Which Shimano Reel do you really need for Swording?

[Capt'n Shane]

What size Shimano Tiagra reel do I really need for swoarding ? I see a few threads where guys on 50's are getting spooled and breaking lines and pulling hooks because they had to apply drag to keep from getting spooled. I'am makeing a 4 rod purchase next week and really would like the benefit of yalls experience with the different reel sizes. I won't say money isn't an issue but would rather get the right reels the first time. Thanks.

[Capt Ted]

If you are looking to go 50's, the shimano 50w is a great reel. I have 4 myself. However as the fish get bigger out there, more and more of us are switching over to 80's.

I would say go with the 80's now if you are using these rods dedicated for swordfishing...

Tek should be able to get you a good deal. Reelproshop

[Capt'n Shane]

They would be strictly for swording.

[Verado06]

definetely go 80's than. We have been close to being dumped even on our 80's. If you get a good standup rod, you can have fun with it.

[Capt'n Shane]

If you get a good standup rod, you can have fun with it.

What size and style rods are you guys pairing up on the 80's?

[Relentless33]

Read your PM again

[on deck]

Tiagra 50 wlrs....Great reel with lots of line capacity. Lighter than the 80's and a great drag. Just make sure to back off of the drag 100% before you set the pre-set drag.

[Flatsfish B]

2 80's and 2 50's would be a great all around purchase! All with Jerr brown somewhere on the spool! Talk to talk at reelproshop.com!

[swordfish123]

Ok,

If you are doing only standup tackle, you might want to look into the 50WLRS spooled with 130 Jerry Brown, but you will only get like 900 yards top if you go straight to the windon.

From what a lot of people have had experience with, especially lately, I would get the 80Ws. They are going to be a little heavier, so a really good harness will be very important to help stabilize that big reel. I would still spool these with JB 130 to get you something like 1350 yards. That kind of line capacity could prove very useful if the big one hits.

As far as rods, there are a few thigns you need to make SURE you get. First of all, the rod must have an aluminum butt (preferably Aftco) and I would highly recommend a short curved bent butt, espcially with the 80s as it will put that big reel in a good position for you to control the outfit in the harness.

Also, the rod should definatly have oversized roller guides- either Aftco Wind-On or Heavy Duty or I highly recommend Winthrop Roller guides. The length should be pretty short, maybe 5'6" depending on your boat etc. If you have the big guides you might want to up the rod rating to around 80 or higher as the large guides will make the rod bend more.If you have any questions- send me a PM or post on here.

Also, when do you need the rods? I build custom sword rods and would be interested in some business. Thanks.

[DORADOsteve]

Originally Posted by Flatsfish B

2 80's and 2 50's would be a great all around purchase!

Bump those 50 to wides (because of the extra line capacity) & your set.

[Beerman]

Ok guys here is a thought and a debate that I have kinda been having with Another Grand and a few others that are saying you need 80's etc etc.

First, if you have the $$$ and dont care about stand up or whatever, get 130's and 80's, Yes I also agree bigger the better in some cases, why not if your funds allow, but that case you should have 50's 80's and 130's all at your disposal.

But heres the scoop and reason I went with Tiagra 50wLRS: one the money, its was a lot cheaper than an 80, and at the time the fish for the most part a 60 +incher was pretty good fish. But the bottom line was the specs.

Heres the specs on the 50 vs. 80 Tiagra

TIAGRA

Model Line Retrieve Per Crank (High/Low in.) Line Capacity (# Test/Yards) Max Drag at Full w/ Freespool (lbs.) Max Drag at Strike w/ Freespool (lbs.) Weight Bearings High Gear Ratio Low Gear Ratio


TI50WLRSA 37/15 80/550 44.0 35.0 86.3 4 BB 3.1:1 1.3:1

TI80WA 37/19 80/950 44.0 35.0 115.2 4 BB 2.5:1 1.3:1

So the only thing different between these 2 reels is obivously line capacity, but when I spooled my 50's I backed them with hollow core and have about 1000yrds of 80 on them. Obivously the weight. and the gear ratio, but its only off by .6 between the 80 and 50 in high gear, and low is the same.

Personally if a fish takes a 1000yrds of line and I cant stop or get the boat started to chase, IMO he wins. So my arguement is that I have spiced up the 50 to pretty much an 80, my rods are pretty much 80# Crowder rods!!

