Overloading 50VSWs

[chumtini]

I upgraded all my reels to 50VSWs last winter/spring. They're loaded with 80# spectra backing to 80# mono. Drags are set at 20# strike, 25# max. Free spool is no problem, 0 drag. The reels still have the standard drag washers and have performed flawlessly with small 120-130# bluefin. But they haven't been pushed to the limits. I haven't even seen the backing yet. Thought I'd ask if others have upgraded to the "performance" washers and see where this goes. Thanks.
Steve.

[Dobie1966]

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/...bly-16454.html Try this Chum....hope it helps.Found it in rods,reels,jigging.Also saw a few other similar posts specifically discussing the upgrades.

[merry marlin]

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/...bly-16454.html Try this Chum....hope it helps.Found it in rods,reels,jigging.Also saw a few other similar posts specifically discussing the upgrades.

Quite awesome these disassembly descriptions... Thanks for sharing!

Dobie, I put some serious heat to some 50 TW's on big marlins in Africa several seasons without changing the washers and it will take a while before you burn it on bluefins with the drags you describe. Never locked one up with rushes to the end of the spool...
MM

[fmoore]

Chum, never caught a fish on them but fwiw I have the HD washers on my 30's (aka 50 washers) They came with the reels. I set them for 20 pounds at strike and get 30 at full with perfect freespool. As I said, I've never caught a fish with these reels so this isn't much help.

[backman]

my old 50SW's are loaded with ~500 yards of 130 Jerry Brown and ~150-200 topshot of 100# test. I used to go 80 over 80 but broke off a good blue marlin 500 yards out to to increased line drag.

We have caught tuna to 380# on 50SW's with 80 over 80; this year my biggest was probably 250 or so, on the 100 over 30.

I run 22-24# strike and go to 30#+ on full using the old washers.

We also have done fine with a ~300# blue marlin and a 69" bigeye on standard 30's, drag at 20# strike, perhaps 25+ at full using 80# mono over 80# line. No washer upgrade either though the one with the blue marlin needs a new drag plate this winter.

Friends of mine have landed larger tuna with standard 50's also - I see no great reason to go with those washers unless your seriously targetting giants this fall. IN which case break out a 70 or 80

[striper swiper]

Look up Alantani on the hull truth or here and learn how to grease the washer properly when it wears out replace it with an upgrade Don't go getting an upgrade just to spend some money If you grease it it will be as smooth as can be If not as it wears it will get sticky on heavier settings

[chumtini]

I see no great reason to go with those washers unless your seriously targetting giants this fall. IN which case break out a 70 or 80

You read my mind. I ebay'd the 80s (and several others) last winter to help finance the new set of reels. I'm not a rich man and my wife already dug a shallow grave in the backyard and giving me the "eye" I figure 700+ yds of 80# on the new 50s can get 'er done. Let me broaden my question....what recs do you have for setting these up?

Thanks for all the feedback. Larry, that's exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for. And that previous post rocks Dobie. Good find.

[Dobie1966]

Thanks Chum,don't mention it.Just trying to help a brotha out

[getreel]

I fish 50VSW and 30VSW without upgraded drags. I spool the 50s with 80# and the 30s with 50# of yozuri hybrid and get about 525 yards on each. I did have a 50 get spooled once, however, I don’t think another 500 yards would have made a difference. I never saw the fish and it never stopped once. There was whale shark feeding in Atlantis and I trolled around it and got a three banger of quality YFT. Started clearing lines and then the long rigger with a rainbow spreader bar gets nailed and the fish heads for the bottom. I could not maneuver around with the other fish on and had no chance of stopping this fish (and no it wasn’t the whale shark). We were spooled in minutes. I put a scale to check the drag setting after and it was correctly set to 22#’s at strike. I still can’t believe it!

I had a bigeye this year in deep water that got us into half the spool a couple of times, but at no point did I feel we were in danger of getting spooled. I see no need to upgrade drags until it is time to replace them. Also, I have not converted over to the hollow core/ top shot yet. Not convinced I need to and it is a expensive investment.

[Fighting Irish45]

I upgraded all my reels to 50VSWs last winter/spring. They're loaded with 80# spectra backing to 80# mono. Drags are set at 20# strike, 25# max. Free spool is no problem, 0 drag. The reels still have the standard drag washers and have performed flawlessly with small 120-130# bluefin. But they haven't been pushed to the limits. I haven't even seen the backing yet. Thought I'd ask if others have upgraded to the "performance" washers and see where this goes. Thanks.
Steve.

How much spectra and how much mono do you have? Is the 80# spectra pretty thin? I used Dacron on mine (First time doing braid and mono together) and the 80 lbs is thick! Bad move on my part but it was my first time experimenting so im giving myself a pass.

I did seethe backing once this season when a big Blue Marlin came up in the Baltimore and made my 50 international look like a baby's toy in about 20 sec.