Custom Tuna Rods
 

I just wanted to pass along a great tuna rod builder to you guys. I fish for giants from the bow of my 23' and the rods that this guys builds are perfect for this type of fishing. They also work great from the stern of a larger boat because of their forgiving nature.

The rod is designed for 130 sized reels, BUT they are longer and more flexible than a standard "chair style" rod. Most large rod manufacturers are stuck in the age of fighting chairs....they make short, stout tree trunks....fighting a giant from a rod holder with this kind of rod is difficult. What this company does is it uses a 80lb blank, gets some extra length and adds a couple more rollers. With 60lbs of pressure on large bluefin the tip is at the same level as the reel. This puts more pressure on the fish and is more forgiving. I have lost 80% less fish with this rod because I get them in more quickly and with less pulled hooks.

I am hesitant to put this information out to the masses (much like other commercial tuna fisherman), but I can't help it, these things work great......I have a picuture of the rod in action (fighting a 750 bluefin) if anyone is interested (don't know how to post it, but I can email it).

The company name is Mad Fish Tackle....email Dave at madfishtackle@yahoo.com.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Eric ..... Please send some pictures !!! This blank that is used is it top secret or can I buy the blank. What about lower rated blanks (50 Lb blanks) for trolling

Cant wait to see the pics !!!! If its alright we can post them to this thread

Seacraft232000@yahoo.com

Thanks
Scott

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Scott - I will send pictues right now.

I think he can make 50's for you as well - you might want to call him. I am not sure of the blank....maybe Saber?

Not sure if you would see the advantage in a smaller rod though.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Thanks Eric

I'll take a look....Do you want me to post the picture here ???

I tinker around a little with rod building myself and would most likely build them on my own.... hence the question about the blanks [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Sure Scott, feel free to post the picture/s.

I just talked to Dave, the blank is a CalStar blank - all fiberglass - 6.5ft or longer depending on your taste - it is a 80 class rod that uses 130 sized guides and butt and of course 130 reel.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Thanks Eric for the information

and your pics:

Let the games begin
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...b/fc92789e.jpg

Game over

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...0/fc92782c.jpg

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Eric M,
trying to understand your post [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] your speaking of a rod holder( harness belted onto your body?)or a fighting chair?

in order to understand the most basic concept of stand-up fishing, keep in mind the idea of a tug-of-war between man and fish...long rods, similiar to what is ordinarily used in a fighting chair, leave the stand-up angler at a terrible disadvantage against the fish when used out and away from the fighting chair...the closer we can get the stand-up angler's tackle to approximating a tug-of-war, the better off he or she will be...this usually means using the shortest rod posible,while still remaining inside IGFA spec's and allowing the angler to perform the needed tasks at hand... in most instances, this usually means that 6 feet is the longest length that the average angler can handle and still reap the benefits of stand-up or high-leverage style fishing...on those rods meant for really powerful and large fish, using lines rated for 80lb and up and holding plenty of drag pressure on the reel, rods in the 5 feet 6 inch to 5 feet range may be even more suitable...

but if your fishing from a fighting chair then the above would be the opposite...
(credits Tom kirkman,E.Gary P)

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

EP Gary-

Just FYI...

The "new" thing in bluefin fishing in New England is to use bent butt rods fished in a swivel rod holder. When a fished is hooked the rod is never removed from the swiveling holder simply fought from that gunnel mounted rod holder.

Is it less sporting than a Murray Bros. fightin' chair? Yeah, but there are no sportfisherman when it comes to the New England bluefin fishery.

Seems the rods that are a bit longer would be a real advantage!

Thanks for the info!

-Hooper

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Thanks, Hoop,

Sportsmanship no longer follows the laws of physics in New England. Gee whiz, my life at Brown is all for naught. Touche.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Right on Hooper.....we fight them right out of the rod holder. I don't think it is any less sporting though....it is probably harder to do it from the holder than from a chair (physically).

I will say that the bluefin tuna industry in N.E. is something to behold. It is like the wild west out there....I will say that you don't exactly get the "sporting" feel from other boats out there - they just as drop their anchor on your deck and start chuming.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Eric I sent you a private message let me know what you think. Email me if you get a chance: brian@twinlights.com

Thanks.

[ March 06, 2003, 12:02 PM: Message edited by: NJfishman ]

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

I'm becoming more aware that Eric_m-n-Hoop either did not read my thread or did not understand it...

As per stand-up which is what i formaly was speaking of...This type of fishing is not only tougher but dangerous too when using heavy tackle...

