West Coast Rail-Rod Techniques to Catch Huge Tuna

My first expertise with rail-rod fishing occurred removed from its origins. The method was born within the tropics of Mexico, the place West Coast long-range sport-fishing boats have used it for many years to beat massive, robust yellowfin tuna. 

But I used to be indoctrinated aboard my 21-foot center-console by Ben Secrest and Doug Nilson, each from Correct Fishing, simply 15 miles off Dana Level, California, in 2015.

On this midsummer day, we discovered faculty upon faculty of 100-pound-class bluefin tuna tearing up little baitfish, and it didn’t take lengthy for Nilson to hook one utilizing a small steel jig he forged into the center of a feeding frenzy. What occurred subsequent actually impressed upon me the exceptional effectiveness of rail-rod fishing.

Because the fish started its circling vertical battle, Nilson moved ahead on the upwind aspect of the boat, laid the rod foregrip on the bow rail and, whereas crouched on one knee, went to work.

In the meantime, I began to prep my GoPro and SLR digital camera to chronicle the battle, however earlier than I might get issues prepared, Nilson referred to as for the gaff—two gaffs, actually. The fish was practically boatside. He had beat the 100-pound bluefin in underneath 10 minutes. Secrest and I sunk the gaffs and hauled it aboard.

I’ve since used and seen rail-rod strategies utilized on even greater bluefins as much as 250 kilos—and the effectiveness at all times astounds me. 

Early Days

Rail-rod strategies have been cast within the warmth of battle aboard the vaunted long-range boats primarily based in San Diego—massive passenger sport-fishing vessels equivalent to Royal Polaris, Royal Star, Excel, American Angler and others throughout prolonged multiday journeys down the coast of Baja and past. 

Large yellowfin tuna characterize the first quarry on many journeys aboard these boats that possess comparatively excessive rails and no combating chairs. Lengthy-range boats usually fish on anchor for giant tuna, which may require that an angler shortly observe a fish across the boat and over or underneath the anchor line whereas dodging fellow anglers. That is tough whereas strapped right into a combating harness, however anglers nonetheless used harnesses with massive reels like 50-wides for a few years. 

Braid Revolution

Issues modified, nonetheless, with the arrival of braided line, which enabled larger line capacities and, in consequence, allowed using smaller reels on par with a Shimano Talica 25 two-speed and relatively lighter rods for giant tuna. Harnesses and even rod belts turned irrelevant as long-range anglers as an alternative switched to laying the rod on the rail to battle massive tuna. The lighter ­sort out and eschewing a harness additionally granted anglers higher agility when following a fish across the boat. 

In consequence, a long-range boat’s tall rail, slightly than being seen as an obstacle, has develop into a tuna angler’s finest pal. Crewmembers encourage their long-range fishermen to put the rod foregrip on the rail. This may go with out saying, however rail-rod strategies work solely with typical sort out wherein the guides and line run above the rod. Spinning gear just isn’t appropriate.

Gaining Leverage

The rail-rod method can differ barely relying on the dimensions of the fish, the facility of the rod, and the rail top and configuration. Correct’s Secrest developed his rail-rod strategies whereas fishing for cow (over 200-pound) yellowfin tuna on boats out of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and has discovered as a lot through the years from the fish he has landed, in addition to those who have been misplaced, he says. 

“The entire thought facilities round utilizing the rail as a fulcrum, which turns the rod into a robust lever,” Secrest explains. This additionally takes pressure off the angler’s arms and again whereas exerting most stress on fish. However combating a tuna on the rail nonetheless requires main power, in addition to the necessity to pay shut consideration to the fish’s habits, Secrest advises. 

“Each fish acts somewhat in another way, so you must be able to elevate the rod up and observe the fish or change your location,” he says. “For instance, if you’re combating the fish within the bow, you most likely will ultimately want to maneuver to the strict space when the fish is able to gaff.”

Arms, Palms and Butt

Because the foregrip is on the rail and underneath super stress, anglers typically can’t maintain on there. So, rod and grip positions differ from conventional big-game strategies. On a passenger boat, if you’re right-handed, place the rod butt underneath your left armpit. Put your left hand excessive of the reel (slightly than on the rod foregrip) and use your proper hand to carry and switch the reel deal with. For lefties, do the alternative. 

“I typically use my left hand to help and stabilize the reel,” says Capt. Brandon Nelson, who hosts constitution visitors aboard his Yellowfin 32, Fortunate B, in pursuit of bluefin tuna and different species off the coast of Southern California. “When combating a tuna on the rail, you wish to semi-crouch with the rod butt underneath your arm to elevate the rod, then get up and crank line,” Nelson says.

