How to equip your boat for tuna drifting! 🎣

In this article Michele Nodari explains what elements are necessary to equip a boat and the fundamental equipment for drifting tuna fishing: drifting or anchored!

Which fishing rods to choose?

Fishing rods can be of two types:

• Stand-Up from 170/180 cm - For stand-up fishing;
• Trolling from 215 cm to 240 cm - For fishing in a fighting chair with an integrated footrest.

The choice of fishing rod type depends on your preferred fighting style!
The number of fishing rods on the boat must range from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6.

During drifting fishing, a straight handle is recommended, both for rods assembled with rollers and those with guides.

The fishing rods you choose for your boat must be high-performing and allow you to catch fish while having fun and without too much effort. For this reason, Normic has developed blanks with ANS technology, produced in Italy, which have a tip action with a very rapid and precise power reserve; moreover, they are very reactive and can manage the fish without the angler having to accommodate it!

In chair fights, the rollers assembled in the fishing rod truly make a difference in performance. In fact, Normic Rollers, Speed 1 and Speed 2, handcrafted, have a special elastic aluminum alloy with stainless steel ball bearings inside. Technically perfect for managing even the largest tuna!

Fishing rod line ratings, based on tuna size!

Now let's see what the indicated line ratings are for fishing rods, based on the size of the tuna we are going to catch:

• School tuna, from 30kg to 50kg: 20/30 LBS or 50 LBS for beginners - Stand-Up discipline;
• Intermediate tuna, from 60kg to 120kg: 50 LBS or 50/80 LBS - Stand-Up or fighting chair discipline;
• Giant tuna, from 130kg to 300kg: 80/130 LBS - Stand-Up or fighting chair discipline.

Reel characteristics!

The reel mounted on the fishing rod must be proportionate to the line rating to ensure stability and ease of use. The main feature of a reel is the drag, which I recommend be a lever drag. Furthermore, aluminum reels are preferable.

Which line to use?

Tuna fishing line can be of two types:

• Nylon Monofilament;
• Braided multifiber.

The main characteristics of Nylon monofilament are: low elasticity, soft at the knot, and scratch-resistant. We recommend using the Strike Red line in 30, 50, and 80 LBS ratings. In fact, in addition to possessing all the listed characteristics, the red color is not visible underwater and is optimal for catching fish.

Braided multifiber has a diameter reduced by about 50% compared to Nylon line. We recommend using Normic Braid In line in 30, 40, 50, 70, 90 LBS ratings.

Fighting belts!

For the Stand-Up discipline, leg-style fighting belts with a comfortable lumbar/thigh band are necessary. From over 35 years of fighting experience, Normic has managed to create practical and quick-to-wear fighting kits for when the fish is hooked. For giant tuna, Avio and Giant Kits are available!