Long Range Rods

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One question that is repeatedly asked of us is what makes the ideal set of rods for long range fishing. For any of these trips from 3 to 23 days in length there is not one easy answer.

There are many factors that enter into it, not the least of which is money. We'll start off with the assumption that there is no problem in the money department at all. We also be using Calstar blanks as our example, as these are the most requested brand for the long range crowd that comes through our store, even though there are other manufacturers making blanks that we sell for this type of fishing, ie; Seeker, Truline, Loomis, Pacific Bay, etc. What we will be talking about a minimum set of rods that will work for these trips. Now this set of rods is what I would consider to be the top of the line, and is in fact the set of rods that I am building for a trip I have planned for this coming December.

First up will be the lightest rod that I would carry if making up this minimum set, which will be a 30# outfit. The model I would pick is the Calstar Grafighter GF700M, a 7 foot blank rated for 20 to 40# line. This rod could be built with either a conventional handle assembly or cork tape. For guides I would choose from the Aftco Lite series of rollers, Perfection wire boat guides or Fuji heavy duty casting guides (BNLG-H) the choice is yours, depending on your pocketbook.

The next rod would be a 40# bait or jig outfit, for this I would choose the GF765XL, a 6 1/2 foot blank rated for 20 to 50# line, or the GF700H a 7 foot model rated for 30 to 60# line. For the handle I would choose a foam and Fuji reelseat combination, or you could also choose an Aftco or Perfection aluminum reelseat if you desire. In the guide department it's either Perfection hard chromed wire boat guides or Fuji Heavy Duty Boat guides.

Next on the list would be a 50# bait or jig outfit, choosing either a GF700XH, a 7 foot rated for 40 to 100# line or a GF765L, a 6 1/2 foot model rated for 30 to 80# line, components would be the same as the 40# rod.

That will cover the lighter rods that I would suggest for most trips, although if you have lighter tackle or fly gear, you might want to bring them along. Just remember that there are other passengers on these trips that you have to take into consideration, so don't throw out that fly line in the middle of a hot bite, because the bite could end and the whole boat is waiting on you when you are hooked up to that (fill in the type of fish)! On this rod I said you could use the same combination of components as the 40# rod, but I myself would probablyopt for the aluminum reelseat, which would make a better choice if pressed into service as a light trolling rod.

My next rod would be a 60# setup, which will also double as a trolling rod for shorter trips. For this I would choose either the GF760L rated 30 to 80#, this is a 6 foot model, or the 6 1/2 foot GF765L, with the same rating. For this rod I would definitely go with the aluminum reelseat , heavy Fuji guides or go to the Aftco rollers if you desire. My own choice would be the would be the GF765L, 10 inch rear grip, Aftco seat, 12 inch fore grip and Fuji "LR" series guides. Match this with A Shimano TLD II 30, with the Cal Sheets spool bearings, 500 yards of 65# Spectra topped with 60# mono, and you will be set in that midrange bait situation.

Next we'll tackle the heavy stuff and look at 80# tackle, which I think you should have for any length trip, my choice would be a "Grafighter" GF760M, this blank is rated for 40 to 100 # line and is 6 feet in length. I would set this up with an 8 to 10" rear grip, Aftco or Perfection aluminum seat, 16" fore grip and 6 Aftco roller guides and tip. Don't forget the gimbal! Match this up with a Cal Sheets 2-speeded and blueprinted Penn 50 International filled with 500 yards of 100# Spectra and topped with 80# mono and your set . Other reel choices would be an Accurate 50 or a Shimano TLD II 50 LRS. This setup works well for bait fishing for big tuna, bottom fishing for big yellowtail, and when your trolling team comes up to bat.

These 5 choices that I've described are what I would call the bare minimum set. If you need to add to this I would start in the 40 to 50# area of bait and jig sticks. Then if longer trips are planned, you need step up to a 100# setup. This would be basically the same as the 80# outfit, except stepping up to a GF 760H, rated for 50 to 130# line. Next addition would be a second 80# outfit.

So going back through "my" choices:

Again let me reiterate that this is not an advertisement for these products, just if the choice was mine, what I would probably choose.