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Random Quote: BOAT....Bring Out Another Thousand!!
Having read many threads on reel choice for upgrading my kit I have decided on the Shimano TLD 25. I live in the Cayman Islands and do most of my fishing trolling and chunking for YF tuna, BF Tuna, wahoo and mahi on center consols.
I plan to rig the TLD with hi vis 30lb line straight through but have run into a bit of a blank (pardon the pun) as to what rod to go for. From a $$ point of view a combo with a TLD 25 would be perfect and I have seen a number of interesting ones at capt harrys and river marine. Does anyone know of any other combo's on offer with a TLD that look really interesting at the moment?
Would I be right in thinking a 30-50lb test outfit be just about right for my sort of fishing or would you recommend something a tad lighter, more along the 20-40lb range?
Chaos rods look great - would you reckon that the 15-30lb test stand up rods be too weak to handle the rigors of offshore trolling? I'd prefer lighter action rods if I can get away with it but no one wants a 3 hour fight with a 50lb YF tuna.
Nice choice. My TLD 25s are rigged with 40# clear Ande on 30-80 stand up Aerial Star rods. I did a lot of reseach and I'm very pleased with them. The combo's posted above are great as well.
I would think the 15-30 may be a little light for a 50 lb YFT, its been my experience that they are on the lighter side for there rating. I'd go with the 30-50, but you may want to call them directly to discuss. They also have a lifetime warranty!
15-30 will be way too light! Go with the 30-50 if you will be fishing with 30lb line. Generally speaking you want to buy a rod that's minimum rating is the line you intend to use. For example #30 line on a 30-50 would be perfect, 40 would be pushing it, and 50 would be too much. For a #30-80 you should be using 30,40, or 50lb line. Just a general rule that I go by.
Sounds like a 30-50 lb test is definitely the way to go. Its funny but most of the TLD 25's combos come with a 30-80 lb test rod and the TLD 20 seems to come with the 30-50lb test rods?
Thanks for that, now all I have to do is find the right shop stocking a suitable combo at the right price. Chaos rods look great but they don't offer a combo deal with TLD 25's and since I'm looking for a pair it'll add up quite quickly if I buy them separately. The Sceptre combo's look quite interesting while the River Marine combo (linked below) looks too good (aka cheap) to be true and makes me suspect that the rod may be lacking in some respects?
Look at the Boaters World TLD Combo's. They are selling them for $180 right now. TLD 25 on a 30-80 Outerbanks rod, I believe. These are very nice rods, not in Chaos class, but very decent. I have looked over the rods very carefully, as they go for $80. This would be the rod I would by for a TLD or Senator combo. These rods are priced like Ugly Sticks but have better components and a nice taper and flex to them.
If your deck hands and crew are going to beat them up I would get the 30 to 50 lb UGLY STICK's.
I use 40 lb pink Andy cuz the stock real has about 12 to 13 pounds max drag [ 1/3 rule ] and cuz that's what I like.
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Shimano TLD 25 combo - best option
