Need help with reel choice

N2Tuna

I need help choosing a spinning reel. I am in Dallas and there is not a lot tackle shops around. ( Bass Pro and Cabellas) I have been reading on this site for a couple weeks but have not seen a lot of information on the lower end spinning reels. My budget is in the $200 range. I have found the following reels new on various online stores.

Fin Nor OFS 95 $139
Shimmano Spheros 1400 $110
Shimmano Thunus $220
Quantum Cabo PTS 80 $169
Penn 950ssm $119
Penn 9500ss $149
Okuma VS 65/80 $189

I am about to schedule my 4th trip. I plan to go every one to two years. Mostly going after BFT and YFT. Going on a 36hr with Captian Jonh in May.

fishr1989 · 02-27-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2Tuna

fishr1989, how do you think this rod "bare foot 6' 250-325g" will cast with a Shimano Spheros 1400? Great info coming back, I sure appreciate the help.

It won't fit with the Spheros as it's a conventional rod for a baitcaster, as well as a jigging rod rather than a popping rod.

Star Rods Delux Series
DLX30/50
30-50lb
1 - 4oz
7'
119.95

we use this rod for shark fishing in Rhode Island, with 80lb braided line, so it should stand up fine for tuna. They cast really well, and are super strong. A lot of our fishing is done with up to 40lbs of drag, and the rods hold up really well.

this rod also has a 5 year warrantee
Delux Star Rods -- Bill's Sport Shop Bait, Tackle, Charters, Fishing Supplies

jig · 03-04-2008, 08:48 PM

Feb 1-3 Big E trip I had 3 tuna to I guesss around 80# caught on Spheros 14000 (old model) with upgraded drags. Going on my third year with the reel and lots of decent tuna, no problems at all.

New rod is all the difference though. I think I had a 30-50# rod until last year. Got a 30-80# 7ft and now I can really pull on the fish, with around 25# of drag. You have to get a rod you can pull on, and hard. I can't begin to tell you what a big difference it makes on the larger YFT (duh).

N2Tuna · 03-04-2008, 09:16 PM

jig, thanks for the info. I have been reading-reading-reading about different rods. I think i am going with the Spheros 14000fa or 18000fb reels. I just don't know wich rod to get. I have looked at: Allstar 20-50, tsunami 30-40, and FTU 20-50. I have only been able to find 2 spinning rods rated at + 50#. OTI and Calstar. Is there a less expensive heavy spinning rod available? How hard ( expensive) would it be to convert a casting rod over to a spinning rod?

ksong · 03-04-2008, 09:21 PM

After seeeing Spheros 14000/18000 and Saragosa 14000/18000 at NY show, I highly recommend Saragosa reel.
I just got my Saragosa 18000F and the reel is as good as my Stellas in appearance. The handle and grip look identical to my Stella 8000.
I would say Saragosa reel is reinforced Spheros.

fishr1989 · 03-04-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2Tuna

jig, thanks for the info. I have been reading-reading-reading about different rods. I think i am going with the Spheros 14000fa or 18000fb reels. I just don't know wich rod to get. I have looked at: Allstar 20-50, tsunami 30-40, and FTU 20-50. I have only been able to find 2 spinning rods rated at + 50#. OTI and Calstar. Is there a less expensive heavy spinning rod available? How hard ( expensive) would it be to convert a casting rod over to a spinning rod?

I would not hesitate to trust the tsunami, the biggest fish we have caught on that 20-50 Allstar was a 465lb Mako. We fish that rod with up to 40lbs of drag, a constant 20lbs, and have never had one fail on us.

N2Tuna · 03-05-2008, 12:08 PM

fishr1989, The Allstar rod from FTU has a MH rating. Is that the same rod that you are using? If so does it seem to have enough back bone?

allstar
All Star - Coastal Classic Offshore Spinning Rod

fishr1989 · 03-05-2008, 02:37 PM

It's got plenty of backbone, I've tossed 4.5oz poppers on it no problem. Also take into account you're using it in a slightly lighter application than what we are...Tuna vs sharks. For what they are, with the composite blank, they are also surprisingly light, you should have no problem casting all day.

Another factor t consider is if you're matching it with the Spheros 14k or 18k, it puts out far less drag than the stella, and I'm assuming you're only fishing 65lb braid not 80?

N2Tuna · 03-05-2008, 03:37 PM

Yes I will be using 65# braid of some kind. I think that the spheros and allstar will make a good intro level combo. Then maybe in the future a good back-up. Thanks for the help.

fishr1989 · 03-05-2008, 03:52 PM

no problem, just remember to upgrade the drag

jig · 03-05-2008, 10:07 PM

N2tuna,

Your questions are too funny! I went thru the EXACT same thought process. I looked at every spinner I could get my hands on, and was not happy with anything off the shelf. The rod I ended up getting, and mentioned above, that I used to fish with was a 30-50 Allstar Gulfstream conventional rod that I had converted to a spinner! (Before you all bash me about how you cannot do that, I sat on the floor in Academy for an hour and went thru all the rods and found one exactly off spline 180 degrees. I then had the lowest two guides move up to #3 and 4, and then put new spinning guides in spots #1 and 2. I knew what I was doing.)

Anyway, the Gulfstream was perfect, it had good balance and feel and cast a mile. I couldn't believe I got a perfect rod for on $65, including replacing the eyes.
Then, I hooked into about a 75-80# YFT on the Big E. I pushed that rod to the limit, and then again twice over that. I was plum freaked out that it did not shatter. BUT, it simply would not pull on the tuna, as it did not have the backbone. I had it bent like in those Ugly stik ads. It took me forever to get that tuna in, and it almost killed me. And then, be damned, about an hour or so later, I did it again. That trip, I swore to go get a big stick with some backbone. Absolutely no dis on the Gulfstream, but I was fishing it way over it limits. I still use it though for lots of other stuff, but not YFT.

