Budget Fisherman

Telum Piscator · 03-05-2007, 12:49 PM

Ive caught my occassional blackfin with a mix of yellowfins in the past while dolphin fishing, however, i know i lost a BIG tuna last year in the bahamas as I got spooled. I have Penn 114h's, obviously not enough to handle the big boys.

I was looking at the Penn International 2-speed 30's and putting some braided line in them to add more yardage...

what do you guys think? recommend? minimum?
also...i plan in the near future to start swordfishing...will those reels hold up?

remember...we on a budget!

P33JP3 · 03-05-2007, 01:10 PM

what's your budget? IMO you are pushing it with that small of gear. not saying it won't work but when the BIG one comes along, it won't be enough.

shipmate bill · 03-05-2007, 01:51 PM

Although i regularly land many big tuna, makos and swords with my 30's, whenever i'm catching bigger fish OR have guys that don't regularly fish offshore, i bring out the 50w, minimum. The price difference between a 30 and a 50 isn't that much, but you gain a lot by having a 50 (more drag, more line) and you only gain a little bit of weight. You won't need it all the time and most of those times you need it you won't realize it, but there are many fish were caught by inexperienced charters on my boat because of the 50s.

Telum Piscator · 03-05-2007, 10:46 PM

thanks for the input...

also, the ratio of the 30s (3.8:1) is larger than the one of the 50s (3.1:1)
will that make much of a difference?

shipmate bill · 03-06-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telum Piscator

thanks for the input...

also, the ratio of the 30s (3.8:1) is larger than the one of the 50s (3.1:1)
will that make much of a difference?

Get on the handle, Randall!!

Crank like hell and you'll make up that .7 difference. You'll never know the difference.

The 50's with braid will kill nearly anything you'll run into. Like you said you're on a budget, don't be afraid of a little cabin rash and used reels. As long as the guts are good who cares what the outside looks like. I mean pristine would be ideal but scratched to hell with brand new guts i'd take any day.

Boboe · 03-06-2007, 11:00 PM

I would go with Shimano Tiagras over Penn Internationals every day of the week. They have smoother drag and are damn near impossible to destroy. You won't find many better reels than the Tiagras, and if I remember correctly, they're priced cheaper than the Penns.

P33JP3 · 03-07-2007, 08:36 AM

I have the Tiagra 50WLRSA and they are fantastic. the drag is very smooth and IMO better than the International.

Warrior · 03-09-2007, 07:44 AM

My 50vsIIs are great. These new penns and tiagras are both quality. 30 wides would probably be ok with backing, but you're looking at less than $100 per reel difference. 50s will get you Marlin, Swords, tunas, and anything else down there. Why bring a knife to a gunfight?

Certifiable · 03-12-2007, 09:10 AM

Stick with the 50W class reels. Spool up with 50lb line minimum. You are fishing in shark territory, get em in quick before mr. grey suit eats him for a scooby snack.

Capt. Art · 03-12-2007, 05:28 PM

Shimano TLDII 50W LRS us absolute best performer for the money.

Lightweight for ladies and smaller men or children; tough rugged construction, and plenty of capacity using braided spectra.

I have a single speed TLD 50W that is 20 years old and it still performs like new. I have caught everything from football tuna to a 450# blue marlin on that reel without a single problem.

Boboe · 03-12-2007, 08:55 PM

I've had the reel seat rip off of a TLD 50 while fighting a blue. JR (who has been very quiet lately) had the same thing happen to him last year on a swordie. Also, the TLD clicker is too quiet for my taste. You can hardly hear it, especially if you're in an enclosed wheelhouse. The Tiagra clicker is ridiculously loud. Go gold, not black!

Capt. Art · 03-13-2007, 06:32 AM

No question that the Tiagra is a better reel, but with price being a consideration, you will be able to get into the TLD 50W s with a lot less money and hold your own.

I currently use my Tiagra 50Ws for swords and the TLD's for everything else.

Telum Piscator · 03-13-2007, 10:43 PM

Thank you gents for all of the input...

03-05-2007, 12:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Telum Piscator Lines In Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami/Keys Fl Boat: 21' Seastrike-OF Best Catch: 250# Blackfin Reef Shark Occupation: Professional Babysitter/ Grad Student Posts: 14	Budget Fisherman Ive caught my occassional blackfin with a mix of yellowfins in the past while dolphin fishing, however, i know i lost a BIG tuna last year in the bahamas as I got spooled. I have Penn 114h's, obviously not enough to handle the big boys. I was looking at the Penn International 2-speed 30's and putting some braided line in them to add more yardage... what do you guys think? recommend? minimum? also...i plan in the near future to start swordfishing...will those reels hold up? remember...we on a budget! __________________ "Theres nothing like the smell of diesel in the morning!"

03-05-2007, 01:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
P33JP3 Hooked Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boca Raton Boat: 'Cin's Surf' 270 Wellcraft Coastal Best Catch: a reeeely big one Posts: 127	what's your budget? IMO you are pushing it with that small of gear. not saying it won't work but when the BIG one comes along, it won't be enough. __________________ Patrick --- There's no danger here - In clear blue water ---

03-05-2007, 10:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Telum Piscator Lines In Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami/Keys Fl Boat: 21' Seastrike-OF Best Catch: 250# Blackfin Reef Shark Occupation: Professional Babysitter/ Grad Student Posts: 14	thanks for the input... also, the ratio of the 30s (3.8:1) is larger than the one of the 50s (3.1:1) will that make much of a difference? __________________ "Theres nothing like the smell of diesel in the morning!"

03-07-2007, 08:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
P33JP3 Hooked Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boca Raton Boat: 'Cin's Surf' 270 Wellcraft Coastal Best Catch: a reeeely big one Posts: 127	I have the Tiagra 50WLRSA and they are fantastic. the drag is very smooth and IMO better than the International. __________________ Patrick --- There's no danger here - In clear blue water ---

03-12-2007, 09:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Certifiable Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vero Beach Boat: 36' Contender Best Catch: 200# Blue Marlin/1200#Black Marlin Occupation: Engineer Posts: 354	Stick with the 50W class reels. Spool up with 50lb line minimum. You are fishing in shark territory, get em in quick before mr. grey suit eats him for a scooby snack. __________________ Sig 9mm - I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6

03-05-2007, 01:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
shipmate bill Lines In Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: jersey shore Boat: which ever one i'm working on Best Catch: 800+ # bluefin followed up by a 500 10 minutes later Occupation: Merchant marine (AB) and charter boat mate Posts: 32	Although i regularly land many big tuna, makos and swords with my 30's, whenever i'm catching bigger fish OR have guys that don't regularly fish offshore, i bring out the 50w, minimum. The price difference between a 30 and a 50 isn't that much, but you gain a lot by having a 50 (more drag, more line) and you only gain a little bit of weight. You won't need it all the time and most of those times you need it you won't realize it, but there are many fish were caught by inexperienced charters on my boat because of the 50s.

03-06-2007, 11:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Boboe Hooked Up Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Occupation: Alaskan Fishing Guide, Gulf of Mexico Offshore Crew Boat Captain Posts: 805	I would go with Shimano Tiagras over Penn Internationals every day of the week. They have smoother drag and are damn near impossible to destroy. You won't find many better reels than the Tiagras, and if I remember correctly, they're priced cheaper than the Penns.

03-09-2007, 07:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Warrior Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ft.Pierce Boat: 60 Ocean SS/31 Contender Best Catch: 369# core Giant Bluefin Posts: 308	My 50vsIIs are great. These new penns and tiagras are both quality. 30 wides would probably be ok with backing, but you're looking at less than $100 per reel difference. 50s will get you Marlin, Swords, tunas, and anything else down there. Why bring a knife to a gunfight?

03-12-2007, 05:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Capt. Art Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Key West Boat: 90' Trawler Occupation: Big Game Fishing Posts: 116	Shimano TLDII 50W LRS us absolute best performer for the money. Lightweight for ladies and smaller men or children; tough rugged construction, and plenty of capacity using braided spectra. I have a single speed TLD 50W that is 20 years old and it still performs like new. I have caught everything from football tuna to a 450# blue marlin on that reel without a single problem.

03-12-2007, 08:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
Boboe Hooked Up Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Occupation: Alaskan Fishing Guide, Gulf of Mexico Offshore Crew Boat Captain Posts: 805	I've had the reel seat rip off of a TLD 50 while fighting a blue. JR (who has been very quiet lately) had the same thing happen to him last year on a swordie. Also, the TLD clicker is too quiet for my taste. You can hardly hear it, especially if you're in an enclosed wheelhouse. The Tiagra clicker is ridiculously loud. Go gold, not black!

03-13-2007, 06:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
Capt. Art Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Key West Boat: 90' Trawler Occupation: Big Game Fishing Posts: 116	No question that the Tiagra is a better reel, but with price being a consideration, you will be able to get into the TLD 50W s with a lot less money and hold your own. I currently use my Tiagra 50Ws for swords and the TLD's for everything else.

03-13-2007, 10:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
Telum Piscator Lines In Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami/Keys Fl Boat: 21' Seastrike-OF Best Catch: 250# Blackfin Reef Shark Occupation: Professional Babysitter/ Grad Student Posts: 14	Thank you gents for all of the input... __________________ "Theres nothing like the smell of diesel in the morning!"

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