Gear Question

[CaptainCJ35]

I have a ton of award points from work. These points can only be redeemed at certain retailers... two of which are Cabelas and BassPro. I dont have a lot of big game gear, so I was thinking of adding two rods to my spread. Specifically Shimano TLD50IILRS reels with the house brand 50-130 lb. rods. I can easily cover the cost and shipping with the points I have... basically free gear.

Anyone know of any alternative set-ups that might be better or more effective in the same price range?

[clcharette]

I have 2 of the same reels and love them, I don't think you will be disappointed.

[amarshall]

I have a ton of award points from work. These points can only be redeemed at certain retailers... two of which are Cabelas and BassPro. I dont have a lot of big game gear, so I was thinking of adding two rods to my spread. Specifically Shimano TLD50IILRS reels with the house brand 50-130 lb. rods. I can easily cover the cost and shipping with the points I have... basically free gear.

Anyone know of any alternative set-ups that might be better or more effective in the same price range?

I'm not quite sure the question, but a lot of charter guys use the TLD50s because they're bulletproof and parts are easy to find.

I have them and love them.

Picture is of a 70" fish, I'm fishing without a harness. We're doubled up. The bigger fish angler has the harness.My drag is locked up, trying to horse him in. Reels are bulletproof.

Yes I know the jacket is bright

[CaptainCJ35]

I wanted to make sure there wasn't a better option out there before I spent the points...

Basically you answered all I wanted to know! Thanks guys!

[CaptainCJ35]

... and pictures speak a 1000 words!

[Fathom40]

CaptainCJ,

You already have the info you need but thought I'd add one more.

I have 2 TLD 2 speed 50LRSA's and love them. They are lighter than a Penn 50, $100.00 less per reel and have a nice smooth drag. I matched mine with the Penn International rods(VS5010RS60) 6' line rating 50-100lb. It makes a great outfit at a resonable price point.

Best of luck out there!

Sam
Fathom40

[sashamy]

tlds are junk....not bulletproof at all...can't handle a lot of pressure on the spool, they crack in half

[sears720]

Tiagra 50w....or penn 70s....everthing else the drags go quick after use and abuse. I am with sashamy on this one. For the smaller 50" class fish they are great, once you get into the 70+" the long runs/lots of pressure. Stuff starts to break down. My .02.

-Taylor

[CaptainCJ35]

hmmm... a different opinion.

What combo would you recommend instead? I'm not trying to slay giants, just wrangle the rec size fish that are showing up.

I know Penn, Shimano and Accurate have 130s that can reel in nuke attack subs... but I'm not playing in that game... for now... and I'm operating on a budget so to speak.

[sears720]

hmmm... a different opinion.

What combo would you recommend instead? I'm not trying to slay giants, just wrangle the rec size fish that are showing up.

I know Penn, Shimano and Accurate have 130s that can reel in nuke attack subs... but I'm not playing in that game... for now... and I'm operating on a budget so to speak.

I would recommend shimano 50w tiagra with short stroke bent but rods with big foot guides. The short stroke bent butts are fantastic, can't say enough about them. However, if you do not have outriggers, and plan on trolling, I would get straight butts so you keep all the height you can get from the tip of the rod when trolling. That way you can put your squid bars/etc. as far back as possible. The big foot guides are great for live bait fishing because many guys, like myself, use wind-on spro swivels on their tuna leaders....if you have the big foot guides, you can reel those swivels right through the guide no problem and reel the fishes face right up to the boat instead of having a twelve foot gap between you and the fish. I would suggest the CMS custom rods with short stroke bent butt rods. Again, what I use and like.... pm me if you have any questions or if something I said doesn't make any sense. Good luck with your purchase.

-T