In at the Deep End

[SK]

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.

[WAHOONBOX]

THIS THREAD IS AMAZING....I REALIZE THAT YOU POSTED UP THIS TACKLE QUESTIONAIRE TWO YEARS AGO....AND NOT ONE READER DARED TO ANSWER YOU BACK....THAT IS THE AMAZING PART.

SEEMS YOU WERE IN THE MARKET FOR A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF GEAR AND NOT ONE OF THE 3,098 VIEWS PUBLICLY RESPONDED....I'M SURE YOU HAVE PURCHASED THIS GEAR BY NOW AND I HOPE YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL ON WITH YOUR NEW ADVENTURE....I MEAN YOUR NOW TWO YR OLD ADVENTURE.

IT WOULD REALLY BE COOL IF YOU WERE TO READ THIS AND BRING US AN UPDATE WITH SOME PICS...

I'M PROBABLY JUST TYPING AWAY IN DA BREEZE HERE BUT I'LL TRY FR A COMEBACK ANYWAY


ROCK ON

BOX

[SK]

Hola Box!

Very kind of you to enquire and I'm sorry to be so slow responding. Yes, I did get a whole bunch of stuff and getting it imported to the Galapagos was a nightmare (3 months in customs!). I did get input from my fishing colleagues here but it's always better to get a fresh perspective if you can. Maybe there were just too many questions, 'cos it was the same story on just about every forum I visited!

I ended up getting 8 matchinig Shimano reels and rods (Tiagra, TLD, Tyrnos & Baitrunners) and a rather large assortment of other accessories and lures (as you can imagine).

Since then, I have also invested in a couple of fly-rods & reels. I got some very helpful input, mostly from clients, but particularly from Cam Sigler who was very generous with his time and his pricing (evidently not in it for the money). Of course, practically all our fly-fishing customers bring their own gear and I know there's this great mystique about it but it's such a gas when everyone works together to bring that fish in to the fly that I figured I would offer it to guests who have never tried it. We've had a lot of fun with it and, after all, if it isn't fun why are we doing it? My eldest boy is mad-keen on fly-fishing and makes his own flies, so I guess it's for him as much as anything.

Although we have been up and running for a while now I haven't been too active in the forums (as you can probably tell!). While I have posted a bunch of photos I have neglected this forum and will set that straight shortly. We have a local captain (no-one knows these waters better) and I go on practically every trip - I have to admit I get a bigger kick (or at least challenge) from photographing the fish than landing them. Please feel free to checkout our website at www.Galeodan.com - I think you'll find some cool photos there and I'll make a point of uploading some to this forum.

Again - nice to get a response - after 2 years indeed! Good to see someone's paying attention.

All the best,
SEAN

[netman9]

You two guys are above all others on this 1st day of August, 2011. Great for you SEAN, to share your idea's and following up two years later after BOX pops in on your unanswered thread. Wishing you both continued success! Netman

[SK]

Guys - Although I said I hadn't I just realized I have already posted quite a few photos to this site - Seems I don't know which site I'm on sometimes

Still, it looks like I didn't put up any from last year's fishing so I'll have to fix that - keep an eye open for them.

All the best

[WAHOONBOX]

STANDING BY SEAN FOR SOME PICS......

MAYBE THERE IS HOPE FOR THIS SITE AFTER ALL....


ROCK ON

BOX

[SK]

Hola Box; I just uploaded a bunch of Marlin pictures to the Billfish Gallery - from 2010 can you believe! I will be following up with photos from 2011 and I have some nice little videos. Here in San Cristobal the Internet crawls when it's moving at all so it takes 5 minutes for each photo. Can't wait to start uploading videos - maybe one per week!
SK

[Seth]

Great work deep dropping for threads BOX. This is a jewel. Sean, your site is concise and informative. Nice work. This pictures you have there are amazing. Some of the marlin shots are just fantastic. I love the Vivencial fishing section. Keep the info flowing. Thanks!

[Vince Weirick]

Sean,

If you are still interested in gear, I might be able to help. Email me at vweirick@kconline.com and I will see what I can do with the fishing rods.

Thanks,

Vince

[SK]

Vince;
Thanks for offering. You must have missed my July 31 message in which I reported that we bought 8 matching Shimano rods & reels, lures, teasers, accessories (the whole 9 yds) plus a couple of fly-rods. That was in May '09 so we've replenished lures & accessories a few times since then. Still, I'll check out the link you provided.
Sean