If you want to target bluefin tuna by jigging Recommended Reels STUDIO OCEAN MARK NO LIMITS BLUE HEAVEN 100Lo, 80Lo

Reels that make jigging for bluefin tuna possible

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, bluefin tuna are not showing up in the top range, and although it is not yet a major player, jigging for bluefin tuna has been producing results every year. Those who have taken up bluefin tuna jigging early on are Takashi Otsuka, head of Studio Ocean Mark, Yasuo Nishimoto, an expert in slow-pitch jerking, and Akihiko Hiranaka of North Cast, a store in Sapporo, Hokkaido. They established the slow pitch jerk method of jigging for yellowfin tuna at Kumejima Island. Their jig operation and fighting techniques have now become a major method of jigging. They have applied this strategy to bluefin tuna, and have achieved results in situations where bluefin tuna do not float.

The NO LIMITS BLUE HEAVEN 100Lo and 80Lo are needed for this strategy. These models were developed to catch bluefin tuna, so to speak. These models are designed for catching large bluefin tuna, and are made with a strong body and designed with thick lines and hydrags in mind.

When jigging for bluefin tuna, the angler sinks the jig in the layer where the tuna appear on the fish finder and below the captain’s target depth, and then the angler searches for the tuna with a fall motion with each stroke. The tuna will use this fall motion to catch the tuna in their mouths.

Since tuna often bite on the fall, a single assist hook is attached to the tail of the jig. The jig should be heavy, depending on the depth of the water, in order to quickly drop the jig to the indicated target area. The photo shows a 300 g Namara Jig S.T.

Powerful low-gear reeling is the best weapon.

First of all, the greatest feature of NO LIMITS BLUE HEAVEN Lo is that it is equipped with a low gear. In magro jigging by slow pitch jerking, it is important to make the jig bounce up significantly and make a good fall time. In this case, high and mid gears are easier to control the jig, but when a large tuna hits, it is hard to reel in the jig. Therefore, focusing on reeling power, the Blue Heaven is equipped with a gear ratio of 4.0:1 and a maximum reeling length of 77 cm. Blue Heaven has a power gear with a “Pw” designation, but this gear ratio provides more reeling torque than that, and is set to enable reeling even with a hydragueous drag of 10 kg or more.

The fight with tuna is spectacular. While the tuna’s powerful pull is being held back by the hydrag, the angler must reel in as fast as he or she can. This is when Lo’s reeling gear comes in handy.

In fact, when you experience reeling in a heavy jig and fighting tuna, you will be surprised at how much torque it has. Compared to mid-gear and power-gear reels, it feels like a completely different reel.

Heat exhaust function supports long tuna runs

In this model, the waterproof cap of the spool has been changed to aluminum, and a design that further exhausts heat has been adopted. Furthermore, the inside of the gearbox body (left photo) features a heat exhaust cover. Tuna run long distances as soon as they hit. To catch tuna by jigging, this running is important, and it is necessary to tire the tuna out by letting it run to some extent. However, running causes heat to build up. This is why a heat exhaust design was adopted. This design has succeeded in lowering the maximum temperature reached by more than 10 degrees Celsius at high spool speeds.

As for the drag washer, the normal model of Blue Heaven has a cork washer that has a heavy initial weight and drag force, so we developed our own cork washer and adopted a model called G40. The NO LIMITS BLUE HEAVEN Lo uses a combination of a carbon drag washer and a stainless steel drag disc. It is designed to withstand high loads and high spool speeds.

Tuna running after a hit.Lo gears may allow the angler to reel in the tuna with gusto after a hit, but in many cases it is better to let the tuna run if it runs, instead of reeling it in more and more at this point. This is because it is difficult to close the distance if the tuna is still energetic. The spool, heat exhaust body, and drag washers are designed to handle such tuna running.

Stronger handle!

In a jigging fight with a bluefin tuna, the line is reeled in by pushing the handle. Considering the load placed on the handle during this process, reinforced wood made from wood and resin molded at high sound pressure is used. In addition, the handle is reeled with force during fighting, and the shaft part is subjected to twisting force. Therefore, the handle shaft is also reinforced. The wood knob looks slippery at first glance, but the slight unevenness of the wood surface reduces slippage, and the knob was arrived at after testing various materials such as EVA and rubber.

Product information
https://studio-oceanmark.com/products/no-limits-blue-heaven/

Summary: Angler’s Time Editorial Department