AN ALL AROUND OFFSHORE REEL?

CHICKENCHASER

WHAT IS AN ALL AROUND OFFSHORE REEL?

ONE THAT CAN THROW TUNA POPPERS AND HANDLE A 80-100 TUNA AND EVERY OTHER KIND OF OFFSHORE TABLEFARE.

IM NEW TO THE OFFSHORE FISHING BUT I WANT TO GET INTO IT.

tdwcapt · 01-02-2008, 12:15 PM

Okay, I know this is a fairly old thread, but I'm new here and wanted to add something.

If you're looking for a reel that won't break the bank, but can serve in an all around offshore application, do not over look the Penn Baja Special

Please keep in mind that I am not a big fan of Penn Senators for the most part. So I was a little leary of this reel when my wife bought it for me.

This is nothing more than what the west coast guys call a Yellowtail Special. However, I believe it is a size smaller than the 4/0 that most YTS start life as. When I went to work offshore in the GOM, I took my Baja Special with me. At the time, I figured if I had to blow up a reel, it may as well be this one - I was treating it like a second string player. At the outset I was worried about its speed and strength. However, my second cast with a barbie raider 125 put those fears to rest when a 70lb hoo inhaled the jig! Luckily I had loaded it with about 400 yrds of 65lb spectra and a shot of 40lb mono. I always fish my drags very tight when fishing the iron and found the Baja Special was up to the task. Unlike most senators, this reel was silky smooth on that first run. The spool didn't slip and it was not jerky when the fish was straight up and down.

Since then I've beat this reel to death on just about everything that would test it. And it is still the reel I put in my bag when I go back to work. I love the Trinidads but this is the blue collar working man's reel. Give it a shot. It doesn't cost a lot, so if you don't like it that much, you'll have a good back up.

SkeeterRonnie · 01-02-2008, 03:18 PM

stella 20000fa...

BretABaker · 01-02-2008, 03:35 PM

the above 2 posts highlight what is missing in this question: price range. How much are we talking about spending? If it is unlimited, then the answer is very different than if it is <300, <400, etc.

tdwcapt · 01-02-2008, 04:51 PM

You can buy a Baja Special for $175-$200. I think FTU has a special on them right now.

hatidua · 01-02-2008, 07:55 PM

As others have probably mentioned, I don't think one reel can do all the prescribed tasks equally well. For tossing poppers, the Stella/Saltiga/Twinspin spinning reels probably have an edge over any conventional reel. For jigging, the Baja Special/Saltiga/Saltist/Torsa/Boss/Trinidad Narrow Special/Ocea Jigger/Torque reels would all work pretty well. For dragging lures/baits, the Tiagra/ATD Platinum/Penn V-series/Alutecnos reels all get the job done.

I'm decidedly NOT an Avet fan for any of the above tasks in spite of owning a series of Avet reels on multiple occasions: I just can't get past the extreme side-load on them when any significant amount of drag is applied. Probably just me though, some people really like them.

I've never really done moderation well...

thenewkid · 01-02-2008, 08:06 PM

damn all u rich people way to make me feel broker than broke i think the things on that table are worth more than my hosue and all the shyt in it wow good thing for inherdence money and a good IQ score man i hope i can wind up with a collection somewhere along the lines of that

wakerider1424 · 01-02-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanker

Ive already pre-paid for mine, I plan on using it for jigging, and also having a trolling rod for it to make it my all-round reel, I may even use it from the surf on my surf rod w/ yakking out baits.

Got anymore info? I cant believe I spent 400 dollars on something I havnt touched yet.

Any info on Magging one?

i got one for christmas

ksong · 01-02-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatidua

As others have probably mentioned, I don't think one reel can do all the prescribed tasks equally well. For tossing poppers, the Stella/Saltiga/Twinspin spinning reels probably have an edge over any conventional reel. For jigging, the Baja Special/Saltiga/Saltist/Torsa/Boss/Trinidad Narrow Special/Ocea Jigger/Torque reels would all work pretty well. For dragging lures/baits, the Tiagra/ATD Platinum/Penn V-series/Alutecnos reels all get the job done.

