Good Spinning for Schoolies

SpecialK

Trying to decide whether I should buy a new spinner for the January Tuna Trip.
Currently using an Okuma Epixor EB80.
Will this reel handle YFT at all?
Really thinking of getting into a Penn 950/9500. Any opinions of both would be great!
Even a some uprgrades to my reel would work???
Otherwise I basically need a rig that will do the trick!

MrBill · 10-22-2007, 05:10 PM

Good luck. Not to burst your bubble, but a $65 okuma spinner will blow up on the first fish. In fact, I don't think it could withstand the initial run of a decent size YF. Since you already own it, might as well give it a try. I'm a gambling man, and would like to place a bet on this reel getting a tuna to the gaff. Any takers?

Don't waste your money on a Penn 9500 either. They just aren't designed to handle YF's. It might bring in one or two before it explodes on you. If you don't fish for tuna very often, see if you can borrow a reel from somebody. You might want to consider a conventional reel. If you don't want to spend 600+ on a good spinning reel, just buy a Penn senator. It won't cost much and should do the job.

SpecialK · 10-22-2007, 05:45 PM

Well I don't mind getting into a more expensive reel. Just wanted to know if there was anything out there in the 200-400 range that would do the job. I guess I got ripped by cabellas, the Okuma ran about 115 after tax a few months back...haha

What do you think the good options are??? I haveread about the cabo 80 also, is it crap?

I have looked at the VS' before but didnt really think there could bethat much difference.

The senator doesnt cast that well and that is what I want the reel for, topwater.

I have a Shimano TLD 30 for jigging/chunking with.

SpecialK · 10-22-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBill

I'm a gambling man, and would like to place a bet on this reel getting a tuna to the gaff. Any takers?

Are you going to be on the trip?
IF so we might get to see what happens with it, IF Cabellas won't take it back. I'd be willing to waste the braid to find out what happens...haha
If you are not going and I get to try it out I will let you knwo the outcome!

TeamOso · 10-22-2007, 05:55 PM

spheros 14000.....

fish on · 10-22-2007, 07:10 PM

special k i think u should get a fin-nor ofs 9500 leagues ahead of the penn and the spheros.Personally i was a shimano man until i tried to service my spheros and the bail broke,the drag was even worse as i couldnt get into the spool as the srews rounded when trying to pull.frankly if u ask me too many parts to pull on a spinner the fin-nor is way simpler and stronger.ps caught 60lbwahoo and 80lb yft

with ease on a fin-nor ofs set-up with a fin-nor 50lb class rod.:

shanker · 10-22-2007, 07:36 PM

here is what happened to my Fin-Nor OFS95 on a barely keeper AJ, Fin-Nor said that they had a problem with early models and the thickness of the gear, but my advice to you SpecialK, after trying to do the same thing you are doing (buying a cheap spinner) get a TwinSpin, Stella, or Saltiga and you'll have a reel that will last you a lifetime and your grandchilden will more than likely be fishing with it.

Fin Nor OFS95 - The Breaking Point

SpecialK · 10-22-2007, 08:23 PM

I read through your post. Thats rough! So did Fin-Nor say thatall of the new ones are problem solved or are these faulty gear floating around in the stores still?

Uncle Russ · 10-22-2007, 08:28 PM

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Mr. Bill, although I don't pretend to have his experience. I do have several premium reels (which I have not tested well myself, yet) and an Epixor (actually a Cabelas Salt Striker 80 which is the exact same reel). I bought this reel before getting back into offshore and used it as a jetty reel with 30 pound mono for revenge on big Jacks and Bull Reds in heavy current. It did fine on the reds for the most part, but something happened to the drag (no idea what--it just quit dragging and I couldn't lock it down during the fight) while I was fighting a huge jack. I had at least 250 yards of line on it (it's tempting to think it's strong because it has a huge spool) and got nearly spooled the first time. I managed to get line back but with no working drag and a fish I had to allow to rest, it spooled me the second time around, running down-current. I estimate it was either a state record bull red or (more likely

) a 30 pound or so jack crevalle. Now I have landed three yellowfin and a jack ain't no yellowfin.) I'm trying to translate what I felt with a 75 pounder on an ATD 50 wide to that Epixor. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

Cabelas will definitely take it back, even without a receipt. If you are not going to have a big 2-speed with you, buy a Stella 20,000 or an Accurate SR30. Use the money from the Cabelas refund to buy a really good line.

Russ

SpecialK · 10-22-2007, 08:39 PM

Uncle Russ
I am confused with that post? I don't own a 2 speed but I also don't know of one that would replace(even close) the castabilty of a spinning. I have caught many fish including bft's, kings, and successfully landed a 70-80# 5ft. blacktip. But thats no YFT either...

