{"id":125128,"date":"2025-10-10T09:08:58","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T09:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=125128"},"modified":"2025-12-31T10:53:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T10:53:22","slug":"tuna-fishing-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/tuna-fishing-gear\/","title":{"rendered":"Tuna Fishing Gear: An Expert Angler’s Guide to What You Need"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Tuna<\/a> species around the world offer up serious big game battles for any angler. The most common Tuna species are the Yellowfin, Bluefin, Bigeye, Longfin, and Blackfin Tunas. Bluefin Tuna can reach over 1,000 pounds, but average in the 50–300 pound class. Meanwhile, Yellowfin and Bigeye can top out around 300 pounds, Longfin around 60 pounds, and Blackfin Tuna around 30 pounds. As sizes can vary, various fishing gear and tactics are used to tangle with Tuna species. <\/p>

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Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Azores Fishing Charter\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

I’ve traveled the world tackling Tuna, and I’m here to bestow some advice for you. The main thing I have to say is: Anyone who slacks on gear prep or lack of focus will be left behind! Therefore, here’s some basic knowledge to get you in the game. <\/p>

Trolling Tuna Fishing Rods, Reels & Lures <\/h2>

One of the easier ways to hook into Tuna is by trolling<\/a> lures and baits. Drag them behind the boat in a spread, moving at around 5 to 7 knots. The goal of trolling is to put out lures that create intense commotion on the water’s surface, appearing like a school of bait being chased by a predatory fish. You’ll try trolling when searching for Tuna schools that aren’t visible, or when you’re exploring an area to see if there is any life around. <\/p>

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Photo courtesy of Tuna Tail Charters<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

You’ll need heavy-duty rods<\/strong> to handle the torque the big lures and baits put on the rod and reel. Rods should be rated for 50–200-pound class, with brands like Penn International and Shimano Tallus offering good sticks. Match these with 30W, 50W, 80W, or 130W class reels <\/strong>– again from Penn International and Shimano Tiagara – spooled with 80 to 100-pound monofilament<\/strong> line.<\/p>

Set out the Tuna spread behind the boat with 4 to 8 lines rigged with various lures and baits. My favorites include Chatter Lures 19 and 36-inch squid spreader bars, cedar plugs, Ilander lures rigged with ballyhoo baits, and Sterling Tackle Daisy Chains. Top color combinations for spreader bars and daisy chains are usually rainbow, zucchini, cucumber, pink, black\/purple, or blue\/white. <\/p>

Jigging Tuna Fishing Rods, Reels & Lures <\/h2>

When Tuna are marking down below the water’s surface, it’s time to break out the jigging tackle. Jigging<\/a> with metal lures and soft rubber baits can be all-out mayhem if the fish are feeding down deep. Generally speaking, you can be jigging anywhere from 50 to 250 feet down. Like trolling, you’ll need strong gear – but it should be a bit lighter tackle to effectively work a jig or soft bait. <\/p>

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Photo courtesy of Nick Honachefsky<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

For jigging larger Bluefin Tuna<\/a> in the 100–250-pound bracket, rods such as a Race Point Monster Ledge 150 or 220ST, matched with 14000 Shimano Stella work for spin fishing gear<\/strong>. As for conventional gear,<\/strong> a Race Point and Monster Ledge Rod in 300 to 350 matched with a conventional Shimano Talica 12 is best. Spool up with 60–80-pound braided line and tie on a 10-foot section of 100-pound fluorocarbon leader via an FG and palomar knot, and a 200-pound TA clip to hook the jig onto.  <\/p>

Jigs can span the gamut of weights, shapes, sizes, and colors. In more shallow waters,<\/strong> metal jigs from 100–150 grams can get down deep and stay straight on the retrieve. Williamson Benthos, Shimano Butterfly, Stingo, Savage Gear Needle, and the old-school hammered diamond jig are all viable options. Blue\/silver, green\/silver, pink\/glo, and black\/purple are all proven to work. <\/p>

You can work jigs in a variety of methods:<\/p>