We would like to recommend a few new ways of rigging your gear this season that we think will greatly improve your hook and land ratio for big tuna.

    Before I get started, let me mention that you can bring out your gear as it is and we will be able to get you up to speed while traveling down to the Islands. If you don't have the time or any of this is confusing to you, just forget this note and we will get you fixed up on board.  All you need to do is show up with your normal gear.

    In the following I have broken each rig down to the size of reel, line size and type, the top shot and  leaders, what style of fishing you will be using it for, why we think it is better than other techniques and its disadvantages.

    100 lb. Rig: Your 100-200 lb. rig should be a 50W Shimano or Penn 2 speed reel.  The backing should be 135 lb. spectra and you should fill it almost full (approx. 900 yds.). Leaving only enough space for a 100lb. or 200 lb. mono top shot that is the length of the distance you can cast the rig. You can buy top shots made up that already have a loop on one end or we can easily make them up on board the boat.   We fasten the top shot to the spectra with a loop to loop or use our own spectra to mono splice that has 100% strength.  Just bring you top shot material and we will show you these methods on the boat.  The hook or in case of a squid rig the wire leader will be attached to 200 lb. mono top shot, with crimps you normally use for mono.  If you choose to use a 100 lb. top shot you will tie it to a 3 ft. 200 lb. mono leader.  If your top shot gets damaged, you won't necessarily replace it.  You might just take a few feet off and re-crimp or re-tie.

    The uses for this rig will be fly lining salamis, caballitos, greenies, flying fish, etc.  It will also be your big bait kite rig for salamis, flyers and squid.  And last this will be your chunk rig.  You will need hooks (8/0-9/0 Mustad 7691's) with swivels on then for this rig so your line doesn't get spun up for 200 lb. top shots. For 100 lb. top shots you will use 3 ft. 200 lb. mono leaders with a swivel.

    We are having you switch to mostly 135 lb. Spectra with a short top shot of mono so your live bait will swim more freely, without the drag of 200 yards of mono holding them back you will get bit a lot better.  When we are using the smaller kite baits or there is a lack of wind, you will be able to get your kite bait out into the bite zone due to less line drag. In the chunk line you should be able to let your chunk drift more freely and stay in line when the boat is swinging. And you won't be getting spooled with 900 yards of Spectra.

    80 lb. Rig: Your 80 lb. rig should be a Shimano or Penn 50 size 2 speed reel, with 135 lb. Spectra filled )approx. 675 yds.) to leave enough room for a casting length top shot of 80 lb. mono. This rig will mainly be used for fly lining smaller baits such as sardines caballitos and greenies.  You will be tying your hook on straight to the mono.  You may choose in this case to use a circle hook instead of a J hook in hopes of hooking the fish in the corner of the mouth.  Whenever using live bait, it is always key to let your bait swim freely as possible. Only having a casting length of mono on this rig is going to greatly increase your hook up ratio. And with 675 yards of Spectra you shouldn't get spooled on this rig with the proper drag setting.

    60 lb. Rig: Your 60 lb. rig should be a Shimano TLD 30 with 135 lb. Spectra filled (approx. 425 yds.). Leave enough room for a casting length top shot of 60 lb. mono.  This will be your light line fly lining rig.  You won't use a smaller or light line than this.  Mostly you will fish sardines with this rig and may want to use a circle hook.  Your chance of getting spooled on this rig is approx. 30% on a fish over 200 lbs.  The 425 yards of Spectra is the same amount of line a 50W with 100 lb. mono holds. Not to worry though, we always have three backups ready at all time.

    We have already mentioned most of the advantages. The only one left I can think of is the fact you won't ever have to change the Spectra and you will save in the long run by only putting a few feet of mono on rather than hundreds of yards of mono each time you change your top shot.

    One of the big disadvantages is the tangle you will get.  It can be quite the mess. Hopefully the fact that we only have 10-16 anglers on our 16 day trips will off set it.  We really don't want you using short 3 foot leaders tied straight to Spectra. One, there will be even more tangles. And two, without any mono there is no strength.  This will be tougher on you fighting your fish and you will more hooks on long battles.

