Long line fishing incorporates a single, main line with leaders and baited hooks. The test rating of the main line depends on the species of fish being targeted. Test line rating is typically lighter when targeting pelagic species, which feed near the surface, such as tuna and yellowtail. You need heavier test line for targeting deep-water species, such as cod and halibut. Commercial long-line boats have motorized spools mounted on the after-deck that are capable of holding 10,000 yards of 1,600-lb. test main line. Recreational long-liners use electric reels that hold up to 2,000 yards of 200-lb. test main line. Long line fishing begins with rigging the leaders.
Step 1
Chart a course in a fishing ground where pelagic or deep-water fish are feeding. Rig the long line while under way, which allows you to play out line behind the boat and avoid tangles while outfitting the long line leaders and hooks.
Step 2
Mount the electric reel on a stout 100-lb. class rod that has a roller guide at the tip. Place the rod in a rod holder. Connect the electrical leads from the reel to a 12-volt power source, such as a battery or DC voltage converter that operates off the boat's electrical system.
Step 3
Select the weight of the sinker for the particular application. Top-water long lines may use as little as 6 oz. of weight. Deep-water lines may use as much as 5 lbs. of weight.
Step 4
Work from the spool of 200-lb. main line on the reel. Attach the end of the line to the sinker using a typical improved clinch knot. Place the sinker in a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Use a bungee cord to secure the bucket in choppy or rough seas.
Step 5
Cut the main line three feet from the sinker using fishing pliers. Attach a number 1/0 triangle swivel to the end of the 3-foot length of line using the clinch knot. Cut another 3-foot piece of 200-lb. main line from the reel spool to use as the next section of the long line. Attach this piece to the opposite end of the first triangle swivel using the clinch knot.
Step 6
Cut nine additional lengths of 200-lb. line 3 feet long. Connect each section of line to the opposite end of the previous triangle swivel using the clinch knot. This configuration of line and swivels makes the leader setup. Coil the leader setup in the 5-gallon bucket as you go. Connect the last 3-foot section of the main-line leader to the line on the electric reel spool using a number 1/0 corkscrew swivel and clinch knots.
Step 7
Cut 10 pieces of 60-lb. test leader to equal lengths. The leaders should be at least 12 inches long. Attach number 10/0 circle hooks to one end of each leader using the clinch knot. Cut the tag end of the leader knots 1/4 inch from the hook to allow for slippage that may occur when pulling in larger fish. Hang each of the hook and leader setups on the outside rim of the 5-gallon bucket as you go.
Step 8
Lift the sinker out of the bucket and place it on the deck. Attach a leader and hook setup to the center ring of the first triangle swivel using the clinch knot. Attach another leader setup to the center ring of the second triangle swivel.
Step 9
Ask a deck hand to let the sinker out behind the boat and play it out steadily as you tie the remaining leaders to the remaining triangle swivels. Ask the deck hand to retrieve the line and coil the hook and leader setup neatly in the bucket.
Step 10
Begin baiting each hook as you approach the fishing grounds. Ask the skipper to slow the boat to five knots. Bait the first hook and ask the deck hand to play the long line out steadily as you bait the remaining hooks. Play out line from the reel as needed to reach the feeding fish. Ask the skipper to stop the boat.
Step 11
Retrieve the long line using the electric reel. Stop retrieving line onto the reel when you reach the first hook and leader. Retrieve the remaining line and leaders and any fish using cotton or leather gloves.
Tips and Warnings
- The main line and leaders are monofilament or braided line. Use lead crimps instead of knots when rigging braided long lines.
- Do not attempt to fish long line without the assistance of a qualified deck hand.
Things You'll Need
- Electric reel
- 12-volt power source
- 200-lb. test main line
- Sinker
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Fishing pliers
- Number 1/0 triangle swivels
- 60-lb. test leaders
- Number 10/0 circle hooks
- Number 1/0 corkscrew swivel
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