Hi,

(Editing the post, my friend isn't chasing yellow fin tuna but albacore)

A guiding friend loves chasing Albacore Tuna from his boat with a fly rod sent me a message. (He's also the guy I've seen chasing and holding IFGA world record with a fly rod)
And the same guy hooking a sturgeon in British Columbia with a 14wt Fly rod and snapping it like it was fire starter.

So I am looking at a user who's taking gears to the extreme. He has asked for a 9ft 9wt rod for those albacore.

He has opted for an NFC F 990-1 (Psi) [northforkcomposites.com]

Question:

Would you go for size C or D thread?

What crazy guides would you use for this fly rod?
As usual I'll likely offer him the option to go with Torzites but that will run the price up.

My thought is:
#20 - #16 - #12 and then #10 all the way with an Arrowana torzite tip top .

If too expensive.
#20 - #16 - #12 and REC titanium #5s

Thanks,
Ben



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2024 11:52PM by Ben Lori.

I would go with A thread, there will be no advantage to heavy thread on a 9 wt. rod, also you will have to rethink your running guide sizes, there are no #10 ringed tip tops anywhere close to tube size you need for that blank tip. 8 mm is possible.

It would be extremely rare to have guides tear through size A thread. Unless you need larger thread due to rod handling issues that cause wear and abrasion on the wraps, I'd stay with A.

...................

Wow, a 9 weight for yellow fin! I assume we are talking tuna. If so, I wouldn't consider less than a 12 weight and a 14+ weight would be better if the fish have any size.

Any size thread would work. I'd put my money into the stripper and tip top guides (an especially the reel). Anything Alconite/Nanolite level is good enough for the rest IMHO.

In my area if you were looking to catch yellow fin tuna, you'd be heading to Venice and packing a reel with 600 yards of 60# mono (as a minimum). A nine weight would be a permit rod, which would be more like a 250 yard 12/15# test outfit with spinning gear. Hence my amazement that an experienced guy would request a 9 weight.

Good luck with your build.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

My bad!
I called my friend for confirmation. I'll update the post saying he's chasing Albacore tuna (10-40lbs) not Yellowfin with this 9wt rod that would be indeed a bad idea!

A 9 wt. rod will be close to the power of a 6 - 10 lb. line steelhead rod, get a 30-40 lb. albacore on there you're going to need a big reel because all you will be doing is holding on and hoping they stop before you run out of line. I once tried fishing for them with my 15 lb. line class Roosterfish rod, it was doable but an extended fight.

Your customer may know exactly what he wants. Or, he might be open to other suggestions. I used to build tuna type fly rods on 8-foot heavy power Back Bouncing blanks. The shorter length enabled the angler to apply more pressure against the fish and since they were most often teasing the fish in close they didn't need extremely long casts to reach the fish. Just a thought.

.........

It does sound strange that such an accomplished angler would pick that blank for that fish.

If he was after 10# fish I could see it. IMHO it he hooked a 30-40# fish he would simply be serving tuna dinners to sharks and barracudas. I have had it happen to me and it made me sick.

I vote 12 weight. I'd give some thought to going with glass or composite. You know that fish is making a sudden surge right underneath the boat when he gets close. You need something that is durable/strong enough to break off the leader/tippet in a bit of a high stick situation.

If the fish will be teased Tom's suggestion has a lot of merit.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.