    The yardage indicated above is what a professional with a line-winding machine can put on.  Make sure it goes on tight and at small angles when moving back and forth across the spool.  When fishing you will have to take great care to insure you wind it on level.

    One last thing in regards to wahoo fishing.  One rig that isn't very common in most anglers arsenal is a Trinidad or Calcutta with 20 lb. test mono and a 27 lb. wire leader for finess wahoo fishing on the anchor.  We have seen anglers catch as many as a dozen wahoo in a trip when fishing is slow using this rig.

    Call me if you have any questions, Thanks and see you on the boat,    Tommy Rothery.

    In the following we have complied a list of the type of gear and tackle most commonly brought on a 14-18 day trips.  It is by not means a complete list and some people may even consider it to be more than needed.  Our main goal is to help our passengers be as prepared as possible for their trip aboard the Polaris Supreme.

 Personal Gear:
  

• Duffel Bags:  Instead of hard luggage use duffel bags.  It is more convenient for storage.
   
• Pants: Bring 1 change per day.  Light material is preferred so they dry quickly.
   
• Shirts: Bring 1 change per day.  If you are sun sensitive - long sleeves would be in order.  Light fabric for quick drying and coolness in hotter weather.
   
• Socks: Definitely bring a pair for every day, plus a few extra pairs.
   
• Shorts: For those hot sultry days to sunbathe and keep cool.
   
• Jacket and Sweatshirt: For those cold night fishing bait.
   
• Sneakers: Bring two pairs so will always have a dry pair. A good arch support helps keep your feet from getting sore.
   
• Rubber Boots: Make sure they are soft rubber and have a good arch support.
   
• Sandals: For hotter days down south.
   
• Hats: Straw or the type with the flaps down the back are preferred in hotter weather. Otherwise a baseball caps are fine
   
• Light Rain Gear: Very seldom used but appreciated when needed.
   
• Sun Glasses: polarized to cut the glare and help see into the water, with straps to prevent lose over the side.
   
• Sunscreen: Sweat-proof, water-proof, broad spectrum. SPF 15 or higher.
   
• Toiletries: Bath towels, shampoo, cream rinse, soap, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
   
• Tools: Dikes, duck bill pliers, holder, and belt. Hook sharpener.
   
• Rod Belts: Light leather type is fine for smaller fish. But you have to have the heavy aluminum type with a gimbal bar
   
• Harness: Should be the type that fit around your butt that you can sit it.  A kidney belt that rides low on your back is ok.
   
• Knee Pads: Come in handy when fighting large tuna.
   
• Rubber gloves: For handling your fish at the end of the trip.
   
• Camera and Film: For a vivid memory of your trip. Video recorders are often brought on trips as well. Our TV system is set up so you can play it back at the end of the day.
   
• Entertainment: During travel time it's nice to have books and magazines to read.  You can also bring VHS tapes and Walkman cassette players.
   
• Writing Material: Notebook, stationary, pens and pencils for making notes on what to bring next trip or keeping a log of the trip.
   
• Passport: Only a passport is acceptable to Mexican Naval officials on Socorro, Clarion Island and Mexican Naval vessels for proof of citizenship.
   
• Cocktail Mixes: We carry hard liquor sea stores on board but no mixes or cigarettes.  Remember our indoor areas are non-smoking.
   
• Seasick Medicine: Check with your doctor for preferred type. (scopolamine, bonamine, merrizine, wristbands, etc.)

Rods & Reels:

	20-30 lb. live bait outfit (1)
	40 lb. live bait/jig outfit (1)
	50 lb. live bait outfit (1)
	60 lb. live bait outfit (1)
	80 lb. trolling outfit (1)
	80 lb. live bait (1)
	100 lb. live bait (1)

    There are several variations on model numbers and types of rods and reels to numerous to list here.  Your favorite California slat water tackle store can help you with these variations.  If you need information on the location of the nearest qualified tackle store near you we would be glad to send you a list.  Just drop us a line

    When Choosing your rods most manufacturers will give you a range of line classes that a particular rod is rated for, always use the lower half of the ratings.  For example if a rod is rated for 30-60 lb., you will probably be looking at a 30 or 40 lb. class rod.  Seeker and Calstar are two of the better rod blanks for ocean sportfishing.  The guides on your rods should be ring type, hardened stainless steel for rods up to 40 lb.  All rods from 50 lb. and up should be stainless steel roller guides. Aftco makes the best roller guides.  And all rods in the 50 lb. class and up should have a 4-way gimbaled rod butt.

