*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Unless you're the lead sled dog, the view never changes!
I was just talking to a friend of mine about these reels.....He stated that with a drag swap these reels are capable of enough drag to handle Bluefin/Sharks. He was setting them up with 80lbPP with a top shot of 50lb. It is a great reel but is he really asking to much of it? What do you think?
the shimano tld 20/25 single speed reels work great up to a certain point, then graphite frame issues come to bear. i usually recommend a limit of 18 pounds of drag at strike. beyond that, i'd be concerned about the frame cracking at the base. a harness seems to increase that risk, as does a rod clamp that is bolted down too hard.
with 80 pound power pro and a 50 pound topshot, he's probably looking at a 30% strike drag setting of 15 pounds. to get that level of performance from the reel, he will have to shim and true up the drag pressure plate. he might also wish to add an additional belleville pressure washer and change the configuration of the bellevilles from "()()" to "((())". oh, and a larger handle grip would help tremendously.
The reality is TLD's or any graphite reel for that matter aren't built for high drag use. It distorts the frame which will then crack. If you really want to crank the drag up to fish a smaller reel with braid get a Penn Torque, or if you want to spend some more money for the same performance, Accurate's , Duel's, Avet's or Shimano Torsa's all will fit the bill. Otherwise, go with the tried and true Penn Internationals or Shimano Tiagras; and for shark, I like mono a lot better; although we use mono for BFT/YFT trolling too. My BFT jigging set-ups are Penn Torque 200's filled with PowerPro 65 and a wind-on leader on Shimano Trevela 6'6" rods.
Another vote for changing the handle on a TLD25, whether or not you upgrade the drag. Alan Tani's handles not only have a large grip mounted at a comfortable angle, but the arm is about 50% longer than the arm on the original issue TLD25 knuckle busters.
Would a Diawa SLD 30 be a better choice for him? I use Penn 9/0 and have no complaints but he wants to go smaller while maintaining a budget of $200 or less. THanks
We use the TLDs with High drag. We converted over to Alantanis drag system and new handles. The thing I was worried about was the twisting of the frame in the harness. I installed the GetStrapped brackets on all my TLDs and have not had any problems with the TLD25s frames.....Mark
Agree with all on the cracking the frame at high drag settings . . . not only the frame but the right side plate will break internally where the dogs are mounted - seen it myself.
but then you are still stuck with the graphite side plate.......
guys, i've gotta tell you. from the standpoint of someone that works on these reels all of the time, i really love the entire tld line of reels. i had some difficulties over the years, but i still have a full set of shimano tld 20 two speeds. i am never giving them up. i recently started cutting bearing sleeves out of thin wall brass tubing. this "blue printing" process eliminates that last little glitch in an otherwise fabulous design. the main thing is that you know the strike drag limits of these reels and not exceed them.
um, i have had nothing but trouble trying to hotrod the daiwa two speeds and will not even accept them for service anymore. for a guy on a budget, i would recommend a penn 113HL. for what it is and what it does, i still believe that the venerable 4/0-sized penn 113HL is the best value on the market. alan
__________________ eddie's brother, grady white 258 journey
Not to hijack but is there any real life difference between Penn International 50W and International II 50W as far as rigidity? I have some of both spooled with 80# PP and 80# mono top shot set at 18# strike and 26# full.
I will be giving them all the "alantani treatment" this winter. That was a classic post!
I have one of the bigger Penns...114?...use it for bottom fishing...she's heavy....tough to use all day for standup gear...maybe I should work out more.....
it really comes down to the fact that if you want to use 80lb. test then buy an 80. a TLD 25 or any other TLD is a great reel but its made the way that is because thats what it was designed for. a 25 was made for at the most 40lb. line, and like previously stated around 15 may b 18 lbs. of drag at the most. i see it all the time at the tackle store i work at ....people buy a trout combo spool it will 100 lb. braid and take it tuna fishing...then they wonder why the drag is burnt up and gone, where the teeth on the gears went and why the rod is in 4 pieces. it wasnt designed for that! but the TLD's are a great line of reel that have killed many fish and i would highly recommend them.
__________________ Capt. Pete Ferraro
"Fishin' Inferno Sport Fishing"
The penn gld 20's and 30's I have not seen the frame break (and I torture these reels side by side with tld's). They do, however, break in the right side plate where the dogs are mounted. There are two dogs, and the springs go bad, easy fix just a heads up.
I would prefer the gld's over the tld's because of the handle. I'm sure if you swap the tld handle it would be way better.
the penn kg/gld series reels are a little more tedious to work on. the stock handles are far superior to the stock tld handles. i recommend greasing the penn drag washer, a carbon fiber drag washer up grade for the single speed tld's, and bearing service for both reels. alan
__________________ eddie's brother, grady white 258 journey
i have a set of tld 25's, but with the stock handle. does anyone know a good place to order the upgrade handles? im havin some trouble finding them....
i have a set of tld 25's, but with the stock handle. does anyone know a good place to order the upgrade handles? im havin some trouble finding them....
Get them from alantani here on the forum. They are great handles for the price. Send him a PM.
TLD 25 Question? 
