I have never fished for albacore before. I am considering going on the 1 1/2 day this Friday. If not Friday, I will go very soon. I was wondering if there was anyone else going on this trip. Also, since this will be my first albacore trip I was wondering if anyone can tell me the pole/tackle requirements. My Seeker rod and Squidder reel can handle about 25-30lb test. Help is appreciated.

Tree,
Me and Pete were about to go on that boat, but we're going to charge the Harbor Tackle charter out of Morro Bay next month instead. You probably won't get into the fish like Merit did yesterday, but you'll still find em. I'd suggest a 30 lb. setup and a 40 lb. setup. The squidder will be fine for 30 lb. and it'll probably be all you need unless you get into the bigger units, where you'll need a bigger setup and heavier line.
-Brian

Brian
I am going to have to disagree here with ya bud. I went albie fishing twice on the seahawk and although both trips were very tough, the thing that became evident was that you needed 2 setups a 20lb rod and a 30lb rod. More fish were caught on 20lb than any other setup on both trips I was on. This is the one time I would forgo my triple fish line and use some izor or big game. The water will be a blue/purple out there and the triple fish just shows up too much. Best of luck out there dude, let us know how it goes.
-Rob

LAST EDITED ON Sep-21-00 AT 06:40 PM (PST)

Rob,
A couple days ago Merit got into some good fish. He ran way up almost to Morro and I believe got into some 50 lb. fish. Yesterday they sleighed the albies in the 30-40 lb. range; according to biteson. It's kinda sketchy on whether or not Merit would make the run for the good fish again, but if he does, I sure wouldn't want to fish for 50 lb. fish with 20 lb., but if Merit stays local, 20 would probably be fine.
-Brian

Alright guys, here's my $.02. If you can Tree, bring 15, 20, 30, and 40lb. You never know what you'll get into out there. Chances are you'll only need one or two of those setups. But, you always end up needing what you don't have. Two years ago I lost a 30-35lb Albie at the gaff on 15lb Ande on a 7' Quantum rod. That day I started with 25lb on a TLD 20/40. It was WFO on even 30 and 40lb. I caught 4 avr sized ones this way. Everyone was doing the same. Then I got bored so I switched to the light stuff, Got 2 more in the boat that would have easily taken JP if I was allowed to get in, then lost the biggie. Sure I lost more than the others, but also got bit more as the bite slowed and got bigger fish.

I see this all the time, fishing all kinds of different species. The customers with the light stuff just plain get bit more. I've hit the point where I fish as light as I can most of the time. Worst case you lose a few, or get your butt whooped and dragged around the boat. Both can be fun. So, if need be, put 20lb on the Squidder, and put a spool of 15 and 20lb in your box (with one of those Berkely line strippers which are really big time savers). Then rent or borrow something in the 30 and/or 40lb range. If it's a tough bite change out to 15lb. If they go wide or are the bigger models fish the heavy. Whatever you do, good luck, and no matter what have fun. It's only fishing.

Amish Ed

I think 20lb and 25lb is the most consistent albie getter. You will get more bites and you can still pull pretty darn hard on that string. I dont think people realize how much that line will take. Make sure you buy good quality line. I also never go without a 60lb rig ready. Seems like every trip you will get one stop where they go off. Everyone is fishing light and they will eat heavy. This is when you can throw 4 or 5 quick ones on. Be ready with the heavy gear. If you see everyone getting bit, and the fish rolling on the chum, dump in the 60lb and kick there butt.

I am going saturday morning on a private boat out of Avila. I am hoping to get a few.

Howard,
You oughtta slay on saturday. Weather forecast is lookin awesome. I don't know about the weekend, but on Monday it's supposed to be 1 ft. swells up there. Good luck.
-Brian

Got a nice 45 pounder on the 20 lb test. I am not kidding when I say you can still pull pretty hard on 20 lb test. Did not get into a ripper this time out, had to leave the 60 lb in the rack.