It really depends on how big of fish you want to catch. Obviously you can't pick how big.....

A TLD 30 or 50 2 spd (even better, the Tyrnos 50LRS) can do the job and match to a decent 15-24kg trolling rod can do the job. At the moment, yes it is best to go to 24kg, as the fish have been on the bigger side of 100kg. As well as, just in case you really need to put the hurt on the fish after 2hrs!!!

A teaser is great for smaller boats who can't run 5 rods at once. You can run 2 or 3 rods and drag a teaser among them to create more activity to entice them. A good gimbal and harness is very important as well, if you want to keep your back going longer.

Penn Inters or Shimano Tiagras with matching rods are nice but not a necessacity. What's more important is the lures, line, boat and time.

Decent 24kg marlin standup outfit can be had from as little as $500-$600.

I totally agree with Honsu, don't go lighter that 50's, you will catch the smaller fish and give yourself a fighting chance with the big ones, spool it with good quality line and try to get rods that, if not fully rollered, at least a roller tip. Thats where all the wear and tear takes place on your line. Whatever reels you buy make sure they have lugs for attaching harness clips and you cant do better than a black magic harness setup, you will really apprreciate if you get into a two or three hour battle with a big blue. At least one teaser and look for water temperature of at least 24 degrees, the warmer the better. Probably one of the best lures is the mouldcraft wide range, there wouldnt be a game boat in Oz that doesnt have a couple on board but Richter are making top quality at reasonable price, bout a third of the Black Bart and the like. I've got a penn international 50 I no longer use and three standup game rods, Pakulas, that are now gathering dust as we only fish chair tackle now. PM me if you are interested. Reel $200 same for rods.

Caught heaps of 50-80kg fish on tld20's that were meant for dollies, good boat work and 24kg gets you in the ball game.  All it takes is one good fish to turn that up side down though, as we learnt when a good 120 fish melted everything inside a tld25 I was using (very early days) and spooled me - lesson is, don't go in under prepared because that big fish will teach you the hard way and its pretty demoralising knowing you've lost a beauty.

You read Adams article on solo billfishing from fishwrecked reeltime.  http://www.fishwrecked-reeltime.com/Issue4/issue4test.swf Page 8 onwards.

Another for no lighter than 24 in theory, but in practice I like being sporting so I always troll 2 24, 2 15 and a 10 as shotgun. Learn't some very hard lessons early about trying to troll with jig rods and big stella's - not fun at all as you cannot pick which lures will get hit and inevitably the small one gets eaten by the biggest fish.

Off Perth I would not run under 24 purely because there is so much effort required that you would be devastated if after trolling all day a big blue hit your 10kg outfit and destroyed you in seconds. from what I hear 37kg is probably a safer bet but that is too specialty for me and too heavy for standup.

I landed a black in exxy last year that would have given 100kg a nudge and that took 45min on 10kg on  a tiagra 16, great fun but I will be leaving it in the boat this year as I will put that one down to luck and good boat driving when it dove and ran it near emptied the spool and we had a hell of a time planing it back up.

Yep, Simon C your are dead right! We had a 500 pounder on 37 a few years back in Exmouth and took over three hours in a chair. 37 is the safest bet but way too heavy for standup unless you're Arny!

Im heading up to Exxy in April.

The biggest reel in my arsenal is a Tyrnos 20 2 speed spooled with 50lb mono (around 300m fits on there I think) running a 300lb wind on.

I've never got a marlin before. Is the consensus then that this reel is not enough artillery unless I get lucky?

If that's the case I might look at something a bit bigger, but dont want to buy a new reel just for marlin if I dont have to.

