Poor Man's Tuna Fly Rod

[lowwall]

Well I know most of you have been there at some point in time. You sock away some dough for something then all hell breaks loose. In my case it was 6 new tires and new trailer lights. Ate up all my extra cash.

I have been doing allot of rod building lately. So I tried to find away to get myself a Tuna rod for under $150 bucks.

Right off the bat all fly banks 13 and up are out, so I started investigating fast action spinning blanks and came up with a extra fast Calstar Eglass blank rated for 20-40Lb test that is popular with Yellow tail fisherman out west. The blank was less than $60 Bucks and is a proven performer on fish to 200LB.

I ordered all my components .I plan on using cork tape and flocked shrink wrap for a grip to keep the weight down. This ain’t going to win any beauty contests!

Whole thing came to 130.00

The big question was how would it cast? I have been into tuna before with a spin rod; it is not a blind casting game. Rod weight is not a huge issue.

The components came today! I taped on my Bass reel (Still need a Tuna reel) loaded with the 700gr line I plan on using and the first Striper guide and the tiptop on. I figured a test cast in this raw form would tell me if I had a Fly rod in the works or a bunch of components to return. First cast in my yard was 80ft without any hauling or any effort, the line did all the work. Assembled it should be a cannon. Will keep you posted on how it works out

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/lowwall/IMGP0147.jpg


Mike

[Steve H.]

Hey lowwall...simply said, YOU ROCK.

I am thoroughly impressed with your innovations and I wish you the best of luck chasing those footballs. I've done my share of jaunts (and spent my share of coin) running across Jeffrey's and Stellwagen trying to bag one of those bad boys, but have never been able to make it work out.

With the price of 14-weights prohibitive for most of us working folk, it's nice to see someone like you coming up with a new and cost-effective plan to get a tuna on a fly.

[BugChucka]

The things I'd do to catch a tuna on a fly..... :oops:

[Solid]

What length is that rod?

[s2ary]

Think the rod is expensive, wait to eat the reel prices... :evil:

[lowwall]

The rod is 8' and is a one piece. So this will not be going anywhere my truck cank take me.

The reel is another $$ problem. I can't justify 400+ for a reel that is dedicated to a fish that i may get one shot a year at. I use an 11Wght for bass all the time using a 500Gr and 700gr line. The reel i have been using is an Okuma integrity 11WGHT. I also use this reel on my spey rod for salmon/steel. They are great reels for Salmon/Steelhead but cannot take the corosion of the salt water.I have had this reel for 3yrs and have got all my money out of it. It still fuctions fine but the finish is wearing off everywhere.I would have had one of the new TFO haydens but they will not be availible till the end of this month. The problem with this reel as a multipurpose is they weigh a 14.5 Ounces . From what i hear they are great reels that in a pinch can be used to pound in tent spikes or club baby seals depending on the situation. The new TFO Blue water rods get great reviews as well.
I was torn between the Gilmore reel or the Loop/ Danielson Reel. The gilmore is nice has an interchangable spey drag system. The construction seems a little intricate for saltwater though so I went with the loop/Danielson. It weighs a little over 8OZ and has a good blue water track record.I got one on Ebay for under $450.00. This should serve my needs for my tuna rod, heavy striper rod and spey rod. Will post pictures when complete. Hope to be constructed and rigged by next weekend.

Mike

[s2ary]

Mike,
Go to Terry's web site, he has a specials page that has his blems. I've picked up 3 reels there. You can not tell the difference.

One has a few ports that are a degree or two off. One the color was off slightly, and I forget what the third was like.

They are awsome reels. In the future if terry realy ramps up the mass production you will see his reels rival the best of them

[lowwall]

Those are some great deals! Once you do the Aussie $ to Greenbacks conversion. Funny how they push there new reel finish. I have been using 2 Redinton AL 9/10's for 6yrs or so. These have been fished hard. Maintenace is Garden hose every trip and sink wash every 5 or 6 where i check to see if everthing still looks greased enough. I could have bought 4 redingto'ns for the price of one Hayden. Not to say Haydens are not Far superior.
To late for me , I have already laid out the dough for my reel. Hopefully it does not get fried with the first tuna hookup.

Mike

[s2ary]

I don't want to admit this but, I haven't washed any of my reels in at least 2 years.... :shock: It bothered me at first..but now it's "Back in the box with you."

Of course I wipe the salt off before each use :roll: but other than that I check the knots every so often and that is it.

Good to Go. 8)

[Fish_King_7]

I really like the gilmores and definatly plan on getting one someday. A rep was showing them to me a few years back down at one of the Mass FF shows, he definatly caught my eye

Caleb

[Fish_King_7]

So where is the finishd results? Something go wrong, or did ya get side tracked. I am curious to see how it all panned out for ya

Caleb

[lowwall]

Had a problem with a Lost in the mail reel seat, I also found a real fly blank for less than $70. The original blank will make a nice Gaff.( Which i don't need but what the hay)
Will post update soon with Photo's and hopefully a Tuna!

Thanks For Keeping Me Honest!
Mike

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