Need recommendation for rod and reel

[modernrocketry]

My 9 year old son has asked for a tuna pole for Christmas.

I am not a fisherman, and really don't know where to begin. So I'll give you some background to help me out.

The kid takes REALLY good care of his fishing stuff, so I don't have a problem spending a decent amount of money on this setup.
He would mostly use it while we cross the San Pedro channel from Long Beach, California to Catalina Island (25 miles with depths from 100ft to 3200 ft) I know he doesn't really need a true tuna pole -- a good trolling setup would work fine, but if a tuna pole would also work for normal trolling, I'd rather get him that.

Are there any good websites to buy\browse? Recommendations?

What do you guys think?

 

[rolmops]

Re: Need recommendation for rod and reel

Trolling those waters,the first thing you need is a fighting chair to strap a 9 year old into.
Tuna can be anywhere between 6 and 600 pounds,and there is no reason why a shark would not hit whatever it is you are trolling.
It is none of my business,but I do believe that a nine year old should not be on one end of a trolling rod specially when dad admittedly knows very little about fishing.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Need recommendation for rod and reel

Penn and Diawa both make good rigs. From the Penn 113h 4/0 to an International, you can spend from $150 up to $800, or more. You are talking about tackle in the 50# to 80# range. I would not get a short,stiff rod. More like a 7' with good taper for a lot of give. Much shorter and the action from a big fish will be intensified.
I would also bring aboard a captain who will free lance aboard your vessel to give you the knowledge you will need to fish properly. Guides are available too, and I am sure plentiful in your area.
Good luck, and let's see some pictures!

 

[thurps]

Re: Need recommendation for rod and reel

triumphrick is right on. I personally have caught marlin, tuna, bonita sharks, thrasher sharks, and an amazing assortment of other fish trolling those exact waters. My biggest was a 570# thrasher about a mile off Avaon. There is absolutely nothing you can't catch with a quality one piece rod, a Penn 4/0, and some of the new braded 80# line. Glad to see you are bringing the kid up right.

 

[modernrocketry]

Re: Need recommendation for rod and reel

It is none of my business,but I do believe that a nine year old should not be on one end of a trolling rod specially when dad admittedly knows very little about fishing.

I hear your concern! -- I assure you that he's not going to be trolling unsupervised. I have many friends who are very experience fisherman and would be happy to swap some educational time with my son for blue water fishing time.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Need recommendation for rod and reel

I'd have to go along with Triumphrick. A Penn 4/0 on a 7' rod sounds about right. Penn makes an excellent reel and is not overly expensive. You don't need the International model, just yet. Maybe later, when he is a big time tournament fisherman.