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.

[jig]

BTW, I assumed in writing the above novella, that you are looking for a YFT rod, to cast artificials. If you are looking for jigging or Bkft, etc. that rod is fine, as are most in the 30-50# class.

But I like conventional for everything but casting big artys to yellowfin.

Also, I went on Capt John last weekend and Johny was captain. To my horror, he would not let us cast overhand. Tony does let us. So as much as I love that trip, and I go a lot, I may be doing far less unless they confirm they will allow overhand casting for the YFT. But in May, you probably are not going to get into them on the capt john trip anyway, so I would not worry about it.

[Ragman]

Hey jig!

Thanks for sharing all that you did and went through. Those types of post are invaluable to those just starting out to keep them from wasting their time and money on things that others have tried and learned from.

That's the best thing about these fishing forums! But that's only if people heed the advice! LOL

Sorry to hear about Johnny and the no casting. Though I know in his mind it's a safety thing, you could make the same argument about even allowing sharp hooks and knives being used. You really could.

[jig]

Tom,

I agree. I am cheap as hell and have a hard head to boot. If you cut thru some of the "you new guys absolutely must have a Stella or accurate or you are SOL" stuff, there is really good advice on these forums for the guys just getting started. No question in my mind the learning curve on YFT fishing for me was almost eliminated because of advice over the internet. No doubt it has saved me a ton of money and put more fish in the cooler overall too. Of course, saving money is objective I guess; because of these forums I no longer fish the Newells that were perfectly fine for 20 years. I went from three outfits that cost around $500 total new to four outfits that cost over $1,500 (and I got bargain prices on those too). :-)

[BretABaker]

tackle is an addiction - you start slow then before you know it youve got tons and tons of reels

I am not a big fan of the Capt John for a couple reasons - what you mentioned is one of them. they also dont really target YFT, even though they claim that.

[jig]

I absolutely love the CJ. However, now that I have a few years of YFT fishing on the Big E under my belt, the CJ cannot compare for that style fishing. Its still a good trip, and I still enjoy it. But to tell the truth, I wish the CJ would quit targeting tuna at all and focus on what there are good at: a 36hr bottom fishing trip would be fantastic. I would much rather spend the night over a reef limiting out on snappers, grouper and beeliners than tied up to Tequila/Cerveza for 12 hours jigging for 5# blackfin. The CJ does not allow casting and they don't chum. Therefore, they just cannot effectively fish for tuna.

I would like to be able to pick a trip to target something specifc. When I wanted tuna, I would go Big E, and when I wanted reef fish, I could go CJ.

[N2Tuna]

jig, Thanks for the the information. I feel like I need to get a better rod, however, I just cant afford one right now. If youre right about YFT in May then I should be alright. I will just have to upgrade rods later.

If I wanted to target YFT wich charter is best and what time of year? Big E Dec-Feb?

[jig]

Big E, Oct thru Feb. Oct and Nov my preferred months. Jan usually gets blown out.

Been there on the affording tackle. Thats why it peeves me on people who blast anyone recommending anything but the most expensive. Tom had good advice though, keep an eye out on the used tackle boards. Also, I am always looking for gear, and that's why I find deals. If you wait until the day before you need it to get it, you ain't gonna get a deal.

[awesum]

I wanted an OTI spinner for using with my Spheros 14000 and Cabo 80 but found the foregrips to be too large and uncomfortable for my very small hands. I bought a Daiwa Saltiga 7' 30 - 50# spinner off the shelf. On my first successful popper throwing trip I found the rod to be adequate as far as backbone and castability, however, on my third YFT the reel seat came undone. I suspect this is something one needs to watch when using a lesser rod. Roy's repaired the reel seat for $11 and assured me it's better than new and will not come undone again.

At the fishing show in Houston this week I had the opportunity to look over Don Savage's 30 - 80# 7' spinner and it's really nice and comes with harness lugs too. He said he could outfit me with a smaller foregrip to fit my hands so that's probably the route I'll go as soon as I collect $299 worth of aluminum cans ...

[Ragman]

Originally Posted by awesum

I wanted an OTI spinner for using with my Spheros 14000 and Cabo 80 but found the foregrips to be too large and uncomfortable for my very small hands.

We reduced the fore grip on all of our rods!

It's still the same design.

[awesum]

Originally Posted by Ragman

We reduced the fore grip on all of our rods!

That's good to know, Tom.

Apparently I'm not the only person that the grips didn't fit.

There are pluses to having small hands ya know .....