Tuna Stickbait Rod- Yamaga Blue Sniper Blacky 81/8, RP150, TR BD150, or other?

[Edward Wwen]

Hi,
I'm very interested in buying a stickbait rod for tuna soon. I don't want something that is too parabolic and I want some backbone for the death circle.I'll be using 70-80g swimbaits/stickbalts probably 80% of the time. And will occasionally use down to 42g  tackle house flitz. and up to 100g tailwalk gunz. Almost 100% of the time I will use stickbaits/swimbaits with this rod not poppers. I'll be fishing with a Daiwa Catalina 5000h. I'd like to fish this rod for tuna 25-50kg and maybe some up to 75kg.  I want it to be as light as possible. Typically will only fish 7-9kg drag. and then 10-11kg at death circle. Which rod you think is best for me? I usually prefer a rod around 8'

I've considered Race Point 150,Yamaga Blanks Blacky 81/8,TR black Devil150, MC Works Seven Miles 816CR (may be too light?) but am not limited to these rods at all. My top two so far are RP150 and the Yamaga Blue sniper 81/8 Blacky. Other rod options are more than welcome. The Blacky 81/8 has higher drag rating than the RP 150? The Yamaga Blanks also seems much lighter at only 387g vs the 445g that the RP150 is. But I'm worried the Blacky 81/8 may be too parabolic I like the action on the RP150 from watching videos (it seems faster action than other tuna rods), but I'd really prefer something lighter and shorter. Anyone have any experience with the Blacky 81/8? or even better and can compare to the Race Point 150? I've seen some videos on youtube and it looks fairly parabolic but still shuts off before the foregrip. Also according to Yamaga the rod is designed to be highsticked and long fights for tuna. Yamaga Blanks BLacky 81/8 looks to be designed for highsticking and long fights with large tuna?
I looked at this bend chart:
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11407006_10152902550708148_4141074664038304101_n.jpg?oh=cafd32106575ace7f950e1cae0bf2f7f&oe=571D4056



 
Edward Wen

[Leo Sorbello]

Hi Edward,

Don't discount the Hots 711MH rod. It fits your application just perfectly and is proven all over the from GT's, Kingfish and Tuna stickbaiting.

Tight Lines !.

Leo

[Edward Wwen]

Thanks Leo for the reply the Hots seems like a very nice rod but isn't it a little too light for 50kg+ tuna? Will it work the lure range I mentioned well?

I'm leaning towards TR Bd150 and RP150 now because I think the Yamga blanks blue sniper Blacky 81/8 action is too parabolic and I like some more lifting power. It seems BD150 is more progressive bend than RP150 but RP150 has more lifting power. Which has lighter tip? It seems the Rp150 can work down to 50g lures according to spec and 60g for the BD150 but it may be different in real life?

[Leo Sorbello]

The Hots 711MH has the lifting power...don't worry about that and is comfortable to use indeed. Yes, I use lures down to 50g and up to 110g with no problems at all in working them and the rod has good casting action.

Don't limit yourself for catching tuna with one rod. Like I advised, the Hots is proven with GT's, Kingfish & Tuna. A few other rods are proven as well......

Tight Lines !.

Leo

[Leigh Turner]

found my answer. Thanks Leo for the info. Now to find one.

[Sami Ghandour]

Hi Edward,

You should consider 2 rods for your application, you stated that the target fish is from 25kg to 50kg most of the time with the occasional 75kg.
the 75kg is a different animal and will put up the gear into the ultimate test, I am not putting any gear down or trying to divert you to a certain brand or rod but I don't believe that the Hot's 711 is adequate for the task, it might do the job on the big fish but who wants to be behind the rod for countless hours.
the shorter of a fight the better it is for the angler and the fish especially if you intend to practice catch and release.
Good luck.

   Tight lines
   Sami

[Oliver Deakin]

Hi Leo, Sami,

I bought a Hots Tide Lez 711MH on a bit of a whim last summer (I'm based in the UK) and didn't get to use it so far.

I am in the process of booking several trips out of Ancona for BFT in March/April/May and am wondering if I should try and swap it for something more focused on tuna, like RP 150, RF Big Tuna 710 or the Yamaga Blacky in 81/8 or even 81/10.

Anyone have real world experience of what the 711MH is capable of and what other more well known rods it compares to in terms of lure weight and fish fighting power?

Thank you.

[Leo Sorbello]

Hi Oliver,

I've given my 711MH to a customer from my friends tackle shop to test in June & July this year for our brief Bluefin run that happened off Sydney about blooming 80 kilometers before he decided to maybe purchase one amongst other rods that he also liked.

He caught 3 Bluefin in two separate outings on a big boat (43kg, 45, & 51kg) and he used PE6 line. I've not personally caught a Bluefin on my 711MH rod.

If your after casting distance...maybe the Yamaga longer rods could suit...but don't know about the Yamaga rods.

Regards

Leo

 

[Sami Ghandour]

Hi OLiver,

The Hot's will be able to handle descent size fish no doubt about and it was proven on many occasions.
Chris from Hot's landed bluefin tuna using the 711 when he fished the Cape with us and that fish was every bit of 50KG, the rod will handle the 50kg and below and it is not meant to target big fish with it but if you happen to hook one than you have no choice, I personally wouldn't cast with it knowing that there is a chance to hook a fish in the upper 50kg and that is me. Every angler have a certain preference to sensitivity versus power.

   Tight lines
     Sami

[Marc Vandaele]

Sorry for jump in
Sami for this kind of lighter lures but with the 75 kgs tunas mentioned,what rod should we look at it?
RP,carpenter ,RF or others and wich model
Thanks
Marc

[Inigo Vivanco Amato]

Hi Edward.

Could you tell me wicht rod did you finally bought?  I target the same range fish and same lures. My first option is the yamaga 81/8 but it is difficiult without seen the rod in my hands.
Any advise would be great.
Thanks all.
Iñigo

[Alex Wong]

I too am on the look out for Tuna rods for 25-80kg range tuna.
Anyone can advise which brand and model will be suitable for a 88kg fellow here?

[Brandon Khoo]

What weight of line are you thinking, Alex?

[Inigo Vivanco Amato]

I will use pe6 line

[Alex Wong]

What weight of line are you thinking, Alex?

I will be using varivas pe5 line and jerry brown 65lbs line.
Sorry that I just saw the replies the site was down for a while that time.