Reel Advice..... one more time!

[Buckwheat]

Mr. Hiatt and anyone else that would like to respond ~

I would like to get your opinion on reels for fishing offshore MHC. For the past two weeks, every time I had the opportunity to stop in, either your truck wasn't there or you were out and when I could stop, your truck was MIA. So, I figure this is the next best way...

I realize that variations of this question have been asked many times over as proven by the number of replies from the searches I did but I’m sort of hoping for a definitive response as to what’s the bomb for 30/50 lb class tackle so I can just go buy it and stop scratching my ass over it.

For the past 15 years or so, I've fished mostly light tackle (20lb or less) both inshore and offshore with a fair amount on the fly. In that time, I've been pretty much out of the loop of what's what in 30-50lb class tackle.

I did searches on your forum as well as the Rod Building/Reels & Tackle forum and damn, that’s a lot of info! Now I’m as confused as a baby in a topless bar!!

I am interested in tuna and wahoo using 30lb class and maybe one or two 50lb rigs. I’m not interested in purposefully pursuing billfish. If one should happen by, great… for as long as it’ll last. A sniper/planer is in the future. Did a search and found the info I needed for the rods… thanks to Paul708, Finrazor, Clt_Capt, BTH284 and others.

I fish a 25’CC w/outriggers and pull 5 lines, sometimes 6. Maybe soon to add a center rigger.

Best as I can tell, seems like the majority champion TLD25s. What’s hard to discern is the line. Braid or mono and what lb test? Seems to be a mixed bag as to what to spool them with. Same for the 50s and what to do for line.

Another way to look at what I’m asking is …. Based on your experience/knowledge, for a situation like mine, what would you buy for reels and what would you spool them with?

To you and all the others, thank you for all the time and info you continually contribute.

[WAHOONBOX]

AW GEEZ DUDE......

PAUL7 OR WHATEVER THE NUMBER IS ON HIS USERNAME THE ROD BUILDER IS A GREAT GUY AND ALL THAT BUT HE HAS NEVER BEEN A SPONSOR OF MINE..........YOU WENT AND TOOK THE WIND OUT OF DIS ONE DUDE

I AM PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH MIKE AND FINRAZOR RODS

FINRAZOR IS THE ONLY ROD BUILDER IN THE WORLD WHO BUILDS THE SNIPER PLANER ROD

ONCE I MENTALLY RECOVER FROM THE HORROR HERE..... I WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AFTER THE HOSPITAL HAS RELEASED ME .....

IN THE MEANTIME MAYBE SOME OTHERS GUYS WILL TAKE OVER........

[Buckwheat]

Sorry Mr H. What room number are you in, I'll stop by with a case an a Penthouse for ya!

[FinRazr]

My opinion is for what you are doing have Mike @ Finrazorrods(Not Associated)build you a set of 6'6" 50lb class rods with aftco turbo guides (no rollers)and aftco standup aluminum butts.Then buy shimano TLD 50's new style and load um up with 50-60lb mono.This set up will catch 99% of anything you will encounter.If a 800lb blue comes up you may have your work cut out.This will be light(nice for small boat standup)and very low maintanence.With this type of set up I see no need to even mess with 30's unless your just looking for whitey.

[Buckwheat]

Sounds good to me. Thanks for the input. Been fishing light tackle for so long, I kinda corkscrewed myself into the ground w/the 30-50 debate. I was thinking that 50lb class outfits would be somewhat overkill if not targeting billfish. I guess I'm thinking that way because it's been 20lb and under for so long with all mono. Thanks again.

Hope Nurse Goodbody has Marty well in hand!!!!

[DropinBack]

The 30s will be fine for your smaller tuna, but may take a little longer for your bigger ones. Id get 2 30's and 4 50's if your trolly 6 rods.

[Buckwheat]

Hey DB, Thanks for the info. What's the logic behind mixing it up 2 30s? Where would the be pulled from in the spread? Short riggers, flats??

[mrfishy]

Ive got TLD 50s and Tiagra 30s-50s on my boat, with 50-80lb diamond line. I like diamond line since it has a higher break strength and its a cool blue color. I love my TLD50s their half the price and weight-but they arent gold

[marsimi]

I am using 4 30 WLRS and 2 50 WLRS -

[Squidnation]

Buckwheat - If you are an experienced light tackle guy you really would enjoy the TLD 25's or the 2 speed TLD 30's. 95% of the fish you hook will be manageable with these reels. Too many folks outfit their rig to catch the anomoly and not the norm. This really lesssins the pure enjoyment of the battle. Most charter boats troll 50's because it is their job to catch numbers. Spending an extra 10 minutes on a fish means 10 minutes they are not in the bite trying to catch the clients their limit.

I know you didn't mention rods for therse reels but make sure you get a rod that will safely clear your outboards if that is what you have. I don't like any roller guides at all on my rods but that is just because I am lazy. If a roller guide isn't preforming perfectly then it is a detriment. I like the fuji sic guides. Make sure your eyes are big enough to allow wind-on leaders and bimini knots to pass through the top guide.

I have two planer/dredge rods. The first is a Finraz sniper and the other is a Bayrunner DFA. On the Finrazr I have a shimano Tiagra 80 with 100lb MoiMoi Diamond Backing and 200lb white dacron attached to 100ft of 130lb seagur florocarbon. There is an inline crimpless bridle system at the beginning of the floro line. On the Bayrunner DFA I have I have a INternational 80 with the exact same set up. I don't like the international on the planer rod at all. It is difficult to keep a 16 planer from creeping with the international and if you do keep it from creeping you will have a sticky drag after about 10 days of trolling. I don't like the tiagra either and will probably switch to the new avet 80 this year. The Tiagra performs great but it is way to heavy and we have to fight the fish from the rod holder. It is considerably lighter and has the same drag capabilites.