Secrest describes it a bit in another way. “Put weight in your ass to drag again on the road and put a bend within the rod,” he explains. “Then stand and wind line onto the reel and repeat. 

“You may achieve solely 2 or 3 inches of line at a time, however the level is to maintain the stress on the fish,” he provides. “You’ll be taught over time how a lot stress you’ll be able to apply because it circles to the surface and the way a lot line you’ll be able to achieve because it makes its inside flip.”  

Rod Principle

Each Nelson and Secrest agree that conserving a deep bend within the rod is essential to beating a giant tuna as shortly as potential on the rail. “Don’t level the rod on the fish,” Secrest advises. “Keep in mind that the rod catches the fish, the reel gathers line. So, you need a rod with some bend and must hold it bent to take care of stress.”

One among Secrest’s favourite rods for tuna is the 7-foot Correct Valiant BV-70XXXH mannequin. He matches this to an Correct ATD Platinum 30T, an open-top reel he masses with 100-pound-test braid for tuna. “Reels like this are simpler to deal with than massive 50s whereas combating a fish on the rail,” he factors out. “I’ve caught bluefin over 300 kilos with this gear.”

A Shimano professional staffer, Nelson likes to make use of a Shimano Talico 25 two-speed, and he removes the harness lugs atop the reel to facilitate the rail-rod method. Loaded with 100-pound-test braid, the open-top design of the reel additionally permits Nelson to use somewhat additional drag stress along with his hand on the spool when needed. He matches the reel with a G.Loomis 9080 Professional Offshore 7½-foot XXH rod, with which he has caught bluefin as much as 305 kilos. 

One other key characteristic of a rail rod is an extra-thick and lengthy neoprene foregrip to cushion the rod on the rail whereas battling a fish. The Shimano Terez 72XXH 7-foot-2-inch rail rod, for instance, contains a thick foregrip that extends ahead from the reel practically 20 inches. 

Learn Subsequent: Selecting a Gradual-Pitch Jigging Rod

Rail Peak

The peak of the boat rail represents a significant factor in rail-rod fishing. On West Coast passenger fishing boats, this dimension is pretty constant at about 40 inches excessive round amidships and the aft cockpit. In consequence, it’s the de facto customary top for many rail-rod fishing.

On non-public boats, nonetheless, rail heights differ significantly, not solely from bow to stern, but in addition from boat to boat. Within the opening state of affairs aboard my 21-foot boat, for instance, the bow rail was so low that Correct’s Nelson wanted to kneel down to make use of it as a fulcrum level, which isn’t very comfy. 

To assist elevate the fulcrum level, Nelson has used a trident within the rod holders of his Yellowfin 32, which has labored properly for his constitution visitors through the years. Nonetheless, a system used to lift the fulcrum level emerged a few years in the past. A brand new machine often known as the RAP—Rail Help Pipe—is gaining recognition amongst tuna anglers, in keeping with firm proprietor Joe Russo. It’s occurring on the West Coast, in addition to the East and Gulf coasts, he says.

“The RAP consists of a high-strength stainless-steel pipe with a gimbal base that drops right into a gunwale rod holder and locks into the cross pin on the backside,” Russo says. “On the prime of the pipe is a U-shaped cradle that holds the rod and swivels to assist ­observe a tuna because it circles beneath.”

The pipes can be found in fashions to suit 30-, 15- and zero-­diploma angled rod holders which can be 10 inches deep. Every is obtainable in three heights—the usual mannequin extends 15 to 16 inches above the gunwale, the Tall Boy provides 21 inches of top, and the brand new Stubby supplies 10 or 12 inches of elevation. The completely different heights accommodate completely different gunwale heights, in addition to the various statures of anglers.

“The RAP system can also be nice for boat homeowners who don’t wish to drag the rod throughout the rail cap and injury the end,” Russo has found. “There are also some anglers who use spinning gear with the RAP system as a result of it retains the road from getting pinched underneath the rod.”      

IGFA Controversy

Simply in case you’re considering of pursuing an IGFA report, understand that utilizing rail-rod strategies will disqualify a possible report underneath the group’s guidelines. Some big-game purists may elevate an eyebrow on the point out of rail-rod strategies. 

On the similar time, different anglers query the elitist standpoint, provided that using a combating chair with a deck hand pivoting the chair to observe a fish is allowed within the IGFA rule e-book. Maybe the group will take into account altering its guidelines with regard to rail-rod strategies in years to come back.

Within the meantime, rail-rod strategies are gaining acceptance amongst anglers from coast to coast to coast. And rightly so, as few fish-battling strategies have confirmed as efficient relating to beating massive tuna faster and with much less effort.