Recommended Tackle
Tackle Recommendations
Below are our recommended tackle setups organized by trip length. The Shogun does carry tackle for rent and purchase, but serious anglers will want to bring their own gear.
Terminal Tackle
- Hooks: 3/0–5/0 J-hooks or 5/0–6/0 circle hooks (15-20 total)
- Sinkers: Four 12oz torpedo sinkers and five 16oz torpedo sinkers
- Lures: 2-3 each scrambled egg Salas 6X Jr or 6X for yellowtail, 3-4" Gulp baits
Rods & Reels
| Setup | Line | Rod | Reel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rig #1 | 65-80# Spectra | 6-7' yoyo stick (765XL or 765L) | Trinidad 40 |
| Rig #2 | 50# Mono | 6-7' yoyo stick (765XL or 765L) | Trinidad 40 |
| Rig #3 | 40-60# Mono (Yellowtail) | 700 Rod | Trinidad 20 |
1.5 Day Trips — Additional Setups
| Setup | Line | Rod | Reel |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 (25#) | 25# Mono | Seeker Black Steel G870 or G970 | Daiwa SL20 or Newell 229 |
| #2 (40#) | 40# Mono | Seeker Black Steel G6470 or G665H | Penn 555GS / Newell 533 / Shimano 20/40 |
| #3 (Bluefin) | 60# Mono | Seeker Black Steel G6465H or Super Seeker SS 6470H | Shimano TLD30II or Penn 30T (2-speed) |
Hooks for 1.5 Day: Mustad 94151 sizes 2, 2/0, 4/0 (20 each); Owner circle hooks 3/0, 4/0 (20 each) for bluefin
Terminal Tackle
- Hooks: Mustad 94150 (Bronze) — sizes 1/0, 2/0, 4/0, 6/0, 9/0 (24 each)
- Owner Gorilla: 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 (12 each) — for larger bluefin/yellowtail
- Circle hooks: Super Mutu or Trokar 619 — 4/0, 5/0 (15 each)
- Mackerel rigs: 4x Owner Octopus 4-hook sets (Model #5525-075)
- Line: 1# spool each of 30#, 40#, 50#, 60# blue mono (Izorline preferred)
- Sinkers: Sliding 2oz, 4oz (6 each); Torpedo 4oz, 6oz, 8oz, 12oz (6 each)
Rods & Reels
| Setup | Line | Rod | Reel | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-30# | 25-30# Mono | 7-8' conventional, 15-40# rated | Penn Torque TRQ15LD2 / Fathom FTH15LD2 | Albacore, dorado, wahoo, school tuna |
| 40# | 40# Mono | 7-8' conventional, 20-50# rated | Penn Torque TRQ25NLD2 / Fathom FTH25NLD2 | General live bait under 100 lbs |
| 50# Jig | 50# Spectra | 7-8' conventional, 30-60# rated | Penn Senator 113N / Torque TRQ40NLD2 | Yo-yo jigging, wahoo bombs |
| 50-60# | 50-60# Mono | 6.5-8', 30-80# rated | Penn Torque TRQ40NLD2 / International 12VISX | Large tuna under 150 lbs, dropper-looping |
| 80-100# | 80-100# Mono | 6.5-7.5', 50-130# rated | Penn International 16VISX or 20VISX | Large tuna, chunks, heavy dropper-looping |
Preferred brands: Calstar Grafighter, Seeker Black Steel Graphite, Seeker Classic E Glass. Reels with light aluminum spools.
Lures
- Casting: SALAS 6X, SALAS 6X Jr (2 each, various colors, single hooks preferred for tuna)
- Trolling: Catchy Tackle Little Jett, Zuker/Sevenstrand clones, Mexican Flag, Zucchini
- Bass: Scampies, leadheads, mojos, scroungers
Rods & Reels
| Rig | Line | Rod | Reel |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 (Heaviest) | 200# Spectra (800yd) + 25ft 100# Mono | Super Seeker SS 6463XXXHAR | Accurate 50W / Penn 50SW / Shimano 50W |
| #2 | 135# Spectra (700yd) + 25ft 80# Mono | Super Seeker SS 6455XXHAR | Accurate 50 / Penn 50 International |
| #3 | 80# Spectra (700yd) + 25ft 60# Mono | Super Seeker SS 6465H or SS 6470H | Accurate 20 / Shimano TLD30 / Penn 30T (2-speed) |
| #4 | 50# Mono | Super Seeker SS 6470 or SS 6465H | Accurate 665H / Penn 4/0 / Newell 540 |
| #5 | 40# Mono | Black Steel G6470 or G665H | Accurate 665 / Penn 555GS / Newell 533 |
| #6 (Lightest) | 30# Mono | Black Steel G670 or G970 | Accurate 865 / Penn 500 / Newell 338 |
Terminal Tackle
- Hooks: Mustad 94150 — 1/0 (24), 2/0 (24), 4/0 (48), 6/0 (48), 9/0 (24)
- Big Game: Mustad 7691 — 7/0 (10), 9/0 (10)
- Circle: Mustad 39965D 16/0 (8); Super Mutu or Trokar 619 — 5/0 (15), 7/0 (15)
- Wire: 27# (1 spool), 40# (2), 90# (2), 275# Seven Strand (2); crimping pliers
- Leader: 1 wheel (30ft) of 150# Izorline or Maxima
- Swivels: 4/0 McMahon black (2 dozen); welded wire rings sizes 5 & 7
Lures
- Casting: Catchy Bombs, 6X Jr Heavy Chrome, Blue/White, Scrambled Egg (single hooks for tuna/wahoo)
- Trolling: Catchy Tackle Large Jett, Zuker/Sevenstrand clones, Zucchini, Marauder/Flash Dancer
Personal Gear Essentials
- Change of pants for each day
- Multiple shirts per day
- Socks for each day plus extras
- Heavy jacket
- Two pairs of sneakers
- Wide brim hats, baseball caps, knit hats
- Polarized sunglasses with security straps
- Light rain gear
- Rubber boots
- Valid passport required
- Bath towels, toiletries
- Pliers and hook sharpener
- Rod belt
- Seasickness medication (Transderm patches recommended)
Preferred line brand: Izorline (blue only). Spectra: Line One or Blackwater. Fluorocarbon: Blackwater.