Fishing Rods for Marlin

[TROPICALGHANA]

Dear friends,

Which Rods would you recommend for Blue Marlin fishing? Brand and size. My friends here in Ghana are recommending me the Penn International II 50 Lb. Any suggestions? Also where to buy them online?


What are the issues one must consider for a rod? Is there any specific line in Lbs. one rod should take? Line must be proportion to the type of rod?
Thanks....

Marco

[Patudo]

Most important is what is the size range of the fish in your area... second is are you going to fish from a fighting chair or standing up?

Ghana is a great fishery for blue marlin and if you want to catch the really big ones (at least two over 1,000 lbs have been caught in Ghana) you're going to need heavy tackle, 130 lb gear. There are enough smaller ones around that fishing smaller lures on lighter tackle (80 lb line) could be a lot of fun. If you don't have a fighting chair you're going to need a good quality stand up rod and maybe a smaller reel (50W rather than 80W) as well as a good quality harness and belt. If you have a fighting chair then an 80W reel with an 80 lb bent butt rod is suitable. Oh yeah - unless you plan to do a lot of live-baiting, you will normally be trolling three or four rods, so you're going to have to multiply the expense of rod, reel, line etc..

[TROPICALGHANA]

Dear Patudo,

No fighting chair in my boat, but have harness. Lots of line 30/50 and 80, 5 rods, reels and a quite variety of lures ready to use. Boat will be ready with new engine this weekend, but planning in few weeks to go with other boats offshore. My friends showed me the marlin rods, and they are like 1 feet bigger than mine. What brand or model could you suggest?

There are few boats going these days offshore and feel like we have the whole place for few of us. Can;t wait......

[JESSEAJAMES]

Look at the stalker 50-100lb model sosb-mb they are about 700.00 each They are made from calstar grafhiter blanks. Stalker make the best poles out there. You can check out there website http://www.stalkeroutfitters.com/outfitters/index.asp

[Patudo]

Now should be a great time to fish Ghana. I know some of the guys that fish out of Ada Phoa, where along the coast are you based?

If you never hooked a blue marlin before, use the heaviest gear you can lay your hands on. 30 lb tackle is great for sailfish but even a small 200 lb marlin can surprise you with just how fast and powerful they are, even on 80. You will also need a lot of line on your reels as even if you chase them with the boat they can still run very fast and far. If you are fishing with straight monofilament, I would advise a minimum of 50W reels with 50 lb line. You have every chance of raising a 400 or 500 lb fish and the chances that a fish like that will spool you are too great on anything smaller. If you put out small tackle use it with a small lure like a feather which will catch your dinner but reduce your chances of hooking a marlin.

For a rod to be used stand up fishing, length is not as important as power and effectiveness. Too long and stiff is no good but too soft and spongy is no good either. There are lots of good rods available but unfortunately there is even more junk, especially most of the stuff available in Europe. Most European manufacturers simply don't understand the requirements of big game fishing. What sort of budget are you on? If you are limited to $200-300/rod you will need to look carefully to find rods that can handle the kind of fish you are likely to hook on them. If you can afford $400-600+/rod then you will probably have a lot of very good big game rods to choose from.

[TROPICALGHANA]

Patudo,

I just finished a weekend house in Ada Phoa, in an island just at the mouth connecting the sea. I have a bayliner trophy 20. Just purchased outriggers, new line etc. Fishing reels 50W and wore them with 30 Lb line (700 monofilament) some and 350 with 80 Lb the others.
I know I will need bigger reels which I will buy them gradually as I move on....

The best fishing charter now in Ghana is the Hooker in Ada. Capt. Hook is also around but in Takoradi. He is excellent 2. I know Cap from the hooker is getting ready to start the season in Ghana, and hope could follow him offshore once he comes.

The budget is open once I get the right equipment . Just the freight to Ghana makes it worth to spend more in quiality items, as freight is the same

[twotems]

Hi Marco, I have had six Boatersworld Outerbanks rods in the 50-130lb model range for the past seven years and they've served me very well. We fish the same waters as you and I don't think anything more is required. Having said that (if money is no object) there are better rods out there, but some prices are outrageous. The Outerbanks rods are an excellent value.


I also have a couple of huge Marlin rods that I never use any more because they're not necessary for the type of fish we get. The only firm reccommendation I would make is to spool your 50's with as much 80lb Spectra as you can get and add a 100yd topshot of 80 lb mono. It should take 800-1000 yds of line in total. When you do get a huge fish you'll be grateful for that extra line.

Email me if you need more info.

[Patudo]

Marco,

Clay Hensley from the Hooker and his wireman Bo Jenyns are some of the best marlin fishermen in the world. I know both of them fairly well (I will send you a private message). Very good fishermen to learn from. If you keep your eyes and ears open you will be able to learn a lot from professional fishermen of this calibre.

Good quality 50W reels are pretty much the smallest tackle you should be using for blue marlin in Ghana, but with good boat handling you should be safe although some fights will be very very exciting (!!!!!!!). 30 lb line is too light. Use 50 lb extra strength line like Momoi Diamond (actual breaking strength closer to 80 lb) or thin diameter 80 lb line like Suffix. You can also use 130 lb spectra backing and connect to a 80 to 100 lb mono topshot. The Hooker guys can teach you the right connections and knots.

Best regards

P.

[Sam Salmon]

I have a couple Penn rods and wouldn't recommend them to anyone-they were never that well made and now the finish hasn't stood up even with careful washing in freshwater after each use.

http://www.seekerrods.com and http://calstarrods.com/ are 2 of the better brands.