Best Fishing Rod For Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna are known for their endurance, speed and tenacity. They can be found around the world in temperate and tropical waters. Yellowfin tuna is typically classified as a fast swimming pelagic fish that can grow up to 10 feet long weighing up to 650 pounds. This article will discuss 5 of the best rods you can find on the market today to catch the elusive yellowfin tuna.
Tuna are muscular swimmers that live in all climates, waters and oceans throughout the world. They can be found in saltwater, fresh water and even in very deep water where no light exists. There are many different species of tuna but they all share several common traits which make them desirable for sport fishing. They are elite swimmers with aerodynamic bodies, large mouths and they have excellent eyesight.
Tuna is a prized game fish that makes for exciting fight for both the novice and experienced fisherman. The can be found alone or in schools, either way you need the right gear to bring them on board. There are several varieties of tuna such as the bigeye, yellowfin and albacore tuna. Yellowfin is one of the most popular types used for sport fishing because they are very strong swimmers that create an intense fight on the end of your line. Today we will be discussing our picks for best fishing rods to catch them with.
Rods
The rod you choose should be lightweight and about 7 feet in length. A longer rod will give you the advantage to set the hook deeper into their mouths when they take your bait. On shorter rods it is harder to keep control of the fish once it gets near the boat - especially if you are fishing alone. You need a strong, sensitive rod that has enough backbone to get that fish into the boat.
The length of line you use should be no longer than 200 yards because this is what works best with the rod and reel you choose for this task. If your line is too long it will get tangled around everything, snap off easily and give your tuna less time to fight. The right equipment and gear will give you the best chance to land your tuna and fight another day.
Our Picks for Best Rods
Here are our picks for some of the best rods out there on the market today that provide a good, all around performance at an affordable price. Remember that this is not a comprehensive list with every available rod but it will give you a good idea on what to look at and base your decisions from.
1. Penn Battle II Spinning Reel & Rod Combo - 7'2" Heavy Action: Best Option for the Money
This is actually my personal favorite rod/reel combo because I own it myself. This combo costs about $200 bucks but is worth every penny! Since the Penn Battle is made by Penn it has all of the features that they are known for. For example, this rod has a one piece molded graphite handle with stainless steel guides wrapped in high-density EVA foam giving you long lasting durability and protection from the elements. The line capacity rings on this reel are precise and can hold up to 380 yards of 20 lb test line. The gear ratio is 5.1:1 and the 9 + 1 stainless steel ball bearings makes for a smooth operation.
This rod/reel combo has a lot going for it but one of my favorite features is how lightweight it is. We have all had those days where we have carried around a bulky, heavy rod in our hands for hours because we didn't want to leave it on the boat - this is not one of those rods. This rod only weighs 8.5 oz so you can carry it in your hand, in a backpack or in your luggage without having to worry about overloading yourself with weight.
This is an extremely sensitive stick so even the slightest tug will send a vibration down the line and through the handle of your rod. The graphite is strong and sturdy so you can set it and forget it, this means that once your bait hits bottom you don't have to wrestle with your pole all day long to keep it in place. This is one of those rare combos which excels equally as well with a light rig as it does with a heavy one.
2. Pflueger President Spinning Reel & Rod Combo - 7' Light Action : Best Ultralight Option
This is another lightweight option that is simple and easy to use for those on a budget. For less than $100 bucks you can get a quality rod and reel combo that works great for catching tuna. This is made by Pflueger so you know it has the quality and durability to last many seasons on your boat or on your dock.
The sensitive graphite construction means that every little tug will be felt through the handle of this rod, although it may not seem like much the little things sometimes matter most. The line capacity rings are accurate to hold up to 220 yards of 20 lb test line.
I will point out that this is not the best rod/reel combo for trolling because it does not have a sufficient enough drag system. This would be an ok option if you are fishing off the beach for tuna but if you are out on the open water trolling for them it may not be your best bet. I would recommend looking at the Penn Battle II or even the Abu Garcia 6500 C3 if you need a better option for trolling with an ultralight setup. See more: https://fishinghacking.com/how-to-choose-fishing-rod-for-yellowfin-tuna/