SK
03-30-2009, 02:06 AM
I am setting up a new Sport-Fishing business in San Cristobal, Galapagos. Although I have been reading up a bit, I am basically a total neophyte. However, I will man my boat with one of the several excellent fishing captains here who know their business very well, and so my own ignorance in matters pescadorial need not be of concern to potential clients. God willing, I will be captaining the boat myself one day, but in the meantime I have much to learn.
While the primary fish-of-interest here is Striped Marlin, I expect to be going after other species, such as Wahoo and Tuna. My eldest son is mad about Fly-Fishing, so that has to be on the menu too. I recognize that the gear is going to set me back a bundle so I want to be sure I get the "right-stuff". I have been getting some much appreciated advice from one of the local captains here, but he is a very busy man and I do not wish to burden him too much, particularly in view of my somewhat limited command of Spanish.
Basic parameters (as I understand it):
2 x 80lb Rod/Reel combo's
2 x 50lb Rod/Reel combo's
1 Casting Rod/Reel combo (?lb)
Teasers
Lures
Fighting-Belt
Back-harness
80lb Mono
50lb Mono
300lb leader (500lb?)
Hooks
All the bits (swivels, snaps, etc.)
80lb Fishing Reels:
I gather that 2-speeds are pretty much de-rigeur these days. I'm thinking: Penn International 70SV or Shimano Tiagra TI50WLRSA. Seems to be a hot debate and I would welcome input on this choice. Perhaps neither of the above. I see that there are some exotic (and expensive) alternatives, such as Alutecnos and Duel, but bear in mind that reliability and ability to service are big factors when in the middle of nowhere. I am inclined to get one of each (the Penn and the Shimano) and see which works out better. Or is that a nutty idea?
50lb Fishing Reels:
Shimano TLD-50IILRSA looks promising and I have heard many favourable reports. Again, being averse to putting all eggs in 1 basket, and if it makes sense, I am inclined to try 2 types - Any comments/suggestions?
80lb Rods:
I am right confused on this one! All "Stand-up" rods seem to have a straight butt, while some "Trolling" rods have straight butts and others have curved butts. That being so: what is the essential difference between a "Trolling Rod" and a "Stand-up Rod"?
What is a "Wind-on Guide"?
What is a "Roller Stripper"?
What is a "Stripping Guide"?
You can imagine how useful it was Googling some of the above! The good captain figures roller-guides are nothing but trouble and suggests that I stick with rods that have simple ring-type guides. At the same time, I notice that almost all heavy-duty rods feature rollers of one type or another. The only ring-guide rod I have seen in the 80lb range is the Penn Mariner 660CHST, which at $85 or so seems to be a bit of a mis-match under a $700 reel. If an $85 rod is adequate, then why do people spend $400-$500 and up on a rod? Most manufacturers appear to claim good "knot clearance" on their rollers (which othersie I imagine could be a problem). I would welcome any insight to the benefit of using a pricier rod with roller guides.
50lb Rods:
If I get answers to the above, then this one should be easier. It may be that one model will go with the 50lb and 80lb reels.
Casting Rod & Reel:
I don't imagine casting is really feasible with the 80lb and 50lb combo's mentioned above. Vast array of options on this one, so I am hesitant to even ask, but still, I welcome input. Since we will be casting to biggish fish, I expect it should be capable of handling a reasonably heavy line. I'm sure you can catch a good size Marlin with a 20lb line, but I imagine he would have to be half dead from exhaustion by the time you drew him in and might just sink to the bottom when you release him. That would be a major downer.
Teasers:
Word here is that a spreader bar full of fake squid, or whatever, is more trouble than it's worth. Looking at the catalogues, it is hard to tell the difference between some Teasers and Lures. Could it be that the same lure without hooks makes an effective teaser (thinking squids here)? When talking Teasers, I seem to recall the captain pointing to the "Gunga Teaser". At $140 a pop, I don't think I am about to invite the fish to chew on that one, but if it makes a good Teaser, I would be prepared to invest in a couple.
Lures:
He was fairly specific on this one and I think I am going to go along with him as far as the Marlin are concerned.
Fighting Belt & Harness:
Apparently it's gotta have a gimbal (I can go with that). However, is there any particular benefit to getting the Belt and Harness from the same manufacturer (they seem to be interchangeable)? Do all harnesses accept drop-straps to hook onto the reel (I assume)?
80lb & 50lb line:
Again, a bewildering array of options and prices.
What make?
What quantity to buy in?
Leader:
Mono, Braid or Fluoro-Carbon?
Capacity?
What is a "Top-Shot"?
Loading & Stripping Line:
There seems to be a variety of gadgets that attach to a power-drill - Do any of them work? If so, which?
Hooks:
I have heard that Circle-Hooks are effective in live bait, but not in lures. Is that so?
My apologies for such a lengthy posting. I hope some of you have the patience to wade through it. I have many questions and so I thought I better put them all together. Internet service here is pathetic, so it simply isn't feasible for me to research these questions online. Even staying online long enough to post this message is a challenge! When the business is better established I may consider the $500 to $3,000 /mth it costs for reliable broadband.
Many thanks in advance.
