light tackle question

[weekender]

With tackle on the light side, let's say TLD 20-25, and using them for meat fishing, are two speed reels worth the extra money? Do you use the two speed function a lot or very little? What size/length rods would best match these size reels?

[tunatamer4]

If your using light tackle, isn't it more of a finess fight rather than a put the heat to him fight?

I'd save the extra cash for rigs rather than spend it on a two speed. JMO

[lazyfatass247]

Two speed is a nice feature to have. resale in the future.

[Reelscreamer]

I am with tunatamer! Finess is the key to light tackle fishing not just musclin the fish to the boat! The fight is the best part of the batte! That is my 2 cents worth!

Good luck fishing
Jeremy

[Jared D]

I also say light tackle is about finesse. You likely wont need the low gear with light tackle, as your rod work should be able to coax the fish up.

Low gear comes into play when your putting the coals to the fish and need to gain line in an otherwise stalemate. I use low gear when big game fishing but rarely. If something is being stubborn down deep, then I may switch gears, but 99.9% time I am using the higher speed.

[weekender]

thanks for the replies/input

[jrlsail]

With tackle on the light side, let's say TLD 20-25, and using them for meat fishing, are two speed reels worth the extra money? Do you use the two speed function a lot or very little? What size/length rods would best match these size reels?

That question needs to be followed with two others. What type of boat and what is a typical day of fishing? I typically see the TLD20 a better match for a 7' that could be used for live baiting, etc., but still support an average troll date for dolphin,blackfin and small wahoo. If trolling only, go to the TLD-25 on a 30/50 6' rod. If you are fishing in a place like South Florida where the wahoo are 30#, tuna are 25# and the marlin are rarely over 150#, TDL-25s are good. Going to 2-speed is great upgrade for two reels if you wahoo fish or sword, but the weight is tough on the average angler without a fighting chair or belt.

[Foul Hook'd]

One of the best upgrades you can do to a TLD25, add a Tiburon handle. The original short handle hurts you with a big fish, the longer Tiburon handle lets you really put some heat on a fish, probally more than a 2 speed! 30-50lb. 6'6 rod is also a good match

Foul Hook'd

[Squid]

One of the best upgrades you can do to a TLD25, add a Tiburon handle. The original short handle hurts you with a big fish, the longer Tiburon handle lets you really put some heat on a fish, probally more than a 2 speed! 30-50lb. 6'6 rod is also a good match

Foul Hook'd

There is also another option for this: The handles out of the single speed Shimano Tyrnos reels will also interchange with the single speed TLD's. Either way though, your reel will feel a LOT better with a new handle. The Tyrnos handles are available straight through Shimano. The handle from the Tyrnos 12/16 will be the one you want. (I made a thread on this a little while back.) Be careful not to put too much drag on these reels as they weren't intended for heavy drag fishing. Keep it under 15 lbs and everything will be fine.

Back to your original question---the single speed models are all you need. I very rarely use the low speed even in my Tiagra 30WLRSA's. For meat fishing, go with a 5'6"-6'0" rod in the 15-30 or 20-40 line class. These rods sound light but they will handle most anything you'll encounter with the TLD 20/25. (I used the exact same setup for years for light gulfstream trolling.) You don't need a telephone pole for these fish. In fact the lighter tip and more action will help to decrease the amount of pulled hooks on fish since the lighter tip will absorb a lot of pressure from the fish. With only 10-13 lbs of drag, you'll never break a rod and the lighter setup will not only be easier to hold, but it will also be more fun fighting the fish.

[weekender]

thanks again all for taking the time to help me understand what I need, I'll mostly be fishing a 23' CC with twins on a bracket so I think I'll go with the 6'6" to help with reaching over the motors.