Build Your Own Albie Fishing Combo – On The Water
Among inshore anglers, false albacore—a.k.a. little tunny—join striped bass and bluefish as one of the most heralded game fish of the northeast. Come late summer, from Cape Cod to New Jersey and everywhere in between, these small inshore tunas electrify our waters as they tear ferociously through schools of young of year baitfish. Year in and year out, they are responsible for some of our best memories on the water, but they’re equally accountable for broken rod tips, spent drags, and the occasional spooling. Whether you’re replacing a rod that was sacrificed in action or it’s simply time for a newer, lighter, more sensitive setup, here are some worthy options for your albie fishing arsenal that are designed to withstand their screaming runs and tame their tuna tendencies.
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Selecting a Rod
For long, accurate casts and responsive action for bringing casting jigs to life, albie fishermen favor 7’ to 7’6” fast action spinning rods rated for lures from ¼- to 1- or 1 ½-ounce. Fishermen can find suitable albie rods at a wide range of prices, with the more expensive setups offering higher end, lighter-weight components.
Details: 7’6”, Fast Action, 1/8- to 1-ounce lures
St. Croix Legend Tournament Inshore ITL73MHF
Details: 7’3”, Fast Action, ½- to 1¼-ounce lures
G. Loomis NRX+ Inshore Spinning 903S
Details: 7’6”, Extra Fast Action, 3/8- to 1-ounce lures
Choosing a Reel
Spinning reels for albie fishing require durable gears and a smooth retrieve through what can be hundreds of casts a day. Reels in the 3000 to 5000 size are favored for balancing the rods and holding enough 15- to 20-pound-test braided line to withstand the drag-scorching runs of a hooked albie. Fishermen can find durable, high-performing albie reels from a number of manufacturers all around the $200 to $250 price range.
Holding 270 yards of 20-pound braided line, the Stradic C5000 is a perfect albie reel, with lots of power in a compact package. It retrieves 40 inches of line per crank, for picking up slack and getting lures moving in a hurry.
Penn Spinfisher VII Long Cast 3500
A full metal body and side plate establishes a rigid framework needed to maintain precise alignment, efficiency and smooth internal workings cast after cast. Penn’s HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers equipped in this reel offer smooth drag performance and great durability from the first albie of the season to the last.
A lightweight yet strong aluminum body resists corrosion, making this reel ideal for kayak, surf, and boat-based albie chases. The Automatic Tournament Drag reduces the start-up inertia, for a smoother drag from when a hooked albie goes from zero to 60 in a few tailbeats.
Spooling Up
Smooth-casting, eight carrier braided lines like PowerPro SuperSlick V2, Daiwa J-Braid Grand X8, and Seaguar Smackdown are favored by albie fishermen who want all the extra casting distance they can get. Generally, 15- to 20-pound test strikes the best balance of casting distance and strength, but fishermen looking for line to do double-duty with albies and bigger striped bass may want to bump up to 30.
Related Content
What’s the Best Rod for False Albacore?
13 Casting Jigs for False Albacore
