GBGW tackle report

[reallybigtoad]

I thought it might be helpful for those of us that went to La Paz to post some tackle recommendations based our successes and observations while the trip is still fresh in our minds.

For Example:
What sizes and colors or trolling lures produced fish? What didn't?

What did you bring this year that you won't bother with for your next trip?

What gear did you wish you had with you?

Rods / Reels:
This year I brought a 15, 25, 30, 40 and 60 pound rigs.

Lures:
Rapala Purple/Black and Blue Mack in CD18 size
6" purple/black, zuchini or mexican flag jet heads trolling jigs worked well in that order.
10" 7 strand in purple/black was our captain's go to jig.
Tady 4/0 in Blue and Chrome for yo-yo tuna

Terminal:
1/2 oz. to 2 oz. egg sinkers

Observations:
Columbia l/s fishing shirts are a MUST HAVE to keep cool and avoid the sun.
Need a bigger margarita glass for next year!

-todd

[sourcreamnjive]

I brought a bunch of tackle only because I leave most of it behind to the Pangeros as as tips. Most hits were on a Mexican Flag feathers with pink plastic skirt Zukers sizes 6", 8", 12". I didn't troll any of my Rapalas this trip though I had 1 of each Blue Mackeral, Green Mackeral, Cedar plug color, Silver Black, Purple Black, Dorado, Bonita. I brought assorted toys for trolling which caught fishes but the Zukers worked best this trip. Needlenose pliers and boga grips are a must to bring. I used OWNER ringed flyliners 2/0 to 4/0. Rods used were 20# Stradic Spin Custom Seeker Combo, #20 Tor14 7' Calstar GF700XL combo, #25 Tor14 7' GF700M combo, #30 Tor16 3' Whopper Stopper combo, #30 Tor30 7' Fenwick 20-40# combo, 4/0 Penn #50 Calstar 40-100# trolling outfit & 6/0 Penn #50 Calstar 6455XXH trolling outfit which I sold to Jonathan before I left. I wish I had brought an extra cooler! Clothes I used Columbia vented back short and long sleeves. Shoes I used my Crocs, they also keep you afloat in the water. Regular swim trunks, and a wind breaker just in case.

[reallybigtoad]

good point on the extra cooler! Leave one in your room for frosty cool beverages when you get back to the room. Then it gets filled with fillets for the trip home to avoid 1 single 100# monster cooler with hefty charges.

-todd

[rmedina0811]

what were your light setups (15-20lbs)? Rods, reels, etc.

[wodar1]

I brought 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 # rigs. I used my 50# to troll live bait with most of the time. I didn't use my 60# rig only because Pelon had three pretty good trolling rigs on his panga. I caught fish on all my set ups. 30 and 40 were the go to rigs most of the time.

Those big bonita (or YFT for that matter) on 20 lb is the most fun you are gonna have with your clothes on!!! Like Todd said, I would bring more trolling feathers next year. I caught my first Dorado on a trolled purple and silver wahoo bomb!! Everything else was caught on live bait, #1, #2 hooks, #2/0 and #3/0 ringed flyliners was all I used. I brought hooks from #4 to 6/0!!! I caught my sailfish on a live sardine on a #1 Owner flyliner hook. Definitely bring plenty of flouro leader. I only used weight a couple of times ( 3/4 oz. egg sinker). Sometimes in the afternoon the tuna will go deeper.

I will definitely bring a large margarita glass next year (although I improvised pretty well). BTW Todd, next year I will supply all of the tequila!!! I put all my terminal tackle in a large Plano box (12 x 24 x 3). Next year I will bring a small tackle bag, like the small Shimano or WFO bags and a couple of smaller boxes. Having one large box with all my stuff in it on the panga was kind of a pain in the butt.

Absolute neccessities include a good hat, lots of sunscreen and drink lots of water. I wore shoes about half the time on the panga. Barefoot was okay until you got a little fish slime on the deck and then it was flat dangerous. I wore Sperry Hydrofoils and they were the absolute bomb, comfortable, cool and lots of grip...

[PilotLight]