Dan

Any fish is possible on lighter gear given it is good quality, good team work and good driving skills by the skipper. Gamefishing - particularly marlin - is a team sport. Yes the fella on the end of the rod is gonna hurt - and take the credit - but without a good skipper and deckie there is little chance of landing a fish. Small trailable boats in my opinion are the ultimate battlewagon. We've landed fish up to 150 kg on 24kg out of 5 and 6m trailerboats. It is THE best fun you can have with your pants on. We use a range of gear depending on who's on board. The biggest fish was caught on a Shimano Beastmaster 50 2sp ( thanks Mako) on an 8ft custom LBGF rod - and WITHOUT a harness or gimbal belt ( it wasnt my fault I forgot it honest). It was blowing 15-20knots off Tantabiddi last year in a Trailblazer 640. Not ideal conditions, given it was only my brother and myself, or ideal gear but we landed that fish. Moral of the story - anything will work with patience and a bit of thought.

Cheers Mick

I would maybe take up stripwests offer of some 2nd hand quality gear ie penn international if you want to save some money, get the right gear the first time.  Unless you have a tld50 kicking around with nothing to do buy an inter

Yeah thanks, I have sent him a pm

Does anyone know if there are any/many differences between the TLD 50 LRS that they sell here, and the LRSA that they sell in the US?

Seems you can get a TLD 50 II LRSA brand new from USA for like $340-350 delivered, they look a bit different to what they flog over here.

Wondering if that is a good option?

Australian's TLDs are no different to TLD from the US. They are identical reels, so really what we have here is what they have there.

All current TLDs are labelled A series. Unless you are comparing to an older model which has the plastic t-bar handle.

The TLD 50 is a good reel for 24kg. Another good option is the Tyrnos 50. Metal frame and a longer and more ergonomic handle.

Ok thanks for that.

The Tyrnos seems only around $60 more than the TLD and I like my Tyrnos 20, so maybe that is the best option unless I can find something second hand.

Dan

I'm very much a tiagra man and beleiver in metal spools ( strong ones too) for big game fish,

my big fish rig is Tiagra 50W with about 700m of 50lb comp mono and rides on a Tiagra 5070R roller game rod. Then I have a Penn Formula 15, also a two speed game reel and more suited to game fish under 150kg. This also has 50lb mono on it and lives on a Sabre roller rod as well. Then for fish under the 100kg range I have a Penn International 50 ( older single speed one, but still a good reel) with 50lb mono on it too. I run this on a Shimano Beastmaster.

I don't believe in bent butt rods on small trialer boats as you need at times to get the rod out and over things and under your arm etc when on the fight and the longer bent butts can get in the way, but hey thats just me. What do I know, never caught a stick face, only tuna.

Those are my main game rods, but for real fun and sport, I do have a Penn Inernational 10LT with a 1000m of 25lb braid line on it. This is a perfect big dollie reel and could handle the long runs of beast should I hook one by mistake. This reel rides on a short 5 foot 6 inch old style game rod, very strong rod, but a litle heavy. I also have a Diawa Sealine two speed SLD30 with 30lb mono on it for smaller game fish like mackies etc and sallies.

If I was in the game now to get a good game rod & reel package that would do everything I needed, plus still be used for other fishing, I'd look at a Diawa SLD 30 ( two speed) or 50 ( two speed ), on a Shimano T-Curve Tiagra game rod ( the one with full rollers only), load it up with 50lb braid and top shot with 100m of 50lb mono, to get the high volume of line needed for long runs.

This rell would still make a good bottom bouncing reel on another rod. I have caught snapper on mine many times.

I'm a firm beleiver in mono for game fish, as the shock absorber effect of the stretch can save you when hard runs and sudden changes of direction push your drag to the limit.

What you do need and can't skip on is a good fighting harness and rod bucket, for me it's a full Black Magic harnes and bucket plate.

The first thing that came to my mind when I read this thread was do you want your tackle to be compliant with IGFA line class rules or PGFC rules.  If this is not an issue then I would take another approach and use braid line with a mono topshot.  This will allow you to use a smaller reel but still have plenty of capacity.  Just for the record braid is allowed by the IGFA as long as it tests within the specified line class.  Many fishing clubs however ban the use of braid in their competitions and tournaments including I think PGFC and tournaments like Gamex at Exmouth.  Please someone correct me if I am wrong. 

