Reel Question!

[1981mako25]

I have been transitioning from snapper fishing to more Tuna / Amberjack / Dolphin fishing. All my friends buy reels with an open checkbook, so I am used to using awesome gear on their boats. I don't spend as much as them, but I need good enough gear to get the job done. I am going to buy two AVET Pro Ex 30 reels for pretty serious tuna fishing. I am also buying two Cabo 80's for AJ's and lighter tuna fishing. What I need are two more good reels to use for Amberjack and pretty good size Tuna so I have at least four decent tuna setups. What is the best bang for the buck with cheaper model reels? Do you think two TLD 30's could handle the task? What similar reel would be better suited for yf tuna?

[mattmuttsmithx]

Shimano Tynros.

Enough Said.

[LI32]

If I were willing to spend $300 for TLD-30's, I'd spend $400 and get Penn 30 VSW's instead. The aluminum frames will hold up much better than the graphite Shimano's, especially with higher drags setting. I assume you mean for trolling. If it were just for bait fishing, I'd probably go with Penn 16 VSX's spooled with 50 lb braid and a 50 yard top shot of 50 lb mono - they are quite a bit lighter, and while braid doesn't work well for trolling, it is great for bait or jig fishing.

[jeffro22]

Agree with LI32, Get an alluminum framed reel. You can find a used penn 30 or 50 VSW or find a used Shimano Tiagra.

[Prop Blast]

mako25,

Need some more info before good recommendations can be given.

Please define what you mean when you say, "pretty serious tuna fishing." Does that mean 30-60lbs schooling YFT off the mid-Atlantic or 200+lbs YFT? Or is it Bluefin Tuna off the northeast?

How are you going to fish for them? Trolling? Chunking at anchor? Jigging?

What class line are you going to use on each reel? Mono or braid?

What's your budget per reel (including line -- braid 600yds of 80lbs braid gets expensive ).

If you keep the drag settings at strike reasonable, i.e. 15-20lbs, the TLD 2-speeds are fine. If you're going to spool the reels with 80-100lbs braid and push 30lbs of drag -- then no, save your $$ for the Avet Pro 30 or better yet, a tweaked Penn International 30S or SW set up to fish 50lbs.

PB

[cowdogs]

Why buy TLD 30s or Penn 30s when you have Avet 30s? Get more Avet 30s if you want more 30s, or if you want something lighter get a Avet HX. A cheaper reel than the HX is a Penn Baja 113.

[1981mako25]

Originally Posted by Prop Blast

mako25,
Please define what you mean when you say, "pretty serious tuna fishing." Does that mean 30-60lbs schooling YFT off the mid-Atlantic or 200+lbs YFT? Or is it Bluefin Tuna off the northeast?

How are you going to fish for them? Trolling? Chunking at anchor? Jigging?

What class line are you going to use on each reel? Mono or braid?

What's your budget per reel (including line -- braid 600yds of 80lbs braid gets expensive ).

If you keep the drag settings at strike reasonable, i.e. 15-20lbs, the TLD 2-speeds are fine. If you're going to spool the reels with 80-100lbs braid and push 30lbs of drag -- then no, save your $$ for the Avet Pro 30 or better yet, a tweaked Penn International 30S or SW set up to fish 50lbs.

PB

I am talking about fishing Venice, LA and Pensacola, FL. When I am talking about "pretty serious" I am talking about YF tuna 100 pounds or less. I've never caught a 200 lb YF, but I consider them "serious" and plan on it with the Avet's! I will use the Cabo 80's for jigging smaller YF < 50lb.

My fishing habits:
I mostly jig, live bait, and chunk for them since they hold on top of structure in our area. I don't want to spend a fortune, so I need versatile equipment.

During the summer I fish for Snapper/Aj's/Dolphin/Grouper. In the spring and fall I fish flats for specks and reds. During the winter I get my boats in ship shape and take about three Tuna trips off Venice, LA. I also go to Marathon for the mini-lobster season and fish the hump for a few days.

A TLD 25 isn't quite big enough for what I want to do. I was looking for something similar, but better.

I am getting the Cabo 80's for 200 dollars each. I am getting the AVET pro ex 30's for 450 each. That only leaves me 600 (and that's pushing it) for another set of reels. I know that isn't much to spend on good tuna reels, but I am hoping there is something that I can get by with on big tuna and use for snapper/AJ's the rest of the year.

Those Shimano Tynros and Avet HX's are extremely appealing to me right now. They look light enough to be practical for snapper/AJ, but will they hold up to 50-100 lb yf? Do you think you could also use them for some trolling (not a huge deal to me)?

Basically I need a reel that can do everything for less than 300, which probably isn't possible!

I can't afford two Penn 16 VSX or Tiagra's right now.

[pcww]

You might want to rethink the Quantum cabo 80s...a bunch of people have reported problems with that particular size quantum reel. The Shimano Saragosa and Spheros FB are similary priced and a little more durable.

[aquatherapy245]

If your not trolling I would say Shimano Torium 50 with 80 lb Stren super braid and about 100 ft of Ande pink 50 lb topshot. The torium 50 is about $230 and should handle the YFT just fine.

[LuckyLady1]

I agree with the recommendations on the Tyrnos(lever drag) and Torium(star drag) for general purpose fishing as you described. Good Luck!!

[Tightlines72]

I'd never argue against a Tyrnos!

[FISHUNT7]

I haven't got into trolling or tuna fishing YET, but I have two Tyrnos snapper/grouper setups that are my favorites. I have picked up a couple of Kings and Amberjack on a drift line with those setups and they have performed well for everything. I really like them. Sent you a PM also.

[Greg Manning]

Never a problem with a Cabo 80.

Consider looking for the "factory seconds" Avets on E-Bay. Same warranty from authorized dealers and will only have slight color mismatchings. I bought Avet 50 wides for $480 3 weeks ago.

[daddy0]

Look around for some used Trinadad 40's far better than the torium and finding a few w/some boat rash will be about the sme $$$ , The tinidad is a bit narrower than the torium 50 I have landed many yellow fin and bluefin tuna in the low 100's and have never been disapointed . Also, I often use it in place of the penn 4/0 , I have the Penn Baha and they are really great ,new for about $175 each and they would be my choice over the TLD 25 or TLD 30 ,