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Gary-

I getcha now, regarding the stand-up, and I agree! tricky at best and dnagerous if not done right!
[img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
-Hooper

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

I have never seen someone fight a giant bluefin (at least a good sized on 700+) successfully with standup gear. With anything less than 80lb gear I don't think you would be able to turn the head of a fish that big - it would simply fight until it died and then plant itself on the bottom....if it didn't kill you first.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Eric_m,
I have more then once, line was rated above 80lb, fish was 810lb and pulled into the boat...A fish that weights 800lb does not weight the same under water...Eric, get yourself a record book(worlds record) too...

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Eric-

Did you just get slammed? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

You must have been fighting a marlin or something....obviously you have never tied into a giant bluefin....a whole different story.

you are right, a 800 lb fish weighs less underwater, but when it dies, it weighs more than 80lbs! it will slowly pull line from your reel until it dies on the bottom....

maybe you should try it sometime and see for yourself....

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Eric_M,

Are you following my thread? Marlin?...
Let me give you some info: about a Bluefin over a Marlin: Marlin and Sails wear themselves out much more rapidly as for there jumps...The Bluefin has more POWER, STAMINA then anything else...

~~~~~~~~~
ERIC_M> WROTE>you are right, a 800 lb fish weighs less underwater, but when it dies, it weighs more than 80lbs! it will slowly pull line from your reel until it dies on the bottom....
~~~~~~~~~

It is obvious you haven't had my experiences if, your fish died then that was your fault...Plus a fish weighs the same alive or dead under water as long as it doesn't lose any blood or fluids actually, its a lot easier to bring the dead fish up...

Maybe you should try the correct tackle so your bluefin does not die on you...If there is anything further just email me I shall try and aim you in the right direction...

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Eric_M,

Relax already! this site is more about gaining information than testosterone comparison charts. If someone has accomplished something that you previously thought not possible, would it not be better to try and gain some info from that person instead of being inflamitory?

I recall an article I read a few months ago in a salt water fly fishing magazine stating, with photo, that the first tarpon had been caught in the Seychelles, off the east coast of Africa. I found this article very amusing, as there is a framed print above my desk of me holding a fly caught tarpon on the island of Mahe, in Seychelles - OVER SIX YEARS AGO!

My point, is that just because you haven't done it, or seen it done, doesn't mean it hasn't been done by someone else. Moreover, suggesting someone "give it a try sometime" who claims to have already done it is plain ingnorant at best.

Happy fishing...

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Guys - to be honest, I really don't know how we got on the subject of stand up gear for bluefin. Gary, if you can catch a big bluefin with stand up gear, more power to you. The last thing I am trying to do is compare "testosterone" levels with you, I have nothing to prove.

I originally started this thread to let people know about a new type of rod (new because I have not seen anyone use it in the Northeast tuna fishing fleet) that I had success with. Maybe it's not to you guys...typically we fish right out of the rod holder. We tried these rods last season and had great luck with them, only pulling a few hooks. Anyone who is interested, let me know and I can put you in touch with the maker of them - they are specifically designed for the type of bluefin tuna fishing that is popular up here.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Actually I wish there was a bit more rod/reel info floating around, so I'm greatful for the custom rod info, thanks.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Hey Hooper -

Sure, no problem - I will email you the info.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Hey Eric-

I am in the market this season for s couple 130 bent butt rigs, I would be interested in your rod builder. Could you contact me directly at ggibbons@attbi.com with the info????

"No good deed shall go unpunished" [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

-Hooper

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

These rods have been around for awhile down here on the cape. CMS enterprises in new bedford makes them, as does Tight lines tackle in Maine. One of the nicknames for them is chatem rods. They are definately a big help when using light leaders, say 150# test. I lost fish last season, because I wasn't using them.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Remeber Tuna's & Sharks have NO air bladders sound up & Down with power !!Catch a 10# Tuna or most mackerals & compare that with any other !
Caught a 20+'/?000#s Great white "STANDING UP"! Got Him to The Vessel ,He looked at Me I looked at Him & POW ! He was GONE !!!!!!
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Bob - I know where you are coming from - the year before last we lost a bunch of fish (over 14) mainly from pulling hooks....I really think it was the rods we were using...just too stout and unforgiving....we started using the longer and more flexible rods last year and had a MUCH higher catch ratio. More fun watching the rod bend too. Come to think of it....the first time we saw them used was the BB bouy....I guess that's why they call them "Chatham" rods.

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

Oh by the way, I forgot to mention I caught Him w/ 1/4" Handline,Gloves,Bucket of water !
Still a great a Great Challange !
Scream'n Hands' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Custom Tuna Rods
 

OUCH, I have HEARD of that before....but never witnessed it! Now THAT is hard core...