06-30-2001, 09:17 PM
No worries Pete.<br><br>Thought I recognised the name.. Also know a NZ Boat Capt. by the same name as well. Was not sure which one you were. <br><br>Glad to see you at the boards here. <br><br>I know the area you are in and have been to Thailand several times. Bird Island also has some great current lines running past it as well if I recall correctly and one of the reasons that Sails run past your door at certain time of the year... <br><br>Sounds to me like to you need a rod that will cover both vertical jiggiing and/or trolling given the location your in. <br><br>One of the best options, if you can get hold of one (or two) is the Shimano "Back Bone Series" and they come in several models for jigging and trolling. Light, well made, great (loomis) blank and relatively inexpensive for what you get. <br><br>6'6" is about the best all round rod length for jigging up their IMO. <br><br>For jigging (medium to deep depths) I like a rod with a medium taper and small roller tip on them otherwise (under stress) the braid will cut into your rod eyes in no time at all. <br><br>As the fella's have mentioned, 50-80 lb braid line, and just as important is the need for single hooks on your jigs. Did your Raiders have trebles on them? if so, then deep water species in your area e.g. GT's, Doggies, Coral Trout etc will straighten them out, or blow them off, in no time. <br><br>What weight were they? <br><br>Also watch out for the split rings as well and change those to a HD version or go to other jigs that are more solid in their overall construction .. Either way, use stainless singles or semi circle hooks like those I have mentioned down on the lures/baits board. <br><br>At 150 - 500 feet, jigs need to have glow heads and a trailing (flexing) 8/0 stinger hook in them on 450 lb - 49 strand - stainless wire (IMO) to reduce short takes. <br><br>Trolling for Wahoo and Tuna is a different story all together in terms of rods, reels and lures and sounds like you may already have that tackle sorted out...<br><br>If you want more information on the BackBone Rods then let me know. <br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B<br>Master Jig Builder<br>Moderator - Lures/Baits<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>