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Hello Everyone- I need some advice. Im looking at doing some tuna fishing off NC this fall/winter and need help deciding on which Penn Reel to purchase. Im currently looking at the penn 50 vsw, 70 vs, or the 50 vsx. I have already purchased two poles rated at 50-100lbs and now I need help deciding on the reel. Also what are your thoughts on mono vs. braid for tuna fishing. All your help is appreciated.
Thanks Adam
dont know much about those reels.....but id go with mono for sure......in my personal opinion, braid works well for light tackle outfits, but would never think about spooling my TLDs with it.....with mono you have a little more "give".....braid is so rigid, you can pull hooks easier I think....this applies more to me and king mackerel fishing....but im sure it applies to blue fin also?
actually i prefer to use braid backing even on 80s and 130s and then put a top shot of mono on, such as 250-400 mono, which allows a little strech in the line but you still can pack a reel with 1200 or so yards of 200 or more of braid and mono, because those tuna are stubborn and can spool you before you know it...and all this applies to bluefin.
i would go the VSX route with braid, the reel designed for braid.. I might consider not filling the whole spool though to help with the drag. I also like the fact that it is lighter than some of the bigger reels. I would trade the 70VS idea in for a Tiagra 80 if I was going to go bigger than a 50. Just my .02
Definitley need to go with braid with 100-150 yrd top shot of mono. Are you going to be stand up fishing? 50 is much better for stand up but 70 is do able and easier than a tiagra 80. I would go with the 70 even though it can be done with a 50.
yes for stand up tackle there are alot of guys out of morehead fishing CCs that are using the penn 70s, have higher capacity than 50 wides but much less weight than an 80 wide. full it with braid with the heavy 200-400 lb mono and go from there.
We fish from a chair.....Tiagra 130. 200lb braid 150 mono topshot.
Tiagra 80's 130 braid, 120 topshot if the fish are smaller.
V tough fish to fight standup. I would go with the 70's for standup for sure. Much lighter. Good luck. Hopefully the fish will show up in 6 or 7 weeks.
Going with lighter, short topshot gives the fish that break off a better chance. Fish that breaks off with 600 + yds of line will prob die.
I do the 150lb power pro braid and top shot with 200 lb mono to floro. I would think the 50W will give you plenty of line capacity and they guys at the OIFC can put it all on there for you at a reasonable price. The fun part is after you get it all on the reel... go out and wet pack it. Bring some beer and a few friends... will take a few minutes..
i agree with bullwinkle about having a short top shot however i typically like to run very heavy mono such as 300 lbs for 100 yards and then have the rest with 200-250 braid, then again this is a personal preference, i would def advise on getting the 70 because idk whether you plan to catch and release or go commercially but the faster you can bring the tuna in the better, if releasing it stands a far better chance of surving and for commercial the faster you bring it in the meat will be better and youll get a higher price for the fish..good luck and be safe, tuna fishing in the rough waters in the winter off NC can be very very dangerous.
PS dont go fishing by yourself for bluefin, think prolly everyone remebers the accident a couple of years ago when the man got wrapped up in the 'poon.
Reel Help!!! 