OK now assuming you are going to fish braid what line strength?  The consensus of opinion here seems to be that less than 24kg in Perth (with the fish that have been hooked this season) and you more than likely will be blown away.  There was a comment here on another post of someone going to sunset on 37kg (drag later measured at 17kg for memory) and still almost got spooled.  Perhaps they should have backed off the drag rather than applied more.  My comment may entice ridicule but maybe this comment is not as foolhardy as it first sounds.  In other gamefishing circles they have found with blues in particular that the harder you apply the drag the harder they will pull against it.  The same applies to YTK.  Lead the fish away from the reef structure under a light drag and then go hard.  Am I saying if you look like getting spooled on a blue you should back the drag off?  I guess I’m saying it is an option that perhaps is worth considering.  I wish I could comment from my own experience but I have yet to be in that position.  I’ve digressed, so what strength of braid.  Jmo but if you have 1000m+ of 15kg braid on the reel that should suffice on most occasions but your problem will be lifting a big fish that goes deep.  As a newby perhaps line in between 24kg and 37kg is worth considering. 

As far as a rod goes if you can afford quality rollers good but if not good quality guides will suffice.  I like the Black Magic harnesses but there are other brands that are equally as good. Lures catch more anglers than they do fish.  Pakula, Richter, Black Bart, Williamson they have all caught fish. 

There is a huge amount of information on the Pakula website.  It’s well worth a read. www.pakula.com.au

Gear aside - and I realise this is semi off topic. However, there are other aspects which are more vital & fundamental in this scene.

Simple aspects such as knowing how to set a spread & where to set your lures is important. It can be relaxing, slow trolling for hours & then all of a sudden, it is sheer mayhem.

You must know what to do. Likewise, with your mates as deckies - everyone needs to be switched on. Even your boat manoeuvring skills is essential. You can't simply fight a big bill from a static boat. You can't have one greyhound in the opposite direction of the boat & slowly collect line.

There are so many things to consider.

I'm not suggesting all you blokes don't know what's going on (I know there are a few blokes on here that have ample experience), but don't expect to cruise out there hoping to tangle with a 100kg+ billfish & land it easily.

I haven't been involved with BIG billfish. Back in SEQ, tangling with 25-60kg blacks was common. We got a solid & consistent run of juvenile blacks most years. Some fairly docile, others complete mental cases that want to play war with a boat. I've almost copped a beak in my forehead years ago. It's serious stuff... don't discount the ability of these fish.

The big fish are a different matter. Given my experience with bills has been limited to 25-60kg fish, I think I'll be asking a more experienced/pro game fisho for a ride on their boat to tangle with the bigger ones.

ide go a 50 down perth way like every ones hinting to go as big as you can .nothing wrong with 600 odd m of 80lb braid over shot with 100m or so of mono.not reaL sure how much of both you would get on a 50 but im guessing aleast that.if you spend the hours off perth trying .ide want as big as you can afford.THE WEST AUSSIE RECORD FOR HEAVIEST BEAKY IS STILL HELD FROM THE ROTTO TRENCH AREA .thinking that will probably change soon though

The top shot idea might not be a bad one.

Rather than spool my Tyrnos 20 with 300m of 50lb mono, could probably put 400m of braid and then 100 or so of mono on the top.

Might save me buying a new reel?

Do it once and Do it right. Go an Inter or Tiagra that way you will have it for life and know you have the right tools for the job.

There is no IGFA sanctioned tournament in the world for braid lines. All IGFA line will break a kilo or so under its rating and I've seen 30kg rated braid break at 50 under test. That MAY change as Platypus has recently released a braid with guaranteed breaking strains although I believe it is yet to be ratified as IGFA sanctioned and approved, I may be wrong?

