50w's or 80's

[backman]

I am really curious just how many fish per decade/ much less per year all of you have experienced that have made you feel a 50 was inadequate while either trolling or kite bait fishing. I exclude the true commercials targetting giants only from this question.

In 14 seasons out east I have seen perhaps 10 fish of that class while trolling, 5 of which were in 96-98 on other boats.

We've landed perhaps 4 or 5 72-76" fish along the way which really did not stress a 50; we landed a 70" fish in 1200' of 72 degree water on a 30 which was tough because of the conditions and a light rod, not because of the reel. We've trolled up an 84" fish on a bar w/ a 50 and really never got more than 2/3 of the way down. I've broken one off waaay out due to line drag and Christian was spooled once while fishing solo.


I'm certainly all over being prepared but bringing an AK47 to the schoolyard seems to me to be just a bit of overkill for what one might expect while recreational fishing.

[Col. Kurtz]

I am really curious just how many fish per decade/ much less per year all of you have experienced that have made you feel a 50 was inadequate while either trolling or kite bait fishing. I exclude the true commercials targetting giants only from this question.

In 14 seasons out east I have seen perhaps 10 fish of that class while trolling, 5 of which were in 96-98 on other boats.

We've landed perhaps 4 or 5 72-76" fish along the way which really did not stress a 50; we landed a 70" fish in 1200' of 72 degree water on a 30 which was tough because of the conditions and a light rod, not because of the reel. We've trolled up an 84" fish on a bar w/ a 50 and really never got more than 2/3 of the way down. I've broken one off waaay out due to line drag and Christian was spooled once while fishing solo.


I'm certainly all over being prepared but bringing an AK47 to the schoolyard seems to me to be just a bit of overkill for what one might expect while recreational fishing.

Backman, your response is almost verbatim relative to my line of thinking in deciding not to go with a bigger set-up. I don't claim to have knowledge of every giant BFT caught in our waters, but I try to keep my finger on the pulse of what's out there through this site and other sources. With that said, the landings reports just don't seem to statistically support and/or justify the need for a rec guy such as myself to make the leap up from a 50w to an 80 or 130.

If I was going out there 5-6 days a week (or fishing around PEI), thereby increasing my odds of hooking an 81+" fish, it is quite possible my position would be different.

[rabcoman]

i play with 80stw penn for shark and tuna. u just never know what will come up.

capt. trif
www.biggamefishingteam.com

[Tuna Meltdown]

I am really curious just how many fish per decade/ much less per year all of you have experienced that have made you feel a 50 was inadequate while either trolling or kite bait fishing. I exclude the true commercials targetting giants only from this question.

In 14 seasons out east I have seen perhaps 10 fish of that class while trolling, 5 of which were in 96-98 on other boats.

We've landed perhaps 4 or 5 72-76" fish along the way which really did not stress a 50; we landed a 70" fish in 1200' of 72 degree water on a 30 which was tough because of the conditions and a light rod, not because of the reel. We've trolled up an 84" fish on a bar w/ a 50 and really never got more than 2/3 of the way down. I've broken one off waaay out due to line drag and Christian was spooled once while fishing solo.


I'm certainly all over being prepared but bringing an AK47 to the schoolyard seems to me to be just a bit of overkill for what one might expect while recreational fishing.

Very good post Larry. What about 70's? Haven't heard anybody mention the Penn 70VS? I don't own one but that seems like a very good comprimise.

[backman]

The 70's are a great compromise. I do not own one but have fished with them and handled them standup multiple times.

Stew can give his advice here as I know they play a role in his spread.

[chumtini]

I have 50VSWs and 70Vs. I gotta say, I love the 70s. Lighter than an 80 and similar diameter. And with todays braids, line capacity isn't an issue. It's a perfect compliment to my set of 50s. I would recommend two speed reels. Necessary? No, but nice to have.

Anyone using the VSX reels?

[Innovator]

We used to fish the 70VSX's with Cappy D (Castafari), I have to say it is the perfect compromise between an 80 and a 50. Plenty of drag and capacity, while being much lighter than an 80. The new Penn stuff is alright in my opinion, the new plating process they are using is not as tough as the old internationals and they have a plastic ratchet piece in the lever drag that I was not a big fan of, caused the lever to stick. The newer Penns need a lot more TLC than the older reels, but that should be a given anyway.

Cappy D has switched over to the Alutechnos reels the last two seasons, I'm not sure but their 50 Wides may have more capacity than both the Penn/Shimanos they seem bigger. They have also held up very well to the abuse of a charter boat, more food for thought.

[gmoney]

Yeah the 70's really are the ticket i feel for the school fish now. I have 2 of them and one of the other boats i fish on regularly also has 2. Not saying you cant get the job done with the 50, the 70 just makes you more prepared for that random higher end fish that may pull a drive by on you.....

[org57]

I HAVE A NIB PENN INTERNATIONAL V 50VW FOR SALE FOR $400, NEVER USED, NEVER BEEN ON A ROD NOR HAD ANY LINE INSTALLED, SEND PM OR E-MAIL ME AT org57@charter.net

[org57]

if interested i have a internatonal v 50vw for sale for $400. send pm or e-mail me at org57@charter.net