The advantages of trolling for live-bait tuna fishing

Atlantic bluefin tuna—especially large specimens—are extraordinarily powerful fish that demand a minimum of physical conditioning, sound technique, and gear that’s up to the task to fight them in relative comfort. When it comes to bringing the biggest fish to the boat, tackle choice becomes paramount; in fact, spinning outfits can quickly show their limits on fish over 150 kg. Here’s why you should opt for a trolling setup.

Simple, robust mechanics

Conventional (lever/star-drag) reels rely on a much simpler mechanism than spinning models. In short, you can compare them to a winch: a spindle on which the line is wrapped, with brake discs on one side to control payout and a few gears on the other to multiply retrieve speed.

What’s more, compared with a spinning reel of equivalent power, the parts are larger, thicker, and fewer in number.

These two characteristics deliver greater robustness and therefore longer service life when facing such ultra-powerful fish.

Drag power

The second advantage of this simple, oversized mechanism over spinning is that it enables a more powerful drag, notably thanks to the larger contact surface of the drag washers on the spool.

Using a fighting belt

While high drag settings are necessary to subdue the largest bluefin along the Atlantic coast, the angler must still be able to withstand and exploit them.

Good fighting technique and the use of a fighting belt—together with other parameters discussed below—allow you to absorb very high drag pressures more easily.

A low gear ratio

Unlike spinning reels, conventional reels aren’t designed for casting or burning lures at high speed. As a result, their gear ratios are much lower, which obviously adds strength but, above all, enables a fighting technique based on very short, consistent pump strokes. A low ratio allows a handle turn with a small arc—something that’s impractical on spinning reels with retrieve rates of 100 to 130 cm per turn.

Constant pressure

This fighting technique brings another benefit: maintaining steady pressure on the fish and limiting slack that would give it a breather and the chance to drop its head. The tuna is therefore kept under near-constant pressure throughout the fight, which has the effect of shortening it.

High line capacity

Another key advantage of trolling reels for live-baiting: they offer far greater line capacity than spinning models. This gives anglers more time to clear other lines on a hookup and to set multiple baits spaced well behind the boat.

In addition, the large capacity lets you conduct more of the fight at distance and on an angle, which is far more comfortable than fighting straight up and down beneath the boat.

The option to use nylon (mono)

The generous capacity also allows the use of nylon monofilament instead of the braid that’s standard on spinning outfits. This much more supple material cushions head shakes and is easier on your back and arms. Thanks to its larger diameter and abrasion resistance, it’s also less fragile and more forgiving of fighting mistakes and any contact with the hull or gunwale.

Shorter fights

As you can see, a trolling outfit gives the angler a clear edge in the fight compared with a spinning combo—thanks to higher drag power, sustained pressure on the fish, and the pump-and-wind technique. Fights are shorter, more comfortable, and make it possible to land larger tuna. If you’re after a trophy fish, a conventional reel is the obvious choice!