Shanker, I don't see a Saltiga with the amount of line capacity I would think it takes to be sure about a sizeable YFT. AM I missing something.

MR Bill
HAHA I did do someother research on the reels. I should learn to do more research before buying. Everything I can find says these things are better off given away before you waste more money in line...
I'll find something that will do the trick.

10-22-2007, 05:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
TeamOso Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Corpus/Pt A Posts: 455	spheros 14000..... __________________ www.teamoso.com

10-22-2007, 08:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Uncle Russ Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,075	Unfortunately, I have to agree with Mr. Bill, although I don't pretend to have his experience. I do have several premium reels (which I have not tested well myself, yet) and an Epixor (actually a Cabelas Salt Striker 80 which is the exact same reel). I bought this reel before getting back into offshore and used it as a jetty reel with 30 pound mono for revenge on big Jacks and Bull Reds in heavy current. It did fine on the reds for the most part, but something happened to the drag (no idea what--it just quit dragging and I couldn't lock it down during the fight) while I was fighting a huge jack. I had at least 250 yards of line on it (it's tempting to think it's strong because it has a huge spool) and got nearly spooled the first time. I managed to get line back but with no working drag and a fish I had to allow to rest, it spooled me the second time around, running down-current. I estimate it was either a state record bull red or (more likely ) a 30 pound or so jack crevalle. Now I have landed three yellowfin and a jack ain't no yellowfin.) I'm trying to translate what I felt with a 75 pounder on an ATD 50 wide to that Epixor. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid. Cabelas will definitely take it back, even without a receipt. If you are not going to have a big 2-speed with you, buy a Stella 20,000 or an Accurate SR30. Use the money from the Cabelas refund to buy a really good line. Russ __________________ "Tschirhart: Helluva deal. You bait the hooks--I catch the fish!--Grimm."

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10-22-2007, 05:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
MrBill Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,049	Good luck. Not to burst your bubble, but a $65 okuma spinner will blow up on the first fish. In fact, I don't think it could withstand the initial run of a decent size YF. Since you already own it, might as well give it a try. I'm a gambling man, and would like to place a bet on this reel getting a tuna to the gaff. Any takers? Don't waste your money on a Penn 9500 either. They just aren't designed to handle YF's. It might bring in one or two before it explodes on you. If you don't fish for tuna very often, see if you can borrow a reel from somebody. You might want to consider a conventional reel. If you don't want to spend 600+ on a good spinning reel, just buy a Penn senator. It won't cost much and should do the job.

10-22-2007, 05:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
SpecialK Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 291	Well I don't mind getting into a more expensive reel. Just wanted to know if there was anything out there in the 200-400 range that would do the job. I guess I got ripped by cabellas, the Okuma ran about 115 after tax a few months back...haha What do you think the good options are??? I haveread about the cabo 80 also, is it crap? I have looked at the VS' before but didnt really think there could bethat much difference. The senator doesnt cast that well and that is what I want the reel for, topwater. I have a Shimano TLD 30 for jigging/chunking with.

10-22-2007, 07:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
fish on Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 40	special k i think u should get a fin-nor ofs 9500 leagues ahead of the penn and the spheros.Personally i was a shimano man until i tried to service my spheros and the bail broke,the drag was even worse as i couldnt get into the spool as the srews rounded when trying to pull.frankly if u ask me too many parts to pull on a spinner the fin-nor is way simpler and stronger.ps caught 60lbwahoo and 80lb yft with ease on a fin-nor ofs set-up with a fin-nor 50lb class rod.:

10-22-2007, 07:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
shanker Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 185	here is what happened to my Fin-Nor OFS95 on a barely keeper AJ, Fin-Nor said that they had a problem with early models and the thickness of the gear, but my advice to you SpecialK, after trying to do the same thing you are doing (buying a cheap spinner) get a TwinSpin, Stella, or Saltiga and you'll have a reel that will last you a lifetime and your grandchilden will more than likely be fishing with it. Fin Nor OFS95 - The Breaking Point

10-22-2007, 08:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
SpecialK Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 291	I read through your post. Thats rough! So did Fin-Nor say thatall of the new ones are problem solved or are these faulty gear floating around in the stores still?

10-22-2007, 08:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
SpecialK Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 291	Uncle Russ I am confused with that post? I don't own a 2 speed but I also don't know of one that would replace(even close) the castabilty of a spinning. I have caught many fish including bft's, kings, and successfully landed a 70-80# 5ft. blacktip. But thats no YFT either... Shanker, I don't see a Saltiga with the amount of line capacity I would think it takes to be sure about a sizeable YFT. AM I missing something. MR Bill HAHA I did do someother research on the reels. I should learn to do more research before buying. Everything I can find says these things are better off given away before you waste more money in line... I'll find something that will do the trick.

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