I'm decidedly NOT an Avet fan for any of the above tasks in spite of owning a series of Avet reels on multiple occasions: I just can't get past the extreme side-load on them when any significant amount of drag is applied. Probably just me though, some people really like them.

I've never really done moderation well...

Mark, nice collection of reels.

I found four of my tuna jigging reels were missing all year in 2007, but I couldn't notice until recently.

Reels are toys for fishermen and you can not satisfy with only one reel.

STx Fisherman · 01-02-2008, 10:25 PM

We all have tackle addictions !!

fishr1989 · 01-03-2008, 05:54 PM

what about the HOO-X? a little more expensive than the LX but it's already a 2-speed and holds plenty of line

01-02-2008, 03:18 PM	#22 (permalink)
SkeeterRonnie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,310	stella 20000fa... __________________ www.ronniemanningfishing.weebly.com

01-02-2008, 08:06 PM	#26 (permalink)
thenewkid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ct Posts: 259	damn all u rich people way to make me feel broker than broke i think the things on that table are worth more than my hosue and all the shyt in it wow good thing for inherdence money and a good IQ score man i hope i can wind up with a collection somewhere along the lines of that __________________ ~Tony~ You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on. A man's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another drink.

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01-02-2008, 12:15 PM	#21 (permalink)
tdwcapt Junior member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 28	Okay, I know this is a fairly old thread, but I'm new here and wanted to add something. If you're looking for a reel that won't break the bank, but can serve in an all around offshore application, do not over look the Penn Baja Special Please keep in mind that I am not a big fan of Penn Senators for the most part. So I was a little leary of this reel when my wife bought it for me. This is nothing more than what the west coast guys call a Yellowtail Special. However, I believe it is a size smaller than the 4/0 that most YTS start life as. When I went to work offshore in the GOM, I took my Baja Special with me. At the time, I figured if I had to blow up a reel, it may as well be this one - I was treating it like a second string player. At the outset I was worried about its speed and strength. However, my second cast with a barbie raider 125 put those fears to rest when a 70lb hoo inhaled the jig! Luckily I had loaded it with about 400 yrds of 65lb spectra and a shot of 40lb mono. I always fish my drags very tight when fishing the iron and found the Baja Special was up to the task. Unlike most senators, this reel was silky smooth on that first run. The spool didn't slip and it was not jerky when the fish was straight up and down. Since then I've beat this reel to death on just about everything that would test it. And it is still the reel I put in my bag when I go back to work. I love the Trinidads but this is the blue collar working man's reel. Give it a shot. It doesn't cost a lot, so if you don't like it that much, you'll have a good back up.

01-02-2008, 03:35 PM	#23 (permalink)
BretABaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 1,490	the above 2 posts highlight what is missing in this question: price range. How much are we talking about spending? If it is unlimited, then the answer is very different than if it is <300, <400, etc.

01-02-2008, 04:51 PM	#24 (permalink)
tdwcapt Junior member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 28	You can buy a Baja Special for $175-$200. I think FTU has a special on them right now.

01-02-2008, 07:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
hatidua Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: various Posts: 203	As others have probably mentioned, I don't think one reel can do all the prescribed tasks equally well. For tossing poppers, the Stella/Saltiga/Twinspin spinning reels probably have an edge over any conventional reel. For jigging, the Baja Special/Saltiga/Saltist/Torsa/Boss/Trinidad Narrow Special/Ocea Jigger/Torque reels would all work pretty well. For dragging lures/baits, the Tiagra/ATD Platinum/Penn V-series/Alutecnos reels all get the job done. I'm decidedly NOT an Avet fan for any of the above tasks in spite of owning a series of Avet reels on multiple occasions: I just can't get past the extreme side-load on them when any significant amount of drag is applied. Probably just me though, some people really like them. I've never really done moderation well...

01-02-2008, 10:25 PM	#29 (permalink)
STx Fisherman Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 643	We all have tackle addictions !!

01-03-2008, 05:54 PM	#30 (permalink)
fishr1989 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Newport, RI Posts: 361	what about the HOO-X? a little more expensive than the LX but it's already a 2-speed and holds plenty of line

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