    When choosing reels in the lighter line class up to 50 lbs., Shimano, Newell and Penn all make a wide range of reels. For 60 lbs. and up you need to stick with Shimano and Penn and go to their 2 speed solid frame reels.  Shimano definitely has the lead in quality and reliability here.  The Shimano TLD 30 II two-speed is our favorite reel for a 50-60 lb. rig to land the 80-200 lb. bluefin and bigeye on these trips.

   There are several brands of quality line available for the anglers, we recommend P-Line.

Terminal Tackle:

• Hooks - Eagle Claw, laser sharp. L118Mag - bronze finish.
  36 ea. - 1, 2, 1/0, 2/0, 4/0, 
  60 ea. 6/0 and 9/0
  Mustad 7691 Big Game
  60 ea. 7/0, & 8/0
  30 ea. 9/0
   
• Line - The most common line size where extra is needed is 80 lb. and 100 lb.  Make sure you bring extra bulk line.  If you need to re-fill you can purchase line on board.  
  Mono Leader Material - 200 yd. of 200 lb., 100 yd. of 150 mono
   
• Mono Sleeves - 150 ea. 150 lb. mono, 250 ea. for 200 lb. mono
  One pair of crimping pliers for mono.  Mono and wire crimping pliers are different.
• Wire - 30 foot spool of 40 lb. Sevenstrand (2)
           30 foot spool of 60 lb. Sevenstrand (3)
           30 foot spool of 90 lb. Sevenstrand (1)
           30 foot spool of 175 lb. Duratest 49 strand (2)
           30 foot spool of 400 lb. Duratest 49 strand (1)
      All stainless steel wire is UNCOATED (no plastic coating)
   
• Wire Sleeves - 400 ea. A-2, 100 ea. A-3, 100 ea. A-6, 50 ea. A-8 
  All Sevenstrand Sleeves - One wire crimping pliers
   
• Rings - Heavy duty welded wire type 
  50 ea. #5 or small, 
  50 ea. #7 or medium, 
  100 ea. # 9 or large
   
• Swivels - 24 ea. # 7 ball bearing type
   
• Sinkers - Split-shot 24 ea. - 1/4 oz. & 3/8 oz. 
  Torpedo 24 ea. 6 oz., 8 oz., & 12 oz.,
   
• Casting Lures - 
  24  total small heavies assorted chrome, bronze purple anodized, etc., with forged single hooks. 
  "Bombs" 12 total. When deciding on lures it is sometimes best to wait and consult your tackle store prior to leaving on your trip.  There may be some hot new jig out.
   
• Trolling Lures -
  2 to 4 Bonita Plugs or Flashdancers  Black/Orange favored color.
  2 16 oz. Jet Head Lures
  1 Marlin jig 
  3 ea. 10/0 forged single hook. 
  We have trolling rods set-up for all passengers to use when it is their turn to troll.
   
• Squid catchers - 2 total  (green or white)
   
• Mackerel Catchers -12 ea. 4 fly Yo-Zuri or Habatsu
                             12 ea. 2 or 3 large fly Yo-Zuri
   
• Rubber Bands 100 thin type for break away sinkers rigs at night.
   
• Tackle Box - Wood or Plastic to store your tackle.  Make sure to bring a small plastic one for the skiff.

   Remember for the angler not wishing to make the initial investment you can borrow rods, reels, harnesses and rod belts on board the boat free of charge when you book your trip.  Just reserve then with Susan.  Tackle can be purchased on board as needed at reasonable tackle store prices.

   If you are confused as to how you will be rigging your gear, don't fret, we have tackle seminars on all of our trips.  There are also several helpful books.  Stand-Up Fishing by Nick Curcionie is an excellent choice.