Giant bluefin are among the largest, most powerful fish an angler can target, and hooking one on live bait in a slick means being ready with the heaviest stand-up gear there is. An 80-wide outfit is built for exactly one job: turning and beating a fish that can weigh more than everyone on the boat combined.
The rod
A heavy stand-up tuna rod built to the 80W class, short, powerful, and made to be fished from a harness and belt. A bent-butt version helps in the fighting chair or off the rail. This is serious gear with the lifting power to gain line on a giant.
The reel
An 80-wide, two-speed lever-drag reel with enormous line capacity and a high-end drag. The low gear lets you crank against a giant when it sounds; the capacity keeps you connected through a long, deep fight. This is big-game tackle at its most serious.
Line, leader and hook
Heavy braid or mono to fill the reel, a heavy fluorocarbon or mono leader, and a stout circle hook matched to the bait. Circle hooks are the standard for bait, they set in the corner of the jaw, which is both effective and far better for a fish that must be released.
Tip Fight a giant with the boat and a harness, not brute strength. Set the drag properly, use the two-speed low gear to gain line, and let the captain maneuver, giants are won with technique and teamwork, not by pulling harder.