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I currently have Tiagra 30WLRS spooled with 50# mono (Big Game). Am interested in getting something a bit heavier for tuna, etc. One choice would be to go to a Tiagra 50W spooled with 80# mono. Another thought is to stick with the 30W's, but use 80# braided, topped with 80# mono. I should be able to get about the same total yardage with the 30 braided combo as I can put on the 50W w/ just 80# mono. I like the idea of using the smaller, lighter 30's, as my fishing partner (wife) is small. Any ideas or comments will be greatly appreciated. Bill
Also, I am a little confused as to why some put the braided on top and others put the mono on top. My thought is to use the mono as a shock leader. Any explainations?
I wouldn't recommend anything much heavier than 50# on the 30 Tiagra. You have limitations such as the drag and the frame strength that you need to be concerned about. The 30 is a much better handling reel than the 50.
Mono is used on the spool for a couple of reasons. The first one is that most braids have a very bad tendancy to slip on the spool if they dont have any mono backing. The other reason is to use it as a filler. Many of the braids have a much smaller diameter than similarly rated mono, and will hold far more braided line than most people would ever need. The braid is also expensive compared to the mono, so just how much money are you willing to spend to fill one spool?
The mono or flourocarbon is used as top shot for a shock leader because of the tendency of the braid to have very little ability to stretch and absorb the shock of a hard hit. Hope this helps. BTW, I consider a 30 w/50 Lb line to be heavy enough for all but the Blue Fin Tuna. If you want to target these fish, you really need to be looking at 80 or 130 lb tackle anyway.
As far as using the 30WLRS instead of the 50W, are you target larger fish that drag of the 50W would be better able to handle? If not, get another 30WLRS so the wife can handle it more easily.
As far as braid and mono, you will greatly increase your line capacity with the braid. Braid is much pricier, which is one reason for combining the lines.
News Flash.. the 30WLRS... has the 50W drags so its basically a 30 that fishes like 50...
I spool my 30WLRS's with 50# Momoi Diamond.. which as nearly 80#s of breaking strength.. sets the drags about one pound shy of what I would on a 50... and press on.....
The 30LRS doesn't really have the drags of the 50 in it. It has a steeper cam allowing more drag. In fact it's an entirely different drag system. The 50 use the hydro therm drag system and have bigger washer and more surface area.
The 30LRS can fish 80lb line. It'll get 25-28lbs of drag at strike which is enough to fish 80lb. The problem will be line capacity on the 80lb mono topshot.
If you troll with it you want a longer 200 yard or so topshot of mono. I'd stick with 60lb mono for capacity reasons. If it's bait/chunking set up you can go with a shorter 80lb mono topshot of a hundred yards or so.
Shimano says they'll get 28lbs at strike and still have free spool. That's probably a little generous but they'll easily get in the low 20's at strike and still get decent free spool. About the same as the Penn 30 VSW's before the drag enhancement kit.
I like at least 200 yards of mono for trolling rods for more shock absorbtion. Gives me plenty of cushion for the intial strike and to let the boat continue to troll for a few seconds to try for a double. Gets you through that first run.
I'll go shorter on smaller chunking reels.
That's just my preference though, nothing is set in stone.
Thanks for everyone's input. I think that I can get 300yds. of braid w/ 300yds of mono on top. (both 80#). Would make a good trolling rig or chunkin to that big tuna. Based on Shimano's own specs., there just doesn't seem to be that much difference in the drag #'s until you get to the 80 + 130. Thanks again!
Reel size vs Line size 
