I need some suggestions on guides and sizes for a Fly Rod being use for tuna. Anyone ever build one?

Thanks in advance

David Banaka

You can use any top of the line SIC guides for the strippers.

I'd start with 25, 20. 16. 12. 10.

Then switch some nice heavy duty snakes for the next 5. H&H makes some of the best I've seen.

chris

David,

Without a doubt, SiC ceramic throughout. You're not casting far so if you can keep things straight at your feet there is no benefit of using big guides. I'd go with a #16 V frame followed by a #12, #10 tamer setup with the V-frames. Then drop straight to either #10 or #8 single foot ceramics for the rest of the rod. Tuna will smoke a reel/line. You want the slickness of the SiC guides to cut as much of that friction as you can.

I'd also look for something a little heavier than a 12 for Tuna. A 14 wt wouldn't be out of place and a 15/16 would probably be better unless you plan to stick with 25 lb inshore schoolies.

Thanks,
Rick

I don't think snakes are a good idea for a rod with that intent........ that is just my oppinion . Personaly I would use a couple of high framed strippers , then single foot stainless with incerts , or better yet titanium framed runners, I would even concider double foot runners . Depending on the blank , you can incorperate a fighting grip on the butt section , I've done so on few 10 wts , against my better judgement and the advice of others.........but the rods have held up so far. The guide size will depend on the lines used , and knot size . That's big fish that's going to be on the end of the line, should be fun. JD

Got Fish ?

A 12 weight fly rod is a great casting rod, if you build it so.

In this day and age a 12 weight is not the beast they used to be. I have built quite a few and can quite easily drop the whole line.

Not to say you couldn't build it to be a drop back rod for sailfish or such for short casts. But why would you want to??

A forward fighting grip on a 12 weight is a must.

The size BFT/YFT you can comfortably target on a 12 weight is right around the 50# range. Anything larger and you get into marathon battles of an hour+. Not good for fish survival or angler back. If this is the size class of fish you think you will be targeting, you will want a decent casting stick. You could use single footed guides, but snakes in this size rod are in no way a hinderance.

If you plan on chasing larger fish, consider a 14 weight.

chris

He is using the rod for Tuna off of the Oregon coast.

I don't know the tuna fishery out there very well, being on the East Coast.

But a 50# tuna here or there is about tops for a 12 weight IMO.

A 50# YFT will give a 12 weight all it can handle, a 50# BFT is much more manageable.

Ask him some more questions as to specific species and size category. I would consider 12 the mini,um for tuna and i've built up to 19 for them. They put to test every inch of the fly rod.

chris

Chris,

We get the smaller guys out her 10-30 # or so.

David,

That 12 weight is going to be perfect.

I would build it as a casting stick, with larger strippers and snakes. For fish in that size class it will be great for casting and fighting. Not overpowering, but no long drag outs that can unnecessarily kill the tuna.

chris