A "REEL" question - Shimano vs Penn jigging

[flyerphan13]

Wow, I'll try to answer.
First the good news: In response to numerous requests from west-coast anglers, Penn is building a few more more Baja Specials,

If that is the case, I will be the first one in line to get one, maybe 2 or 3

[Sea Draggin]

Clever thinking, Jim.

I guess not clever enough to be considered

Like some of the charter boats, so will get on board with the jigging thing and others will be left behind. Not be abrasive, just truthful and honest.

[TBaker]

I guess not clever enough to be considered

But a good concept, nonetheless. Just need to find the right partner to give you the proper distribution boost!

[Sea Draggin]

I always keep in my mind my friend who makes seawitches. When he started, there was a major tackle distributor that wouldn't have anything to do with them. Now they don't need that distributor.

[TBaker]

I always keep in my mind my friend who makes seawitches. When he started, there was a major tackle distributor that wouldn't have anything to do with them. Now they don't need that distributor.

Always a great goal. At a minimum, its the right attitude to operate under!

[kitebuz]

You can also put the more round knob handle from the Penn 950 on the 760 Slammer to make it more jig friendly imo. If you are fishing w/ 50lb braid, this is actually a pretty nice set-up - paired w/ a Penn Torque rod which retails for $99, and you've got a great mid-light weight jigging set-up for short $$.

I think the 60"+ tuna that we were seeing in the NE would challenge the drag ratings in this set-up though - not impossible, just make it too long to land them. Last year, guys were rigging up 80-100lb braid for jigging tuna on spin gear, and putting out 25+lb of drag to get them to the boat in less than an hour. Who knows what they will look like this year...

The Torques are nice conventional jigging (& other) reels for sure.

[fishinmagician_IV]

For all the comments, I do appreciate them and will give a report once the weather cooperates and I can get a crew together. Sounds like I can do a little tweaking to the 300 also, to help on the drag.

[hugo4507]

As a west-coast Penn Pro Staffer, I have been using the TRQ300 since before they actually hit the market.
It is a great jigging reel, and I have caught numerous fish with it, including yellowfin tuna to 95 pounds, wahoo to 70 pounds, striped marlin to 175 pounds, Alaska halibut to 150 pounds, CA yellowtail, albacore, bluefin tuna, amberjack, pargo, etc, etc,
I use it for both "California-style" jigs and "Japanese-style" jigs, usually with a 50-100 yard topshot of 40 or 50 pound mono, but also with straight 65 or 80 pound braid and just a short leader.
Line capacity is 450 yards of 80-pound Big Game Braid solid, so you can calculate from there.
They are indeed a bit heavier with a purpose, and are built like tanks. Torques have substantially more "cranking power" due to the "double wide" gears, and generate up to 32 pounds of drag.
When major casting distance is needed, such as when using "light" California-style jigs like Tady 45's, I drop down to the smaller TRQ200, which holds 400 yards of 65-pound Big Game Braid solid.
As for spinning reels, comparing a $150 reel to an $800 reel is apples to oranges, but around December of this year Penn will be coming out with a high-performance jigging-type spinning reel [made in USA] priced in the $700 range.
The Penn Slammer spinning reels are very good considering the price range is only $140 to $170; they have a metal body, extra-heavy drive shaft and the upgraded drag.

Hi i from malaysia,
In my arsenal i have Penn slammer 360,560L,and 760L.
Mostly use them for jigging.Penn Supporter.
I'm thinking to get another TRQ200 for deep sea jigging, target doothtooth ,yellow fin and amberjack.
Pro what do you think if i paired this reel with Penn Torque 80-130lbs jigging rod.
I worry is only the reel was it too heavy for me.

[Tunanorth]

Hi i from malaysia,
In my arsenal i have Penn slammer 360,560L,and 760L.
Mostly use them for jigging.Penn Supporter.
I'm thinking to get another TRQ200 for deep sea jigging, target doothtooth ,yellow fin and amberjack.
Pro what do you think if i paired this reel with Penn Torque 80-130lbs jigging rod.
I worry is only the reel was it too heavy for me.

Hi Hugo,
I assume the Penn Torque Jigging Rod you are talking about is the TJ8013C58.
I find that the TRQ300 is a bit much for that rod, but the TRQ200 feels just right to me, and I switch to the handle off the larger reel, which fits my hand better.
The bigger reel is still faster due to the larger spool diameter, [48 inches per crank vs. 38 inches per crank], so that may be a consideration.
Also worth considering is the line capacity. The TRQ300 will hold 450 yards of 80-pound braid, while the TRQ200 will hold 400 yards of 65-pound braid.
Penn is coming out with a slightly heavier Torque Jigging Rod [not sure of rating] this fall, which should balance better with the TRQ300.

[hugo4507]

Hi Hugo,
I assume the Penn Torque Jigging Rod you are talking about is the TJ8013C58.
I find that the TRQ300 is a bit much for that rod, but the TRQ200 feels just right to me, and I switch to the handle off the larger reel, which fits my hand better.
The bigger reel is still faster due to the larger spool diameter, [48 inches per crank vs. 38 inches per crank], so that may be a consideration.
Also worth considering is the line capacity. The TRQ300 will hold 450 yards of 80-pound braid, while the TRQ200 will hold 400 yards of 65-pound braid.
Penn is coming out with a slightly heavier Torque Jigging Rod [not sure of rating] this fall, which should balance better with the TRQ300.

Hi Tunanorth,
Thanks for the infomation,will look for it.
Between what is the price of TRQ200 selling in USA.