Max drag on Cabo 80?

[lite-liner]

Hey all. just wondering about this reel for a 50# tuna spinner.
I was about to buy the Fin-Nor, but after reviewing the line roller
pics, I'm hesitant. Obviously, I don't have the $$ for a Stella, or this
wouldn't be an issue.
On the other hand,I wonder if the line-roller bushings on the Fin-Nor
are Delrin, like the shaft spacer.
Input needed!
tight lines
-B

[sachin2021]

I have a cabo 80 on order and have been using a Cabo 60 with 65lb Tuf Line XP for popper fishing here in Fiji.
The reel (and angler) have landed numerous Giant Trevally to 45 pounds and the reel has not missed a beat.
For those who have fished for GTs you will know what sort of drag is required to stop a 45 lb GT from writing you off in the coral.
I unscrewed the sideplate after using it for 18 months and found not even a hint of salt in the gears or any hint of corriosion inside or outide the reel.
All it gets after a trip is a fresh water washdown and a spray of WD40.
Thoroughly recommend them.
And my other reel is a Stella 20000

[Spinning Reel]

Some guys who went to Maldive Islands for GT fishing told me that the only Cabo 60 that was there got a jerky drag at high settings.

What is your experience?

I caught a 50lbs YFT on a slightly upgraded Okuma Salina 80 and I only used a third of the drag, the reel performed flawlessly. Sorry for the O/T.

[ALW]

We will be throwing poppers with a Cabo 80 next few days. Will report back on how it does. The drag is quite smooth when we checked it at 22 lbs. See how it does on the yellow fin.

[awesum]

Originally Posted by ALW

We will be throwing poppers with a Cabo 80 next few days. Will report back on how it does. The drag is quite smooth when we checked it at 22 lbs. See how it does on the yellow fin.

How did it do? I still haven't had a chance to break mine in and won't for a couple more months.

Regarding the issue of a jerky drag ...My Cabo 60 has 30# mono on it......one of those that breaks at a much higher test. While I have caught AJ and Kings in the 30's, BFT in the high 20's and Red Snapper in the low 20's I have never experienced a jerky drag.

There are those that will still say the reel has never seriously been tested because I haven'y used it for YFT but I have had some serious drag on it.

[ALW]

The Cabo 80 has a smooth drag. We have used it on two tuna trips with great success. Put 65 lb JB on it. The Cabo 60 may work fine too. I don't know how much drag you get with it. I don't see any need for a Stella if you have one of these.

[Ragman]

Originally Posted by ALW

The Cabo 80 has a smooth drag. We have used it on two tuna trips with great success. Put 65 lb JB on it. The Cabo 60 may work fine too. I don't know how much drag you get with it. I don't see any need for a Stella if you have one of these.

Hey ALW!

Please tell us the details on the two tuna trips with the C80.

How many BFT's, YFT's, and reef fish? Weight, length of fight etc.

Thanks as I know a lot of others are interested in first-hand field info!

[Spinning Reel]

Yes indeed!

[sachin2021]

Originally Posted by Spinning Reel

Some guys who went to Maldive Islands for GT fishing told me that the only Cabo 60 that was there got a jerky drag at high settings.

What is your experience?

I caught a 50lbs YFT on a slightly upgraded Okuma Salina 80 and I only used a third of the drag, the reel performed flawlessly. Sorry for the O/T.

I would imagine that the drag may have been assembled incorrectly if it had been stripped for servicing.
Also would check to see if the line roller was turning freely. I have heard that the Cabo does need a regular dose of grease on this item.
To be honest the only reels I have had a sticky drag on are the baitrunners but once the standard felt drags are upgraded to carbontex or smoothies this is not an issue.

[ALW]

we had a Cabo 80 prototype last fall on the TBB 06 trip and caught YF on poppers. Bought one and used it last week. Set the drag at 21 lbs and was smooth at that setting. Caught quite a few BF Tuna and 1 YF tuna. The fight was short and no trouble bringing the fish to the gaf. The YF was 30-40 lbs the BF were 10-15 lbs. Some jigging was done with OTI 450 gm jigs using that reel. BF tuna most every drop. Don't have any more details since my son was fishing with that reel.

[Spinning Reel]

Originally Posted by sachin2021

For those who have fished for GTs you will know what sort of drag is required to stop a 45 lb GT from writing you off in the coral.

Mmm.. must not be the same as to keep a 120lb GT from the corals


This is an Italian guy who fished it in Tanzania, the reel was a Stella 20.000 if I am not wrong.