But I feel the 50 is much more comfortable for the stand up fighting that I do, yes I know some just leave it in rodney and crank, but that takes teh fun out of killing an angler.....lol Any thoughts about this?

[Fuzzy Details]

Why would you get 2 of each and not 4 80's? You know the fish will hit the weakest rod out. If you think 50's are OK then get all 4 50's.

I have 2 80W's on the way. Rod selection is still up in the air.

[ritzie]

my buddy always told me not use the 50's. well we decided to bring one and look what happened. like Fuzzy said "the fish will hit the weakest rod out". We had 4 80's and 1 50 out. guess which rod the fish hit.

[Fuzzy Details]

Beerman, I dont have the experience most of you guys do but the one seamonster I hooked into Saturday ran off near 1000 yds. Since were were critical low on the spool we had the drag all the way up. I think this made our leader like a piano string and a little nick by the piont of the lower jaw or the sword made it easy to cut.

IF we had another 500 or 1000 yds at our disposal we could have had the drag looser and the leader may not have cut.

Its all theory but thats mine.

[Beerman]

Originally Posted by ritzie

my buddy always told me not use the 50's. well we decided to bring one and look what happened. like Fuzzy said "the fish will hit the weakest rod out". We had 4 80's and 1 50 out. guess which rod the fish hit.

LMAO.....but I am not talking TLD 50's.....Yes I am a firm beleiver as well they will finds the smaller reel, its happened to me many a times



Yeah Fuzzy I hear ya, but you got chasing in plenty of time I assume.....I also dont use as fast of tips as alot of people do, if there is bend in my rods you have drag on the fish. Like I said if you can afford 80's and dont mind them for stand up I am all for it, I am simply just presenting something else for him to think about...thats all

[neptune]

Beerman, you got a PM
Neptune

[Fuzzy Details]

We started motoring forward with all the lines still out. We had no time to bring them in but this was "THE FISH" so the mess didnt matter. We eventually did get them in including the Hydroglow which I think is the only reason the fish came to the surface once. We did not bring her to the surface, she cruised on up and we slowly reeled the boat towards her. If the hydroglow was still on I do not think that would have happened. Once we got within 50' she headed for the bottom again.

It happened very fast and the fish loved the bottom. We were deep, 1700', so by the time the fish got down there that was over half the spool gone and she was swimming away pulling us around and that took care of the remaining half.

We may not have caught this fish with any setup but for now its my 50's fault. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Duke]

Take the graphite house reels out of the equation. 50w Tiagra, Penn Intl, Avet or similar with 900 yards of 130# JBHC or 1200 yards of 80# (I prefer 130) and you can get drag 35, 40 or even 45#s. For standup this is max or more than max for 95% of the guys fishing. Go with 80's if you can handle them. If out of the holder and it is reinforced you can go heavier drag wise, but most guys fishing are no where near 40-45#s and if they spool you on this (900 yards+ and you are chasing them) then you would be spooled on an 80 as well. Most folks I see are using 1000 yards of 80 mono on thier 80's although some split.

[Beerman]

Neptune you have PM....

Yes Duke I totally agree with your above statement, and thats what I was semi trying to point out as well......I believe a 50 loaded up properly will get the job done. It also has alot to do with crew and angler as well IMO.

Heres another thought, with all these fast tips you guys seem to like, I don't, but do understand your thoughts, but you lose alot of "lifting" power from the rod when it just doubles over with minimal drag, just another thing to think about. I would agree you probaly do need the fast tip if you are fishing str8 braid, thats why i top shot with mono.

When the big boy is on you need to lift his ass up and the rod plays a BIG role in that :lol:

[e-money]

There is a very strong trend of folks dumping 50's & going 80's
(Keep me in mind if you have a Tiagra 50W you want to dump or trade ofr International 80 btw.)


I like my Tiagra 50W''s loaded w Momoi Diamond /preferably JB backing.
IMHO, 80's are sometimes necessary but VERY uncomfortable to fish stand up. Tiagra 80W's on long bent butts, get the job done, but you are generally restricted to fishing from rod holder. :cry:

Would be nice to have an 80lb class reel that did not weigh a ton.
(the weight of an 80W outfit puts fatigue on the angler.)

Would be nice if Shimano did something like Penn did w the 70VSW.
IE a Shimano reel in between the Tiagra 50WLRS and thge Tiagra 80W on stand up would be RAD.