Leaving for the keys on the 26th and would like to get 2 setups for HST. I have 32oz weights, I have cable, I have yozuri bonitas, Bart’s etc. I have a couple penn international 30TW’s on some heavier rods but they haven’t seemed to have anymore drag or strength than my squall 60ld’s or TLD25’s. I feel like my rod strengths and reels won’t work atleast for the weighted rods and lures. Surely I can use them on a daisy chain. Is it possible for me to get setups that will work for first time trying HST for around $500 per set up? Also, what size main line would you suggest? I am a fan of MoMoi Diamond line. Thanks!
Leaving for the keys on the 26th and would like to get 2 setups for HST. I have 32oz weights, I have cable, I have yozuri bonitas, Bart’s etc. I have a couple penn international 30TW’s on some heavier rods but they haven’t seemed to have anymore drag or strength than my squall 60ld’s or TLD25’s. I feel like my rod strengths and reels won’t work atleast for the weighted rods and lures. Surely I can use them on a daisy chain. Is it possible for me to get setups that will work for first time trying HST for around $500 per set up? Also, what size main line would you suggest? I am a fan of MoMoi Diamond line. Thanks!
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Mike Martinez
"Team Hookers Dream”
2017 Robalo R302 twin 300 yams “Roballin”
I could be wrong, but I did not see that HST was popular in the keys. I didn't hear of a lot of wahoo when I was down there. It was mostly blackfin and peanut dolphin as far as pelagics from what I saw. I would think that sailfish would be starting to heat up down there if you were dying to catch a big fish, but that's mostly live bait and kite fishing down there.
If I had a $500 budget to spend, I would buy some good snorkel gear and some cheap spear guns and enjoy poking holes in fish in 20 feet of water. That would be way more fun.
That being said, you can get a couple kites and live bait for less than that as well.
Wahoo and sailfish bite mirror one another in the keys. HST is most popular for wahoo in S Florida and keys to eliminate all other species from ballyhoo and live bait fishing. Wahoo is best in winter months just off the reefs edge. We caught one immediate off the edge on ballyhoo and sea witch in winter 2016/2017 around New Years but I’m wanting to HST.
TLD 50 full of 80-130 lb braided line on Pinnacle Marine Rods from THT. I like straight butts but many people prefer bent butts. $500 per combo is a tight budget for HST rigs. That will get you gear that can do it occasionally. Not gear that will withstand a lot of long term abuse. If you just want to do it a couple times a year, this set up will do it for sure.
TLD 50 full of 80-130 lb braided line on Pinnacle Marine Rods from THT. I like straight butts but many people prefer bent butts. $500 per combo is a tight budget for HST rigs. That will get you gear that can do it occasionally. Not gear that will withstand a lot of long term abuse. If you just want to do it a couple times a year, this set up will do it for sure.
Honestly I’d like to get Tiagra 50W but man I am going to need about $1700-$2000 for just the 2 combo’s.
I will sell you my daiwah 900h on old solid glass penn Mariner with Aftco roller tip. Reel had accurate upgraded handle and drag inserts that push 50lbs caught 2 hoos in August on it pulling a #8 planer at 7-8kts so I know you could pull inline weights and HST lures but it is rigged with a planer bridle, which works for inline weights too. PM me. Cheapest way into the heavy wahoo game by far even after charging for the work and parts.
Give me a shout at Haddrell’s you’d be surprised what you can get new at close to that price point. I do recommend some heavier class reels but if you’re trying to work with $500 I can tell you where you will be.
If you buy new you have a warranty and you have some locally that can assist you with any issues that may arise.
I’m at the West Ashley location, good luck on your fishing adventure.
I have HST south Florida - Miami to Fort Lauderdale. I used Tiagra 30Ws with oversized bent butt rods. Trolling metal wahoo lures behind large inline weights always pulled drag if I went over 12-13 knots. Whatever you are getting, go 50s AND definitely invest in rod straps… I learned that the hard way. There’s a Tiagra 30W and Shimano rod somewhere on the bottom, off the coast of Fort Lauderdale.
For line, I have 80lb braid backer and maybe 60lb mono on top… most people will laugh at that, but I also used these setups for mahi. I have never had an issue but I would go larger for dedicated setups. I have never had any luck with those Bonitas in Florida or Charleston, but folks sure do swear by them. I’ve had the most luck with Iland Ilander Black/Blue(purple?) and high-speed metal wahoo lures.
The trick there was outgoing tide in the morning. We would zig-zag the reef/ledge near 100ft and seemed to have more action while heading into deeper water.
As someone already mentioned, I don’t know how the wahoo fishing is in the keys. But, I wouldn’t let that stop you! I’ve fished a few charters out of Islamorada and they would have a rod ready with a deep diving jig. They would always troll a few circles around any debris on the water with that one lure out in hopes of one lurking below… that was after we cleared it of any Mahi or tripletail. This was also in the middle of Summer. All that to say, they must be there.
Good luck! Wahoo is definitely my favorite fish to target!
quote:Originally posted by FLORIDA_BOY2
Leaving for the keys on the 26th and would like to get 2 setups for HST. I have 32oz weights, I have cable, I have yozuri bonitas, Bart’s etc. I have a couple penn international 30TW’s on some heavier rods but they haven’t seemed to have anymore drag or strength than my squall 60ld’s or TLD25’s. I feel like my rod strengths and reels won’t work