Fishing rods are used to catch fish. There several types of fishing rods that can be use depending in the kind of fish you want to catch, in this article our focus will be on how to choose a fishing rod for Yellowfin tuna.
Choose Right Fishing Rod For Yellowfin Tuna
Before going to the selection process here is an important information that you should know. The properties of the rod must meet certain requirements which are as follows:
- The size of your fish is determine by the length and strength of your fishing rod
- If you want to fish in deep water, select a longer rod because it has more power than the shorter ones
- That means rods for big fish should always be longer than smaller ones
- The bigger the fish, the more strength and length the rod must have to fight it, a good balance between strength and sensitivity
One of the most common mistakes made by fishermen is that they choose fishing rods with low action. This happens because many novice fisherman think that rods with low action are powerful enough. This is not the case. Rods with low action are very sensitive at the tip which makes them perfect for fish of medium size but for big fish you need rods that have more power and less sensitivity.
That being said let's get back to business, what are the things that should be taken in consideration when choosing a fishing rod for Yellowfin tuna?
The Construction of the Rod
There are three main types of rods which are as follows:
- Solid Fiberglass Poles
- Graphite Fiberglass Poles
- Bamboo or Split Bamboo Poles.
Solid fiberglass poles have been the most used in tournaments for a long time and they remain one of the best options for Yellowfin tuna. They are much more powerful than the graphite alternatives and as such they will give you a much better chance to fight off your fish successfully. The only main disadvantage of using solid fiberglass poles is that they break easily which can result in losing your fish, so it is very important that you be very careful when using them since they won't be able to stand hard hits. When using solid fiberglass poles, you should use a length that is not more than 6 feet and for Yellowfin tuna it is best to go with lighter models because you need sensitivity rather than power and the lighter the rod the better it will feel your hookups and strikes
Graphite fiberglass poles are way more expensive, but they are also much more powerful than the bamboo or solid fiberglass poles. As with solid fiberglass poles you should only use them when fishing for Yellowfin tuna in shallow waters because of their length and power.
Bamboo or split bamboo rods have recently become very popular again with both professional and novice fishermen due to their sensitivity and quality. They are much lighter than other types of rods so they will give you more sensitivity when fishing for Yellowfin tuna. As such, they allow you to feel the smallest taps that a fish makes which is essential in order to catch it successfully. When using bamboo or split bamboo rods for Yellowfin tuna, you should never use a length that is more than 6 feet.
The Power of the Rod
Yellowfin tuna are powerful fish that can sometimes put up a great fight, so there is no surprise that you should choose a rod with decent power but not too much because it will reduce your sensitivity which can result in losing your fish. It is best to go with mid-range power rods that will give you enough power and sensitivity.
The Terminology Used in Rods Specifications
You should be careful when reading the specifications of fishing rods because some manufacturers use their own terminology, for instance:
- Medium Heavy Rods = 2-6oz Reel Weight + 8-12lb Line Class
- Heavy Duty Rods = 3-10oz Reel Weight + 12-20lb Line Class
As you can see, both rod types are heavy but they will perform differently when fighting Yellowfin tuna. For instance, the rod with 2-6oz reel weight has more power than the other one while the other one is much more sensitive and better for fishing in deep-water.
Fishing Style
Different kinds of rods should be used for different kinds of fishing styles. For instance, you can't go for light spinning rods if you are trolling, so it should be the opposite as well. As such, if you enjoy jigging or live bait fishing then use rod with medium power and sensitivity but if you prefer trolling then use heavy rods with high sensitivity.
It is also important to know that in order to achieve best results, you need to feel your lures by feeling the rod which it is attached on. Sensitivity won't do if you can't feel your lure so always go for quality fishing rods that will allow you to detect even the tiniest strikes.
As you can see, choosing the right fishing rods for Yellowfin tuna isn't complicated at all as long as you follow the guidelines above and it is one of the most important factors that will determine your success on the water.