I got lucky one day and found a rod that apparently does not exist, as I can find no info on it. Its a Penn by Roddy gater tail, 7ft, 30-80 (or 50-80), I paid $25 for it at Academy. Never seen one since, there or online or anywhere. But it has the backbone, and the difference is unreal. I have not had a tuna yet that I fought over 30 minutes, some half that. And I fish with single hook swimbaits, so I am not getting the tuna in quick because of all the trebles on a topwater closing up the fishes mouth.

So, I don't know if that is the Allstar you are talking about, but trust me, if you want a YFT, don't undershoot on the rod. If I had to buy one today, I would get the OTI.

Holy cow, did I just type that much crap?

03-05-2008, 02:37 PM	#27 (permalink)
fishr1989 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Newport, RI Posts: 359	It's got plenty of backbone, I've tossed 4.5oz poppers on it no problem. Also take into account you're using it in a slightly lighter application than what we are...Tuna vs sharks. For what they are, with the composite blank, they are also surprisingly light, you should have no problem casting all day. Another factor t consider is if you're matching it with the Spheros 14k or 18k, it puts out far less drag than the stella, and I'm assuming you're only fishing 65lb braid not 80? __________________ HowlinWolfCharters.com Everyone needs to believe in something, I believe I'll go fishing.

03-05-2008, 03:52 PM	#29 (permalink)
fishr1989 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Newport, RI Posts: 359	no problem, just remember to upgrade the drag __________________ HowlinWolfCharters.com Everyone needs to believe in something, I believe I'll go fishing.

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03-04-2008, 08:48 PM	#22 (permalink)
jig Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 241	Feb 1-3 Big E trip I had 3 tuna to I guesss around 80# caught on Spheros 14000 (old model) with upgraded drags. Going on my third year with the reel and lots of decent tuna, no problems at all. New rod is all the difference though. I think I had a 30-50# rod until last year. Got a 30-80# 7ft and now I can really pull on the fish, with around 25# of drag. You have to get a rod you can pull on, and hard. I can't begin to tell you what a big difference it makes on the larger YFT (duh).

03-04-2008, 09:16 PM	#23 (permalink)
N2Tuna Junior member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 10	jig, thanks for the info. I have been reading-reading-reading about different rods. I think i am going with the Spheros 14000fa or 18000fb reels. I just don't know wich rod to get. I have looked at: Allstar 20-50, tsunami 30-40, and FTU 20-50. I have only been able to find 2 spinning rods rated at + 50#. OTI and Calstar. Is there a less expensive heavy spinning rod available? How hard ( expensive) would it be to convert a casting rod over to a spinning rod?

03-04-2008, 09:21 PM	#24 (permalink)
ksong Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,408	After seeeing Spheros 14000/18000 and Saragosa 14000/18000 at NY show, I highly recommend Saragosa reel. I just got my Saragosa 18000F and the reel is as good as my Stellas in appearance. The handle and grip look identical to my Stella 8000. I would say Saragosa reel is reinforced Spheros.

03-05-2008, 12:08 PM	#26 (permalink)
N2Tuna Junior member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 10	fishr1989, The Allstar rod from FTU has a MH rating. Is that the same rod that you are using? If so does it seem to have enough back bone? allstar All Star - Coastal Classic Offshore Spinning Rod

03-05-2008, 03:37 PM	#28 (permalink)
N2Tuna Junior member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 10	Yes I will be using 65# braid of some kind. I think that the spheros and allstar will make a good intro level combo. Then maybe in the future a good back-up. Thanks for the help.

03-05-2008, 10:07 PM	#30 (permalink)
jig Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 241	N2tuna, Your questions are too funny! I went thru the EXACT same thought process. I looked at every spinner I could get my hands on, and was not happy with anything off the shelf. The rod I ended up getting, and mentioned above, that I used to fish with was a 30-50 Allstar Gulfstream conventional rod that I had converted to a spinner! (Before you all bash me about how you cannot do that, I sat on the floor in Academy for an hour and went thru all the rods and found one exactly off spline 180 degrees. I then had the lowest two guides move up to #3 and 4, and then put new spinning guides in spots #1 and 2. I knew what I was doing.) Anyway, the Gulfstream was perfect, it had good balance and feel and cast a mile. I couldn't believe I got a perfect rod for on $65, including replacing the eyes. Then, I hooked into about a 75-80# YFT on the Big E. I pushed that rod to the limit, and then again twice over that. I was plum freaked out that it did not shatter. BUT, it simply would not pull on the tuna, as it did not have the backbone. I had it bent like in those Ugly stik ads. It took me forever to get that tuna in, and it almost killed me. And then, be damned, about an hour or so later, I did it again. That trip, I swore to go get a big stick with some backbone. Absolutely no dis on the Gulfstream, but I was fishing it way over it limits. I still use it though for lots of other stuff, but not YFT. I got lucky one day and found a rod that apparently does not exist, as I can find no info on it. Its a Penn by Roddy gater tail, 7ft, 30-80 (or 50-80), I paid $25 for it at Academy. Never seen one since, there or online or anywhere. But it has the backbone, and the difference is unreal. I have not had a tuna yet that I fought over 30 minutes, some half that. And I fish with single hook swimbaits, so I am not getting the tuna in quick because of all the trebles on a topwater closing up the fishes mouth. So, I don't know if that is the Allstar you are talking about, but trust me, if you want a YFT, don't undershoot on the rod. If I had to buy one today, I would get the OTI. Holy cow, did I just type that much crap?

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