Those of you thinking of using braid to get more line on your spools need to appreciate why game reels are spooled with mono. Apart from it's IGFA aprroval its the abilty to stretch and absorb shock which is crucial. A marlin will easily peel off 300 to 500 metres of line in his first run and then change direction in its own body length. A rigid braid cannot taske the shock of the combined fish weight and the resistance of that much line being dragged through the water, it needs to give. If you want to save money spool your reel two thirds with IGFA dacron and one third mono. If you are going to chase the billies you only have to replace the mono each year.

I would also take heed of DazSamFishings cautionary comments regarding the dangers of billfishing, there are too numerous instances of injury due to inexperienced anglers incorrectly wiring a green fish, there was some interesting footage going around years back of some Exmouth boys that had one at the side of the boat only to have it launch itself over the top taking out all their rods in the rocket launcher, imagine if your body was in the way in that situation.

Yes Garrick Agnew still holds the record and it's one that I don't believe will ever be broken in the metro area. One of my crew deckied for him and I doubt there's anybody around these days prepared to spend that much money and time chasing elusive billfish. His fuel bills alone would break even healthy bank accounts. His dedication and perserverence was so great he even used to meet up with long liners and trawlers at prearranged locations to refuel at sea. 

Having said that it would be fanatastic to have some records broken and see some marlin tagged this year, lets make the most of La Nina and just like good "scouts", BE PREPARED!!!!

If you already have a couple hundred meters of mono out, not really sure you need much more than that for shock resistance, but each to their own.

I've heard that Platypus' new braid breaks at about 25% under its rated strength, so be very careful with it given that most braid overtest.

Edit: changed how the bs of the platypus was expressed, for clarity.

I'm actually going to agree with Till here. (got to be a first)

200m is alot of line to have out. Certainly not unusual at early stages through the fight but something you want to remedy asap. Sometimes it can take a while to clear other lines, teasers, riggers etc and remember you have just awoken from a few hours of boredom.

I think that is what makes Exxy so good. you can go up there for most of the year and even as absolute noobs still tangle with enough beakies to start getting you and the crew some sort of idea. The amount we learnt in our first season was amazing. Our first marlin came within 3 minutes of putting a spread out, on braid and a jig rod. Old man (70) was on first strike, picked it up, wound in and we took a photo and let him go, we all looked at each other as if to say "that was easy what's all the fuss".

10 minutes later we had one double the size hit a stella 20,000 loaded with 80lb, emptied most of the spool before we had even got the other outfits in, nearly broke my back on the short jig rod, until it took a second run and snapped the 100lb leader we were running (thinking "how heavy is 100lb nothing will snap this).

We were lucky and hit a red hot week, with at least 8 and up to 15 strikes a day + wahoo and dollies. I reckon we might have got 10 to the boat over the whole week but we learn't heaps and by the end we were right on top of it and converted four from four strikes.

What this has meant is that in subsequent trips when the going has been relly hard we have converted nearly all strikes into hookups, an become a pretty well oiled team.

there is so much information out there, but I reckon that the key i have found is preparation is everything. Sharp hooks, new line, good snaps, taking time to set the spread, working areas properly, having the boat free of clutter with leader gloves in the same spot etc. I have gone down the Tiagra route, but the way I did it is every one who is a regular crew member had to buy one good outfit, so that we now have two 30W and two 50W. Same with lures. Whilst this might seem harsh I figure I am the one who outlays for the boat, servicing, depreciation, wear and tear on 4wd, so if you want to fish on it you contribute to gear. The good thing with this is we have the same crew every year.

If you want to catch Bills off perth use 37kg. Most Marlin off perth will exceed 100kg. The Marlin being raised now are around 200kg. Some well exceed that. You may have 1 shot in years here and why chook it by going too light. I run 1kg and 2kg for tuna (PGFC) here for fun but I wouldn't eat a marlin so fighting it on light gear would only increase the chance of death on release or worse a sharking. If you want Marlin here then only put out big gear and don't muck around. Exmouth is piss easy to get little Blacks, Perth is different.

good thread guys i'm sure lots of people are finding this a good read. i personally run an Tyranos 30 with 500m of 15kg and a Okuma TS50 with 500m of 24kg which is suitable for off here in Karratha, yet to break that duck mind you

I ended up biting the bullet and went out today and bought a Tyrnos 50IILRS, Daiwa 24kg rollered rod and filled with 24kg mono.

