Multi-Purpose Tiagra 50

[Kahi]

Hey guys:

I need a little help. I want to pick up a heavier rod/reel to compliment my current set-up/combination trolling spread. I run rather light gear, 2 TLD 25's with 30# test for my long baits, and 2 Okuma TG 15 II Speads with 20# on my short. I wanted to buy an Tiagra 50 as a 5th set up, to use "in case". By "in case", In mean in case I come across a monster tuna/marlin, a big bull Dolphin, or a Bahamas wahoo. I would also like this rod to be my bottom fishing outfit, to full fat grouper and AJ's out of wrecks. SO the question is as follows:

If I rig the Tiagra with straight 80# Braid, to accomplish my bottom fishing needs, is this set-up worthless for trolling?

The main problem I have, other than the budget to buy 2 outfits, is space on the boat. I'm worried that the braid will not have enough "give" to handle a vicious hit, but mono on the bottom has too much stretch (25%).

What to do?

[ocalex]

Im not that familiar with bottom fishing but you at least need a mono topshot for trolling. On that note you could spend a little extra money and buy a duel reel and a spare spool for it, fill one for bottom fishing and one for trolling and your answer is solved. Not exactly sure about prices but it should be cheaper then buying 2.

[Kahi]

Duel Reel? I need to look into that. K

[z71offshore]

You'll be fine with the braid. fill the reel up with braid. when trolling, add a little 80lb spro inline swivel , and crimpt about 75 to 100 ft of 100 lb mono (or whatever you prefer). when bottom fishing, remove the mono, put it on a spool and thats it. worked for me for a while when I had my tyrnos full of braid

[Kahi]

You'll be fine with the braid. fill the reel up with braid. when trolling, add a little 80lb spro inline swivel , and crimpt about 75 to 100 ft of 100 lb mono (or whatever you prefer). when bottom fishing, remove the mono, put it on a spool and thats it. worked for me for a while when I had my tyrnos full of braid

Will the spro inline swivel pass through the guides?

K

[Glenn W]

Oh you're on to it now. Some like it some hate it. For the long riggers I love my Taigra 50 NARROWS with braid and NO TOPSHOT--- leader yes, no top shot. I have zero stretch and can do some serious jigging when that wahoo, Mahi, Tuner boils and misses. Simply set the strike a bit lighter. My Tiagra 50 Narrow fully spooled with spectra 80 lb is about 825 yds. Way too much I know. The 50 narrow feels like a 30 wide but has the same guts as the 50 wide. Food for thought anyway.

[reel fishy]

You'll be fine with the braid. fill the reel up with braid. when trolling, add a little 80lb spro inline swivel , and crimpt about 75 to 100 ft of 100 lb mono (or whatever you prefer). when bottom fishing, remove the mono, put it on a spool and thats it. worked for me for a while when I had my tyrnos full of braid

Watch using a crimp and swivel if your rod came with ceramic guides.

[Kahi]

Oh you're on to it now. Some like it some hate it. For the long riggers I love my Taigra 50 NARROWS with braid and NO TOPSHOT--- leader yes, no top shot. I have zero stretch and can do some serious jigging when that wahoo, Mahi, Tuner boils and misses. Simply set the strike a bit lighter. My Tiagra 50 Narrow fully spooled with spectra 80 lb is about 825 yds. Way too much I know. The 50 narrow feels like a 30 wide but has the same guts as the 50 wide. Food for thought anyway.

Glenn:

Thanks for the info. A few more questions, if I may?

-Do you have any issues with the braid fraying at higher speeds for wahoo?
-Do you use the same rig for bottom fishing (with a Leader)?
-How do you attach your leader, bimini to leader?

Thanks for your help.

K

[Glenn W]

Glenn:

Thanks for the info. A few more questions, if I may?

-Do you have any issues with the braid fraying at higher speeds for wahoo?I fish NC. We don't discriminate--- everything is at about the same speed
-Do you use the same rig for bottom fishing (with a Leader)I don't use the Tiagra's for Bottom fishing, but the concept is the same-- I use 65 lb Power Pro on my Bottom rigs?
-How do you attach your leader, bimini to leader?I ain't as particualr as I used to be-- cause I just don't have failures with the few knots I know how to tie well. Good ole double loop uni ( through swivel twice before you make wraps) or a Bimini with an offshore swivel knot-- either way works for me. I use both SPO heavy's for wind ons and regular coast locks for non wind ons. Give her about double the wraps on both uni and bimini--- works for me..
Thanks for your help.

K

Do note however ( so you don't blame me) the max drag on the 50 narraw is the same as the 50 wide but not as much as the 50 wide LRS. Still more than enough to bring you to your knees if stand up fishing.
Oh yea. Braid is a pain in the ass until you get used to it. It will tangle if you look at it wrong in any breaze. That is only till you get used to it and then it is about as easy as mono to handle.--- well, not entirely, but very managable.

[flatbottom]

you can connect a loop to loop / braid to mono. Make the loops large enough to pass the top shot through. Buy the right glue and needles (or brown wire). Or have some one make the connection for you.