Slightly off topic...
 

Dont shoot me guys...

Though I still go Kayak fishing, I really wanted to go on a boat and do some deep water fishing, so I booked a trip. I plan on bringing my own setup, which is a CalStar rod (60# I think... its a heavy rod though) with a Penn Fathom 25N 2 speed reel. Its loaded with 65# braid and I use 40# fluoro.

So for Bluefin and such, this is adequate, right?
What type/size hooks you guys recommend?

From what I've been hearing, you need to up the fluoro to 50# or higher since they are catching the bigger grade fish lately. I have heard people landing fish with 40# but it just takes longer to land it not to mention the million other factors that could break off the fish of a lifetime. I'd say go with heavier leader and save yourself the potential heartbreak. Good luck on your trip!

50-80lb flouro. The rod and reel are fine. There were fish caught over 200 this season locally with the reel you have.

I just got back from a two day last week and most fish brought on board were in the 60-90 pound range. The jackpot fish was a 95+ yellowfin. Big fish for sure. Don't fish anything lighter than 40#. Use fluro leader with thin circle hooks. That's what worked for me.

The rig you have is perfect. If you are fishing the flat fall jig you may want to go with heavier flouro. Make sure you have some of the BIG flat falls, the big ones were the ones catching fish.

Thanks for the tips and confirmations guys. Greatly appreciated.

I cast well and accurately with spinners and baitcasters, but casting with this Penn is really problematic for me. I almost always get a nice little nest. I suppose I need to practice in a park with a weight.

I like the idea of flat falling jigs, assuming I can cast the damn things. If we are using live bait, what size hooks do you guys suggest?

You could try to mag it a little to slow down your freespool. You will lose a little distance, but if you nest it everytime, you arent getting much distance anyways. Not as hard as you think.

http://senortuna.com/main/showthread.php?t=21990

If you hook a 100lber be ready for a long fight :reel: