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Random Quote: You want my best,unbiased,educated opinion? .... I have no idea.
Hi people, I am looking for help making up my mind. I currently cast to tuna using a Penn 113 baja special (favorite all around reel, 65#spectra with 80# mono topshot). After casting with friend's Stella and Accurate spinning reel on custom rods (both reels are very impressive) I would like to add a tuna spinning set up to my arsenal but at a lower price point.
I am looking at the following reels, the Quantum Cabo 80 and Bocca80, Shimano Spherros and Saragosa, Penn 950 SSM and the big Fin Nor Offshore reel. I am sure some of you have experience with these reels and others on tuna and other large fish and will share your opinions. I plan to mount the reel on a Shimano TVS 6'6" MH (50-100#) rod. Thanks
The Fin Nor's seem to be getting a good following, great line capasity, and really smooth with a good price break. A few things i have heard about them is they get smoother the more they are used and they are a bit bigger (Heavier) then the compitition.
What ever you deside on, the BFT on the cape this coming season are really going to test the gear and ability of the casting and wipstick crowd..
I have a few of the Trevala's you mentioned myself and if the same class fish show up I'm not sure if it will be enough rod. May have to think about a different stick to go with your reel. I sure am. I currently have the OS 70 and love it. It does seem a little heavier then the Cabo but for the money it's a great reel. Besides...you probably won't be casting it constantly all day. It has yet to be tested on Tuna but does well on bass.
I think the feeling is , it will be last years class returning bigger and meaner.
If you are on the fish you don't need to worry about your arm getting tired from casting. You will need to worry about the drag locking up on you. Jeff was whipping these 60" fish last year in under 25 minutes with the Fin-nor
Stellas aren't overated-they are expensive and probably the best choice-
We have had good luck with sargosa-which is the better pricepoint.
Cabo makes a nice real-took many fish on 60's 2 years ago....
I would by the best you can afford in the following order stella, sargosa, spheros
YMMV
hoping they are bigger and nastier!
Stellas aren't overated-they are expensive and probably the best choice-
We have had good luck with sargosa-which is the better pricepoint.
Cabo makes a nice real-took many fish on 60's 2 years ago....
I would by the best you can afford in the following order stella, sargosa, spheros
YMMV
hoping they are bigger and nastier!
Had one fail on me last year, for what they cost they should not fail, in my opinion they are definetly not 4X better than the Cabo or any of the other reels in that price range.
The Penn CV800 isnt up to much, from my experience anyway, but then, look at its price. I'd stear well clear of it. If money isnt an issue, then go with the Stella. My groups not had any problems with a Stella yet, and as is often the case in life 'You get what you pay for'.
__________________ --
Harold Webster
"Somethings a bit fishy".
Any reel can fail especially when dealing with fish this large. Proper techinique is most important. If you try and use the reel as a winch..in time it will fail I dont care what brand it is. In my first season I caught 8 fish (48" class) on a Spheros 14000 before I needed to change out the drags and I still have that reel on board. Learn how to work a fish and most of the reels mentioned will do the job. Tight Lines
I know alot of people dont want to shell out the $$ for the more expensive reels, but in my opinion, they are worth it! I use the Japanese Stella 10000 and the Daiwa Dog Fight on custom rods, both reels are rated for #50+ pounds of drag. If your gonna catch a couple fish per season on a reel it wont matter. If your gonna catch 10,20, 30 a season, then you mite need to rethink your tackle requirements!! Im guessing your looking to catch a couple fish next year?
I was just talking this morning with a guy who has landed several 140 pound fish on the Shimano Spheros 14000. Most of the other guys I know are using the Penn 9500. I don't get out for school bluefin that often but when I do I use an Okuma Eclipz EZ-90.
I know alot of people dont want to shell out the $$ for the more expensive reels, but in my opinion, they are worth it! I use the Japanese Stella 10000 and the Daiwa Dog Fight on custom rods, both reels are rated for #50+ pounds of drag. If your gonna catch a couple fish per season on a reel it wont matter. If your gonna catch 10,20, 30 a season, then you mite need to rethink your tackle requirements!! Im guessing your looking to catch a couple fish next year?
What do you set the drag at for BFT?
When the Stella I was using failed the drag was set at 12lbs, it was a 18000 btw.
I have 3 Shimano Saragosa's and 2 Shimano Thunnus spinning reels and the rods for all 5 are G. Loomis "Bucara's" I love this set up. The Thunnus are 3 years old...and the Saragosa's were bought last year...
Mark
__________________ 2660 Sailfish CC.
F150's, Furuno Electonics www.ShannonSea.com
Spinning gear for Stellwagen tuna 
