Left OI about 430 with the fleet- ran south east to the point- caught two YF tuna there- bite died oof and all the boats pulled lines and headed north- put two more in the box- 4 for teh day. The bite was down deep - we only had one planner on the boat. We had three fish caught on pink and white and one blue and white. Nice day on the water.

Nice job!! Thanks for the report.

--Don

I heard that the planer was key this past weekend. Ill have to remember that. I usually keep a few on my boat.

Did you guys try trolling weights too?

Eric

Eric,
We use trolling weights on occasion. They get the bait down only a few feet(depending on speed)...more subsurface than what a big planner or downrigger would get you.

we did use weights- we had one fish on a 22 oz inline with about 15 feet of leader behind. The boats that did the best were using down riggers or planners.

I apologize for the novice question but I am brand new to the offshore game. I have downriggers on the boat I tend to take off the boat if I don't know for sure that I am going to use them. I don't have any planers. What sizes would you all suggest as a starting point for year round use?

Thanks!
Jon

You have to match the planer to the lure and rod,the largest planers(#8) give a 50 wides drag a hard time.I like to put the large planer on my 80w 2 speed that way I can crank that sucker up with no problems.Use a 40 0r 50 foot leader for the Bluefin I also have a 48 oz Drail (Inline) weight that works pretty well.Make sure your rod holders are up to par also you wouldnt want to loose the whole set up over a cheep rod holder.Most planers have a number like 1 to 8 ,8 being the largest for fast trolling large spoons.You need a heavy outfit for 6,7 and size 8.For 6, and 7 you could use 50 lb class rods.3,4 & 5 you could get away with a TLD 20 2 speed and so on.

Thanks for the guidance. I don't have any reels larger that 40/50 and rods top out in the 50-80# class. I will avoid the 8's and make suer the rod holders are locked in. Do most folks prefer planers to downriggers?

Thanks again,
Jon