Baja/Islands gun?

[spearguam]

I am interested in a gun that could be used out at the Islands and the occasional trip to Baja. What would be the most practical length? Can one gun cover this?

I am using a 60" Wong Hybrid right now. Maybe this is enough gun for me?

I am looking at the 64" Striker in the classifieds but I am wondering if that would be too much gun for the Islands. I am sure it would be great in Baja. I don't need the gun immediately, but I would like to be prepared if a deal comes along.

Any comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
TIM

[phil herranen]

Originally Posted by spearguam

I am interested in a gun that could be used out at the Islands and the occasional trip to Baja. What would be the most practical length? Can one gun cover this?

I am using a 60" Wong Hybrid right now. Maybe this is enough gun for me?

I am looking at the 64" Striker in the classifieds but I am wondering if that would be too much gun for the Islands. I am sure it would be great in Baja. I don't need the gun immediately, but I would like to be prepared if a deal comes along.

Any comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
TIM

that will be fine for islands or baja i use a 68" .imo u should use the bigest gun the vis lets u . all the guys i dive with use merlos or mine (scott uses his baja gun for the islands )and when we charter the peace the smallest gun is a 65". its nice to know that u are can reach out to any fish u can see and when the bluefin pass by u are ready.
phil

[Icarus Pacific]

A 60" inch gun, especially a Wong is fine. It's not so much the weight and length of the gun as it is the diver. I've used a 55 and a 63 Wong in both locations and done fine. The WSB hunting I do is in the kelp and a 65-68" gun is a bitch in the kelp. That and they're paid for...

If there's a reason to get a bigger gun, in my mind it'd be only to be able to use a bigger, 3/8" shaft.

I have a 60" SeaSniper that I got specifically for use in Baja for Pargo and larger grouper and AJ. The wahoo don't care if it's a 5/16" shaft from my Wong Super Mag.

While I have guns from both Merlo and Alexander, they're pretty much dedicated Tuna guns and stay on the panga until I actually see the tuna, and then I'll drag them out.

[mokaction]

The gun I use most is a 62 in striker with a 5/16 shaft, platmen slip tip, and 4 bands. 62 or 63 are the best leights for the kelp on high vis days. If you see a big fish you want the big power to get them.

Larry

[Bill McIntyre]

The 60" hybrid is all you ever need at the islands.

[phil herranen]

Originally Posted by Bill McIntyre

The 60" hybrid is all you ever need at the islands.

i agree ,if u live close enuff to be able to pass on long shots and not come home with a fish becuse u can just try again next week. but if its a 8 hour drive each way to the harbor and u ony get a couple chances a year i want the odds stacked in my favor (at least untill i have a couple in the cooler).
phil

[Bill McIntyre]

Originally Posted by phil herranen

i agree ,if u live close enuff to be able to pass on long shots and not come home with a fish becuse u can just try again next week. but if its a 8 hour drive each way to the harbor and u ony get a couple chances a year i want the odds stacked in my favor (at least untill i have a couple in the cooler).
phil

Its not a matter of living close and being willing to pass on long shots. I think my chances are actually better with a 60" or smaller hybrid. My "big gun" for the islands is a 57" magnum. I don't care how well balanced a big wood gun is, its harder to swing it. I've got an ono gun, and last summer it was on my boat once, for the first time in about three years. I did shoot a yellowtail at Catalina with it, but I'm not sure the fish would have been out of range of my magnum.

And for white sea bass at the islands- a kelp bed is a kelp bed whether its at an island or the mainland, and I consider a gun over 60" to be a handicap. Also, even at the islands the vis isn't always good. I think I would get fewer fish with my ono gun.

Diving with Dam has reminded me why big guns are not necessary. His only gun is a 50" hybrid, and he has taken some very nice fish. The last one, a 48 pounder, was taken in clear water, even if it wasn't at the islands.

[spearguam]

Thanks for the info guys.

I am not just thinking WSB at the Islands, but also YT and paddy hopping.

I like the idea of caring a smaller gun and waiting for the good shot in the kelp. I am sure my 60" Hybrid would be more than enough for this.

I guess I am wondering if I buy a bigger gun (64") will it just sit and collect dust until I go on trips.

I was thinking of having Daryl cut my 60" down to 55" and then have a 62"-64" wood gun for the clear days. Maybe I will do the opposite and keep the 60" and get a smaller 50" gun for the murky days.

Bill, how many bands does Dam have on his 50" Hybrid?


Thanks again guys,
TIM

[Bill McIntyre]

Originally Posted by spearguam

Thanks for the info guys.

I am not just thinking WSB at the Islands, but also YT and paddy hopping.

You'll hear different points of view, but I've even used my 50 for paddies. Yellowtail in schools are suicidal.

Bill, how many bands does Dam have on his 50" Hybrid?

He has three 9/16" bands on his 50" GR hybrid, and he just shot this 65 pound fish a couple of hours ago.

My buddy Jeff used three 5/8" bands on his 50" open track hybrid to shoot this 65 pound fish a couple of weeks ago.