Tuna jigging puts you in a straight-up, hand-to-fin fight with a bluefin, and everything in the outfit has to be built for that load. This is heavy, purpose-made gear: a rod with real lifting power, a reel with the capacity and drag to stop a tuna, and connections strong enough to trust when a big fish eats a jig at depth.
The rod
A heavy, tuna-rated jigging rod with a strong tip to work the jig and a powerful lower section to lift the fish. Match the rod to the jig weights and the reel; an under-gunned rod is a recipe for a lost fish and an aching back.
The reel
A high-capacity, high-drag reel is the centerpiece, a Daiwa Saltiga (spinning or conventional jigging model) has the sealed, powerful drag and the line capacity to fight a bluefin off the structure and up from the deep. Fill it with plenty of heavy braid.
Line and leader
Heavy braid, 65 to 100 lb and up, for the strength and the capacity, joined to a heavy fluorocarbon leader or a wind-on. Check every knot and connection; a tuna finds every weak point.
Tip Set the drag with a scale before you leave the dock, and fight the fish with the rod and your legs, not your arms. A properly set high-drag Daiwa and good technique land tuna far faster than muscling it.
Jigs
Heavy knife and flutter jigs in a range of weights to reach the marks and match the current, with strong assist hooks. Carry enough weight to get down fast and stay vertical over the fish. For the surface game, see the tuna popping setup.
Knots for it
Join braid to the heavy leader with a slim beauty or FG knot, and tie the jig on with a San Diego jam.