on the 7' Van Staal rod and it seemed just a hair too light, but passable. I have not held the 14000 yet.

Jay, the combo in the background of that picture......is that what you whooped that Bluefin with? Was it caught on the jig or casting a plug? I just want to make sure the rod has the backbone for a jig caught fish that needs to be pulled off the bottom.

Thanks again, guys!!!!

Tight lines!~DM66

[arden]

.....not to take a different direction but:

i have done ALOT of diamond jigging for bass, tuna, and most anyother species i have run across. That said, im curious why you are adament about spinning gear?

Although i love the versatility of being able to cast or jig when it comes to an exclusivly jigging setup i prefer conventional gear ten times over. Let me note that this is also due in part to my preference for the hammered jigs and crippled herrings of yesteryear

....Now although peter is understandably not a fan of the butterfly jigs let me say that sadly, the few occasions i have fished along side a true butterfly jig fisherman i have not been spanked but none the less taken for a ride around town. Performed correctly there is deffinetly something too the verticle walk the dog action...think of it like a pencil popper vs a spook....sometime it doesnt make a difference, but when fish are finicky...the spook tends to get it done but requires a bit more skill.

That said while i have found no major difference in the nature of the reals they advertise the correct rods make a huge difference. the short stroke and parabolic action are actualy a big part of maintaining the action...if you to fish a butterfly jig on a normal rod it comes in strait as a needle fish.

All in all conventional or spin jigging is a great way to fish and has put some great fish in the boat for me that otherwise would never have been caught

[DM66]

Arden,

I understand your point about Conventionals and when it comes to straight Jigging it seems that is the general consensus. The reason I want the spinning is due to the ability to work the rod and fight the fish with my RIGHT hand. I own a medium light Butterfly jigging outfit (Daiwa Saltist 40 with a Shimano Trevala rod.....which is a little bit light for Bluefin in the 40-80lb. range)) and I have yet to feel very comfortable working a rod with my left arm and retrieving with my right hand. I grew up with spinning tackle and could work any kind lure, rubber, jig, popper etc. with my right hand....I have the "feel" setup that way. I'm by no means un-coordinated, but I just feel much more comfortable and CONFIDENT with the other arm and spinning gear. They don't make that many beefy conventionals with left hand retrieve......so I mainly stick with spinning. If I logged 50 days on the water and could put the time in, I'm sure I would not have a problem......but my job squashes that idea.

I hear both sides of the argument about Butterfly Jigging and own a handful of jigs.......has anyone tried them with the Van Staal rods yet????

Just curious and thanks again for the responses!

[arden]

yeah i have 2 with 2 more on order.....the kick ass

proved for butterfly jigging in the islands and though it was supposed to be a maji rod spanked a 100lb yellow on a hand fed chunk on a crowder viking tuna trip last year...and i mean spanked