Better get a bloody Marlin now!

Now for a harness.....

Sherbs is always copping it. It's his birthday week ray.......................... Btw I think he needs to go to 37kg as that blowie stiched him up on 24kg

Sounds like a good combo there

 i don't want a record, may never even go for marlin, but just gathering the information Is the problem jigging sticks are stiff with no give so they hurt the angler too much? what is the problem with the reels? could you just buy a game rod and top shot 100m of mono? I have a stella 20 000 80 lb braid on a monster mesh jig rod and a torsa 20 50lb braid on a tcurve jig 400. always thought either reel would be fine and the rods not ideal.

Ricey it comes down to the total amount of line on your reel. Little rat blacks in exmouth would be easy on your gear, blues or big blacks however are a different kettle of fish (excuse the pun) and will spool you in no time. On the rare occasions the marlin ARE in metro waters they are on the big side and you just wont fit enougth line on your gear. Even when switch baiting on spinning gear the smallest reel thats used are dogfights due to their line capacity and then only 15kg.

Ricey, jigging are no good for large marlin due to a lot of factors. Even though line capacity may not be issue. The issue is before you even hook a fish. The large lures been trolled are simply not suited to jigging rods. The other issue is how are you going to fish for more than 1hr without a harness??

Sometimes its best to stick to conventional gear and land the fish first.

As mentioned in the other thread, it was on 10kg and was on for two and half hours......

I was on my jigging gimbal for a while then swtiched to Whitey's Aftco standup harness.......

We saw the whole thing jumping around and hounding towards the boat for the first few minutes. Estimated size from Whitey and the crew was abotu 120-150kg.....

The Aftco was ok for light tackle but wasn't setup properly to start with. The gimbal plate itself needs to be fair bit wider.  I prefer the Black Magic Equilizer harness, relatively light and easy to use.

Heading back up to Jurien for another shot on Tues and Wed. That's as soon as the other 2 FADs are in place. Hooked 1, now is to land one.

How do you allocate the strike on the charter Honsu?

Draw straws first then 30 minutes each on strike OR whoever's closest when it goes off (LOL, I dont need to pee really)?

Just a question fellas. What depth do you need to troll. I'm thinking when we go back to Gnaraloo if the weather is good and the catch tank is full lol.

Hey guys, I am new to Perth, have just moved over from Townsville. I would definitely be interested to know where you guys go for the billfish and what other big pelagics you can catch out here in the west!! I completely regret never having caught a Marlin on the east coast and really want to get into the game fishing scene in WA. In qld we did lots of reef and estuary fishing but my old man (boat owner) was never keen to get out and go after billfish. I know a guy who deckied on a marlin charter and always regretted not getting on their boats when I had the opportunity. Looking at buying a boat with my fiance soon, exciting!!! So wondering how big we'd need to have to get out to the areas we would likely find marlin. Boat would definitely have to be trailerable as we won't be living in Perth forever. Look forward to hearing from you all.

Hey Reef Girl Welcome to the state and to the site.  Generally the big pelagics like Marlin and dolphin fish are caught  around the Fads which are situated  behind Rottnest (30nm there abouts) having said said that Marlin are not in huge numbers and do require ALOT of  dedication and hours to be caught off Perth.  In terms of boat if it was me I would be looking at 20ft(6m) as a minimum.  This also gives the advantage of having some size and also fuel capacity without  being excessively big to tow as there is some world class fishing both in the North and the south of this fantastic state.

HTH

Ben 

Thanks for the info Ben! We're looking at a 6m glass boat :) hey tim, we are venturing up to exmouth for Easter weekend I think :) should be a bit of fun. Thinking about trying to organize a charter day up there, haven't really looked into it but hopefully we'll catch something up there !!! :)