SK
PS - For the benefit of those whose ears pricked up with the mention of fishing in such a closely regulated marine reserve, I should advise that we ARE properly licenced and will adhere strictly to catch-and-release procedures.
While the primary fish-of-interest here is Striped Marlin, I expect to be going after other species, such as Wahoo and Tuna. My eldest son is mad about Fly-Fishing, so that has to be on the menu too. I recognize that the gear is going to set me back a bundle so I want to be sure I get the "right-stuff". I have been getting some much appreciated advice from one of the local captains here, but he is a very busy man and I do not wish to burden him too much, particularly in view of my somewhat limited command of Spanish.
Basic parameters (as I understand it):
2 x 80lb Rod/Reel combo's
2 x 50lb Rod/Reel combo's
1 Casting Rod/Reel combo (?lb)
Teasers
Lures
Fighting-Belt
Back-harness
80lb Mono
50lb Mono
300lb leader (500lb?)
Hooks
All the bits (swivels, snaps, etc.)
80lb Fishing Reels:
I gather that 2-speeds are pretty much de-rigeur these days. I'm thinking: Penn International 70SV or Shimano Tiagra TI50WLRSA. Seems to be a hot debate and I would welcome input on this choice. Perhaps neither of the above. I see that there are some exotic (and expensive) alternatives, such as Alutecnos and Duel, but bear in mind that reliability and ability to service are big factors when in the middle of nowhere. I am inclined to get one of each (the Penn and the Shimano) and see which works out better. Or is that a nutty idea?
50lb Fishing Reels:
Shimano TLD-50IILRSA looks promising and I have heard many favourable reports. Again, being averse to putting all eggs in 1 basket, and if it makes sense, I am inclined to try 2 types - Any comments/suggestions?
80lb Rods:
I am right confused on this one! All "Stand-up" rods seem to have a straight butt, while some "Trolling" rods have straight butts and others have curved butts. That being so: what is the essential difference between a "Trolling Rod" and a "Stand-up Rod"?
What is a "Wind-on Guide"?
What is a "Roller Stripper"?
What is a "Stripping Guide"?
You can imagine how useful it was Googling some of the above! The good captain figures roller-guides are nothing but trouble and suggests that I stick with rods that have simple ring-type guides. At the same time, I notice that almost all heavy-duty rods feature rollers of one type or another. The only ring-guide rod I have seen in the 80lb range is the Penn Mariner 660CHST, which at $85 or so seems to be a bit of a mis-match under a $700 reel. If an $85 rod is adequate, then why do people spend $400-$500 and up on a rod? Most manufacturers appear to claim good "knot clearance" on their rollers (which othersie I imagine could be a problem). I would welcome any insight to the benefit of using a pricier rod with roller guides.
50lb Rods:
If I get answers to the above, then this one should be easier. It may be that one model will go with the 50lb and 80lb reels.
Casting Rod & Reel:
I don't imagine casting is really feasible with the 80lb and 50lb combo's mentioned above. Vast array of options on this one, so I am hesitant to even ask, but still, I welcome input. Since we will be casting to biggish fish, I expect it should be capable of handling a reasonably heavy line. I'm sure you can catch a good size Marlin with a 20lb line, but I imagine he would have to be half dead from exhaustion by the time you drew him in and might just sink to the bottom when you release him. That would be a major downer.
Teasers:
Word here is that a spreader bar full of fake squid, or whatever, is more trouble than it's worth. Looking at the catalogues, it is hard to tell the difference between some Teasers and Lures. Could it be that the same lure without hooks makes an effective teaser (thinking squids here)? When talking Teasers, I seem to recall the captain pointing to the "Gunga Teaser". At $140 a pop, I don't think I am about to invite the fish to chew on that one, but if it makes a good Teaser, I would be prepared to invest in a couple.
Lures:
He was fairly specific on this one and I think I am going to go along with him as far as the Marlin are concerned.
Fighting Belt & Harness:
Apparently it's gotta have a gimbal (I can go with that). However, is there any particular benefit to getting the Belt and Harness from the same manufacturer (they seem to be interchangeable)? Do all harnesses accept drop-straps to hook onto the reel (I assume)?
80lb & 50lb line:
Again, a bewildering array of options and prices.
What make?
What quantity to buy in?
Leader:
Mono, Braid or Fluoro-Carbon?
Capacity?
What is a "Top-Shot"?
Loading & Stripping Line:
There seems to be a variety of gadgets that attach to a power-drill - Do any of them work? If so, which?
Hooks:
I have heard that Circle-Hooks are effective in live bait, but not in lures. Is that so?
My apologies for such a lengthy posting. I hope some of you have the patience to wade through it. I have many questions and so I thought I better put them all together. Internet service here is pathetic, so it simply isn't feasible for me to research these questions online. Even staying online long enough to post this message is a challenge! When the business is better established I may consider the $500 to $3,000 /mth it costs for reliable broadband.
Many thanks in advance.
SK
PS - For the benefit of those whose ears pricked up with the mention of fishing in such a closely regulated marine reserve, I should advise that we ARE properly licenced and will adhere strictly to catch-and-release procedures.