WTB Jigging Reel for BFT??? !!!

[tcastric]

I fish for BFT up in the Massachusetts Bay area.

I have a 600 gram jigging rod rated for 80-200lb braid and need to pair it up with a nice reel without breaking the bank. $300 or less I suppose. The eyes are for a conventional reel however if needed I can switch to the lighter rod that is for spinners. However I like the idea of extra line capacity.

The class of fish I saw last year were mostly 65-71inch fish with giants mixed in. They are estimated to return right around the keeper size 73inches.

Reliability and Parts
Drag (strike and MAX) Ideally MAX drag in the 35lb area.
Line capacity - 80 or 100lb braid 300-500 yards...
Size - Obviously I cannot have a really small reel. Mid size I suppose...

I have been looking at different reels but have not found anything special yet. I am open to all suggestions as the only conventional reels I have are my 50's.

[silver bullet]

I will tell you that the best thing you can get in my opinion is an accurate 870 2 speed.
Somthing that may cost a little less is the Avet's. 2 speed.

[twotems]

Shimano Saragosa 18000F. Not sure if it's less than $300 but it's a great reel.

[CB Haws]

Penn Torque 300. 6.2:1 retrieve

[silver bullet]

You need to atleast look for 6 to 1 two speed reel(you may get something on a little bigger than you think).

[LI32]

The $300 price point is tough,
My choice would be a Penn Torque 300LD, but it is $500.

[tcastric]

I have not made up my mind yet and appreciate everyone's input

I am not incapable of going up and getting something better. I am just a college student with an expensive hobby. I do know that the old adage "you get what you paid for" is worth its weight in gold but at the same time I have had great luck with cheap gear.

Worst case - I get a nice spinner with high drag #'s and exchange the rod. This is starting to look like the best option as I can buy 2spinning - 1conventional.


I am thinking about an Accurate Boss 870, Shimano Tyrnos 20 or 30. However is it me or do they put out a lot less drag than the dual drag spinners on the market...

[Locke N Load]

You are going to have a real hard time finding a sub-$300 reel for this year's class of bluefin. The reel will need to be capable of 25 or more pounds of smooth drag and 400 or more yards of 80 pound spectra for capacity.

For spinners you are going to need a Stella. Sure, smaller or less expensive reels will work sometimes or if you get lucky, but they won't work many times.
For conventionals there are a few more choices: Avet HX Raptor, Accurate BX2-600, Shimano Torsa, Penn Torque, Jigging Master PE 6, even maybe the new Okuma Makaira or Cedros. None of which are close to $300. Again, some less expensive conventionals may be able to get the job done, but you will be very lucky to get a season out of them without catastrophic failure.

[Tarheel Brand]

I bought a penn trq 300 brand new for 290.00 shipped to my house. Ebay. Much higher everywhere I looked for them. If I remember right it was in the mid 4's at Bass Pro.

[luna sea II]

shimano trinidad TN40N. 33lbs of drag stock and up to 50 modified. look on ebay and 360tuna.com you can find new ones for 400 or a little less.

[SageBoy]

For the money you are looking to spend the Fin Nor Offshore 85 or 95 could be an option for you. Decent reel for the money.

[auguste]

I think that you are right in setting a budget for a reel that you can afford

I also think that the BFT are going to be tough on a $300 new reel

Suggest you look at the used reels in the for sale forum . . . some very nice almost new reels there for less money than new

Good luck in you selection

[Prop Blast]

To meet your price point and performance requirements is a tall order.

The benchmark reels for Bluefin Tuna fishing the way you're talking are the Stella or Saltiga for spinning, and a mix for conventional - Accurate's BX series, Jigging Master, and Studio Mark Blue Heaven. These reels are all serious coin.

For a fallback, take a look at picking up a used Accurate 665NC or Daiwa Saltiga 50. There are folks with deeper pockets than a college student who have the original series 665's, but now want/need the newest BX reel. They're selling for reasonable prices and you might find one for around $300 -- especially around 15 April. As mentioned above, a Trinidad 40N might also work, but it's not as strong a reel as either the Accurates or Daiwa Saltigas.

For spinning, the Saragosa 18000 will probably work. Shimano beefed up the 14000 and 18000 Sargaososa over the smaller sizes.

Finally, for jigging -- espeically fish as tough as Bluefin, you don't necessarily want a high gear ratio -- 5:1 is fine and even a little slower will make it easier to crank in a Bluefin in a vertical fight.

PB

[BACKTOTHESEA]

We use Spheros 18000, Penn 950's and FinNor 95. All under $200 and all capable for the fish up here. Many good BFT have been taken up here with these reels.

[CB Haws]

You can always get an older Penn 114 for way less then a 100bucks. That will work just fine.

[tcastric]

I had two Penn 950 combos but realized they would not be able to handle the fish this year so I sold them. I did not have trouble landing fish with these rigs. However I could definitely see failure coming after landing a 69inch fish in 15minutes and pushing that rig near its breaking point.

FinNor and Spheros are nice reels but I have seen both blow up.

I am definitely going to try and go conventional but at the same time I realize that budget is going to have to increase. If I spend that kind of money the biggest thing is I want the reel to last. i.e. I do not want to upgrade anytime soon...

[jippie98]

I asked a couple of guides the same question...pretty much all said the same thing....Penn Baja 113hn. They all said it was the best reel for the $. Might not be fancy but it has all important upgrades over a regular 113 to get the job done. I asked Alantani what he recommended and He said it was best in class. Thats how I spent my money this winter.

[fillet1]

I use the 18000 Saragosa and the Torque 200. Both are great. My friend uses one of the Fin nor spinners with great success. I had a 175lb bluefin in August on the Torque with 65 lb OTI braid and 80 flouro leader. Worked flawlessly.

[sharktripper]

Penn Torque 300 or Accurate BX-2 500 Extreme. I own both and they're awesome!

[jrzrider83]

penn baja special