Fishing Rod Setups

This video covers my fishing rod and reel setups for an overnight trip fishing San Clemente Island and also some offshore bluefin fishing.
Shimano Torium 16/20
Penn Fathom 40
Penn VISX 50W
Phenix Rods Axis Rods
HAX 920ML
HAX 820ML
HAX 820H
HAX 780 2XH
HAX 720 4XH

[@pdxigel]

Jeff I saw this 3-year-old video and was going to request an update...but then I saw you are here in the comments, years later, answering every question! best socal bight learning resource on youtube. i am gonna order something from your store even though buying more tackle will annoy my spouse.

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@pdxigel thanks for the support

[@sanddabs159]

This is my favorite kind of video! So glad you did this

[@andrewvillanueva4222]

Awesome setup for tuna fishing

[@Brownballers562]

Nice .. thanks

[@charliecohen2241]

Just a heads of for storing your hooks dont put them on the inside of the guides because it can chip them

[@thrasher949]

You’re absolutely right

[@briggs13a]

I would consider one of those toriums to be a lower gear ratio model.

[@photocowan]

how much 130# fit on that Fathom 40?

[@desert8285]

Good video..my only complaint is you have the hook going right through the line guide. You can damage or knock them out doing that..seen it several times. Thanks for the good info.

[@ChasingPelagics]

Ya I was in a hurry making the video

[@wilk7958]

I fish on the East coast (nj) but I was wondering what model u think would be better for bait fishing for tuna usually around 60 pounds the 7ft2 h 25-60 or 7ft2 xh 30-80 I would also use these for occasionally jigging and some light trolling was thinking about pairing with shimano speedmaster

[@ChasingPelagics]

Stick with the heavy 25-60, it’s got plenty of back bone

[@wilk7958]

@@ChasingPelagics thanks man, u think it’s capable of taking down a tuna over 100 pounds if I happen to hook into one? Was thinking about pairing with with a Talica 12

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@wilk7958 it will probly just take you longer, guys do it all the time on the vertical jigging gear.

[@jdmorgan]

Get um!

[@socalfishincrew5410]

I have a few question… why do you choose to fish 100 on the fathom 40 if you only get about 350 yards wouldnt that put you at risk of being spooled? Is the 40-100 Phenix rod capable of fishing 100 pound or is it a little to parabolic? What grade fish do you think the fathom 40 is capable of?

[@ChasingPelagics]

Fathom 40 with 350 yards is plenty if you use enough drag. 99% of people are rail roding these fish on a sportboat, no reason not to button it down. Only been almost spoiled once, buttoned it down on a 30VISX on 100 and broke it off with a few yards to go. Never even had a chance with that fish, had to be 300 plus. I’m only fishing up to 100lb leaders sinker rig on a fathom 40. Kite or night 130lb on bigger reels. Phenix rods are great, I like to fish them at the end of their range, I feel they do best there. The 4xH rarely applies in SoCal, not parabolic enough unless ur into fish over 250lbs. 2xH and 3XH work great.

[@socalfishincrew5410]

@@ChasingPelagics realistically how much drag should I be fishing on the 40? I heard you can get about 17-18 at strike and like 25 at full. I recently bought a 40 and plan to use it for both sinker rig and knife jigging. Do you think I’ll be alright for 99% of fish excluding that 250+ grade

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@socalfishincrew5410 I’m at 30-33 at full.

[@socalfishincrew5410]

@@ChasingPelagics do you use the gen 1 or 2 or are they nearly the same drag wise? And do you get good freespool?

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@socalfishincrew5410 just sold off the last of my gen 1s, I’m all gen 2 now. I think they freespool better. Cranking power on the new handle is much improved

[@homeycheese1]

ummm, your 40nld2 you said has a 130lb leader but you have it on a 40-100lb rod?

[@ChasingPelagics]

Ya the 2XH is pretty stiff for 40lb, it’s got a nice backbone and can def handle more than 100lb. The guides are big enough also.

[@Diamondthefisherman]

I’m debating between the 7’8 30-80 or 8’2 30-80 for mainly 40lb maybe 50lb fly line. What do you Recomended between these two??