For me, I brought 4 sticks, my ARC GF600XL Deckie Style, An ARC SSCJBF65H, a Seeker A660H-6C, and a G660H-6C. For reels a Trini-14 W/ 20 lb. Big Game, A Tor 16, Tor 30, Saltist 50 ST, Saltist 50 HS, and a Formula 20kg 2 speed. Caught most of my fish on the deckie rod with the Trini. What a blast on 20 lb. with that little beauty Flipper made me. Trolled fish were on the ARC Super Seeker with either of the Saltists, both spooled with 40 lb Big Game. All of my reels are straight mono, as I have found over time, very few fish ever make it to the Braid. I just can't see the added expense, or the added stress on the spool from the Braided lines. They have there place, but for me its only bounce ballin for Flatties where I need the extra sensitivity, these fish here are suicidal!!!! As far as feathers, Mexican Flag 6" Zukers was the bomb for me. Lotsa Dodo's on that one, and Purple and black 6" jethead. Hooks used were #1- 2/0 in Gorilla style, this is what the Pangeros like as they tie a generous loop knot which allows the bait some freedom of movement. Egg sinkers, and rubbercore rounded out the arsenal. Oh and a couple of 8/0 or 9/0 for trolling the small Bonies for Billfish. As far as clothing, I brought the Columbia PFG shirts and the Aftco Extreme. Have to say the Aftco being 100% cotton performed better for me and only short sleeve, the button up long sleeves are always falling down and kind of a pain. Natural or white was the ticket as far as color. Aftco shorts were good and Sperry Topsider Sandals (tevo like) were the only shoes I wore for 7 days.
Hey remember boyz when we go in April overnight lows are in the 50's so bring a sweatshirt for the boat ride out for the Jurel (YT) and also lots of Floro and high quality swivels and your set!

Thanks again for a wonderful time Guys
Kel

[moogie]

I took the GB veterans advise on terminal tackle. They all said the same thing. Bring lots of hooks and sinkers and flourocarbon leader.
I went down as low as a #6 wire type freshwater hook. Little skinny things. It makes life easier when you're trying to set a hook with #6 line.
We fished a lot of #6 and #10. We didn't troll a lot. We were pitching soft plastics and sardinas at rooster chicks and jacks inshore for a couple of days.
Banjo Minnows and Bass Assasins worked well.
I brought a 6 pound and 10 pound test spinning reel with extra spool for each. I brought 2 rods for each reel. One of them was an 11 foot noodle rod. My Pangero raised an eyebrow when I rigged it up with 6 pound test.
I tried to explain to him that it was like fly fishing without all the work. He got the hint when I hooked up on a yellowfin.
I brought a #20 rig and a #30 rig, all castable.
I used #12, 20, 30, and 50 flouro leaders.
Bring Flipper.
He saved me. The airlines broke one of my rod tips and then I broke another. Flipper to the rescue. He was a walking rod tip factory.
I brought small rubber core sinkers 1/4 to 1/2 oz and egg sinkers up to 4 oz.
You need some weight to get your bait underneath the needlefish.
We used Spro jigs in 2, 3, and 4 oz. We bottom fished too. It was great.
Lee brought a Yozuri surface lure that was red hot. He had yellowfin crashing it on the surface.
The bonito would hit it while it was just floating in the water. I witnessed this. Phestauris knows the name of the lure.
A Boga grip was valuable to us. We released most of our fish.
If anyone is a light tackle nut, La Paz/Las Arenas is still a mecca.
Good fishing, good food, good company.
Moogie

[moogie]

Originally Posted by PilotLight

For me, I brought 4 sticks, my ARC GF600XL Deckie Style, An ARC SSCJBF65H, a Seeker A660H-6C, and a G660H-6C. For reels a Trini-14 W/ 20 lb. Big Game, A Tor 16, Tor 30, Saltist 50 ST, Saltist 50 HS, and a Formula 20kg 2 speed. Caught most of my fish on the deckie rod with the Trini. What a blast on 20 lb. with that little beauty Flipper made me. Trolled fish were on the ARC Super Seeker with either of the Saltists, both spooled with 40 lb Big Game. All of my reels are straight mono, as I have found over time, very few fish ever make it to the Braid. I just can't see the added expense, or the added stress on the spool from the Braided lines. They have there place, but for me its only bounce ballin for Flatties where I need the extra sensitivity, these fish here are suicidal!!!! As far as feathers, Mexican Flag 6" Zukers was the bomb for me. Lotsa Dodo's on that one, and Purple and black 6" jethead. Hooks used were #1- 2/0 in Gorilla style, this is what the Pangeros like as they tie a generous loop knot which allows the bait some freedom of movement. Egg sinkers, and rubbercore rounded out the arsenal. Oh and a couple of 8/0 or 9/0 for trolling the small Bonies for Billfish. As far as clothing, I brought the Columbia PFG shirts and the Aftco Extreme. Have to say the Aftco being 100% cotton performed better for me and only short sleeve, the button up long sleeves are always falling down and kind of a pain. Natural or white was the ticket as far as color. Aftco shorts were good and Sperry Topsider Sandals (tevo like) were the only shoes I wore for 7 days.
Hey remember boyz when we go in April overnight lows are in the 50's so bring a sweatshirt for the boat ride out for the Jurel (YT) and also lots of Floro and high quality swivels and your set!

Thanks again for a wonderful time Guys
Kel

Bring a fly swatter.
Moog

[PilotLight]

Originally Posted by moogie

Bring a fly swatter.
Moog

Only if you eat at Rancho Vieja!!!

Michael are you gonna downsize to 2 or 4 lb.!! You animal
Kel

[sourcreamnjive]

Flipper is talking about going on a 8 day trip with Ironman instead of coming with us , so I'll bring the extra box of tips!