Advice?

[Cbad Mike]

I use uni to uni for spectra to fluorocarbon
And a San Diego Jam for the hook. I've never lost a knot yet.

If you need a refresher on how to tie knots check out
NETKNOTS. com

Good luck

[walrus]

You started the thread by saying you have used only mono in the past.

When braid line first hit the scene, many commercial boats did not like clients using it. The problem as they saw it, was too many lost the fish at the strike.
The braid does not stretch and hooks would be yanked from the fishes mouth.

If it's your first experience with using braid set a lighter drag for strikes and use a fast action rod. Most boats have the correct gear to loan, all you have to do is pay for the line. On the way down talk to the crew about drag settings, they'll help because they want you to have a great time, catch fish, and tell all of us about your catch so we'll want to go to.

RP knot for braid to spectra, floro to hook whichever you have become really good at tying is my recommendation.

[PapaDave]

I use a uni for the hook, seems to work pretty good.

Be careful on the uni to uni on the braid-fluorocarbon link, if the diameter of the braid is a lot smaller than the flouro it may end up cutting through it.

There is a pretty easy knot to tie but I don't know the name, a deck hand showed it to me on an 8 day. Talk to the mates, they will be happy to show you.

[gary sullivan]

Lot of good recommendations. One thing that wasn't mentioned is to not use green spectra. In darkened weather conditions it's very hard to see where your line is in relation to others nearby. You can't follow your line if you can't see it. Personally I use white 65 lb. test spectra with a 4-5 foot top-shot of fluorocarbon and J hooks to easily pin the bait on.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by walrus

RP knot for braid to spectra, floro to hook whichever you have become really good at tying is my recommendation.

This is my recommendation as well. 65# spectra is good. With 6 days your probably most likely going to fish all this tuna, yellowtail and dorado that's close, with a possibility of going to cedros and benitos. Make sure that you bring lots of flouro of different sizes, from 20-50#. Switch leaders depending on what kind of bait, what kind of fish and how good they're biting.
'

As far as hooks...I prefer J hooks. Owners and Gamakatsu hooks are excellent hooks but don't overlook the mustad's. Mustad hooks are pretty much disposable and cost pennies, vs dollars....and they have a bigger barb that holds a bait and holds a fish. Bring some smaller hooks like a size 2 or 4 for anchovy (just in case). Also bring 1/0 to 4/0 maybe even 5/0 hooks for the larger baits. Ringed hooks are nice to have, definitely bring some, they allow the bait to swim more naturally, you will likely get bit more. Another option is to tie a sandiego jam knot but not to cinch it down all the way, just leave a small loop, that will act as a ring. If you get bit the whole knot will cinch down tight.

Now as far as fishing spectra...it's great for fishing tuna! I personally love fishing spectra for tuna. If you have a lever drag reel that's a real plus when fishing with spectra because you can make drag adjustments quickly on the fly, more pressure or less pressure.

If you don't have a 2 speed reel get one, or borrow one or rent one. When the fishing gets hot and heavy...having that second gear is a life saver, and will allow you to catch more fish quickly.

Remember the rail is your friend!

Good luck!

[bubblehide]

The size hook generally depends on the bait your using. Your on a 6 day, so I suspect that the boat will make bait at some point; but you'll likely be starting off with anchovies as off a week ago, that was all that has been available, with exception of some Macks. So, I'd take everything from a 2 to a 6/0, just to cover all my bases.

It's possible that you could fish as far down as Alijos rocks, but I wouldn't think they would run down that far on a 6 day, as they can find good fishing well before Alijos, and they'd burn 2 days/nights getting there and back.

Up to 65 pound Floro is fine, you shouldn't need anything heavier, except for trolling, and the boat will have trolling rigs; but you might want to bring your own pre-rigged troll jigs/lure's, with 100#. I am not sure if the wahoo are still within range of a 6 day, but you may want to bring some wahoo rigs, in case they are (a call in to the Vagabond just before the departure date should answer this)

Fish spectra with short tops shots of floro, not only because your likely to get bit more, but because if you don't everyone else will be, and you'll get cut off on a regular basis. Besides, in the long run, it's less expensive, as your only changing your top-shot.

Dont forget some cast-able jigs, like salas, tady, 6X Jr, mega baits... as the fish are also hitting the jigs well right now.

Best of luck!