[@ChasingPelagics]

I like longer rods on sport boats, less worry about chafing if the fish goes wild

[@Tony67032]

how long are the top shots you use for the setups?

[@ChasingPelagics]

6-8’ top shots

[@Bigfish1day]

About how much top shot do you use on you setups? I’m not sure what’s good, is there a minimum?

[@ChasingPelagics]

6-8’

[@Bigfish1day]

@@ChasingPelagics Ooops, I have 30 yards🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@Bigfish1day it’s fine if you don’t plan on changing sizes. For my 100lb setup I’ve got 20ft, for 65lb backing I’m changing leaders all the time from 60 to 15.

[@Bigfish1day]

@@ChasingPelagics I have #50 hollow core with 30 yards of #50 mono as a leader. That will catch just about anything in NC. Using a Penn Torque 30 on a 6.5’ MH rod.

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@Bigfish1day no need for hollow core that small. Fluorocarbon leaders will help you get more bites.

[@shitboxoffroad]

No spinners up for the job? there's been some nice offerings Ive been meaning to try.

[@ChasingPelagics]

Not my thing… they say spinners are for those who can’t cast a conventional 🤣. They work good for poppers tho

[@GorettyEnriquez]

Would a fathom 40nld2 be more capable as a knife jig reel for big bluefin with 80 pp or 100 maxcuatro?

[@ChasingPelagics]

100

[@AustinGeorge-c8z]

what are you using the phenix hax 820 h for I have the same rod but with a penn 25n lever drag

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@AustinGeorge-c8z casting iron or 60lb flyline

[@jbbad4004]

Hey I got the same exact rod and penn 40 reel but I run 80lb hollow ace on mine. If I remember correctly I got about 500 or 600 yards with a short 50lb mono top shot. Not sure how much 130lb braid you have on your set up but that seems a little excessive for a 40 size penn reel. Makes me wonder if you figured something out that makes you run that size line. I would like to know if you are willing to share.

[@ChasingPelagics]

The 130 is on the 60

[@niitakayamanobore1208tora]

Nice Set up but better change all hooks! rusting so much... hahaha.

[@ChasingPelagics]

Every trip

[@davidday6426]

Those Toriums get it done. Love those reels. Took one apart after 2 seasons, looked brand new inside. Drag was sitting pretty.

[@ChasingPelagics]

Landed a 150lb black seabass on the first one I bought, they get the job done just fine.

[@photocowan]

@@ChasingPelagics I never thought that the 20 could handle 85#

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@photocowan It holds 310yrs of 80#, usually fish it with a 60# leader. Makes a good heavier jig stick

[@GorettyEnriquez]

What’s your personal best bluefin on a fathom 40. What do you think would be the max grade the reel can handle? What drag setting do you fish it at? Thanks

[@ChasingPelagics]

Every fish is different, same size can act totally different especially at night. Biggest on the 40N was like 160, I’m usually fishing the 60 first unless it’s daytime. 24-26 at strike, depends what you can handle. The foam on the phenix stays dry and you won’t slip. Most people can’t hold 30+ or for very long.

[@GorettyEnriquez]

@@ChasingPelagics do you set it with space for sunset or just a very tight full? And usually how big of a run will a big fish take on the fathoms?

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@GorettyEnriquez always set it drags at strike. Every fish is different especially

[@GorettyEnriquez]

@@ChasingPelagics any reason you prefer the 7,8 phoenix 2xh over the 7,2 or dose it not matter?

[@ChasingPelagics]

@@GorettyEnriquez doesn’t matter, 6” gives a little more room for the pin wheel on a sportboats, but not much difference when it parabolic

[@andrewdewolfe2692]

How many yards and what # braid on that fathom 40nld2?

[@ChasingPelagics]

Its 100#, I think the reels are a little over rated on capacity, if i remember correctly somewhere around 350 yards.

[@andrewdewolfe2692]

@@ChasingPelagics nice. Thank you sir!

[@mexicanamerican21]

Do you even know what guides are on the axis rods? Lol and they rust, and the axis grips are designed like that so the grip the rail without sliding all over🤣 u learn something we everyday

[@ChasingPelagics]

My oldest axis rod is 5 years old, not one guide is rusted, nor has one ever broke.