Tuna popping reel

[Brandon Khoo]

I'm looking for some advice on what reel i should use for tuna popping if I am looking at using around 50lb braid. I don't know whether I should be using something like a Stella 8000 or whether I'd be better off using a 10000FA with the 10000FA sized spool. I don't think I need to load up a Dogfight or 18000 spool with 50lb for tuna but certainly am open to suggestions. I know I'm going to be asked what size fish I am targeting. I don't really know but I suppose I would be very happy if I found yellowfin in the 20-50kg mark.

[Andy Rowe]

Brandon,

I have 2 set-ups,

1)Saltiga Z4500H with 300 m of varivas tuna PE4 matched with a tenryu 7'6" tuna spike.

2)Stella 1000K XG with 300m of varivas tuna PE5 matched to a HL-TN87 as a heavier outfit.

YFT are the targets also dorado on the lighter outfit.

I like to read'sportfisherman's posts on this subject, it's very relevant for these waters.

Just my humble 2 bob.

Andy

[Jon Li]

If the tunas are under 30 kg then Stella 8000 or Saltiga Z4500 filled with PE4 on TN87 but if the tunas are closer to 50 kg then Stella 16000F filled with PE5 on LR86 would be my choise , beyond those figures I use stronger outfits such was the case with a 67 kg YFT which I subdued with SW10000HG filled with PE6 on SP710H SHP .

Jon .

[Mark Lewis]

From my limited experience, water depth is more a deciding factor than fish size.  If I was in actual deep water (over 600M deep) and was unsure about how truly large the given tuna in the area were, I'd be significantly more comfortable having more string than can fit on an 8000.   That is not in any way meant to disparage a host of YFT/BFT catches by others recently on 8000 sized reels that have gone well past the 200# mark on the scale.

[Kasey Leong]

Hi Brandon,
The water where you will be fishing will more than likely be very deep, and with YFT size ranging from 30-60+kg.

[Mark Stotesbury]

HiGuys
got to agree with mark on water depth being the big factor on spool size .no tuna should be able to spool you with todays fishing boats with there big outboards on that can chase a fish down and stay on top of it. that being said there is little hope for for you if your buddy hooks up the same time as you and you both on "small" spools ones going to get smoked  .Tuna tend to fight deep and stay close/under the boat in deep water and tend to swim off in shallower water [thats my experience ] i use a #16000 spool with 50lb and a #20000 with 80lb ygk braid .had a 40kg fish that took 400 m 50lb and had a 80kg that took less than 150m. my advice to you go bigger spool or go down to a lighter braid lots of guys catch 50-70kg yellows on 30lb braid i dont have the patients for that but it can be done
just my bit