Thanks for you help and advice. Gearing up for kayak fishing in Panama. In addition to jigging and popping, will be doing some slow trolling with live bait..small bonita I guess up to around 5 pounds and blue runner. Now Under consideration are Trinidad 16a or 20 and Torium 16 and 20. Would appreciate your thoughts.
I do have an older Torium 30 from 2009 that I have probably used once— thinking it may be a bit too bulky and I understand that I would need to get the anti- reverse modified.
Thanks again, I am far more familiar with spinners.
Trinidad better reel. Period. Not sure I’d want something that expensive on a yak. Not sure I’d need something that capable, either. Those Trinidads can bring up some monsters. Probably enough drag to bob sled depending what got on.
Speaking of Trinidad drag ,
I own a 10 and a 14 a,
I love the reels but to be honest the drag sucks. They have way less drag than any comparable high end reel.
I'm told you can remedy this by changing out the washers to carbonex,but why should you have to do this on a reel in this price category?
It's like avets bearings.these Companys know about these shortcomings. Why do they still exist? Especially in one of shimano's flagship reels.
Old gold or new silver models? The old gold 20 which I had a few of and a 30 maxed out at 13# at strike but new silvers have better. Probably more than could be used on a yak before getting towed around.
The tn a's are the silver ones and the ones I own.
The 10,12 and14 models all share the same drag and are all under what they should be for a reel in this category as far as I ( and many others) am concerned.As you step up to the 16 and 20 things get to where they should be. This is a known issue.(hence the carbonex washer fix)With more and more people stepping down in the size of rods and reels,for big fish, I'm just surprised that shimano has not addressed this yet.
Appreciating your insights. You hit the nail on the head. Though the reel would be on a leash ,a higher end reel on a kayak is risky. Just about any fish will pull a kayak. If the fish runs you go for a ride and try to angle the kayak to create some drag. When it comes to a vertical fight with something like a grouper you need enough drag to keep the fish out of the rocks but not so much that you end up in the water.
The likely targets in Panama would be Roosterfish from 10 to 60lbs, yellowfin from 20 to 60lbs, cubera and other snapper to around 60lbs.
All the fish are tough fighters— would a torium stand up to them?
Thanks again.
Wasn’t aware you were going there. I’d forget the Trinidad. Consider the JDM Ocea Jigger 2000NRPG 2017 model. Supposedly 20 plus drag. Haven’t tested mine yet but all my OJ have come very close to spec. Has spool lock which comes in handy with grouper if used wisely. Helps break off when stuck. Has auto engage I’ve come to love. Didn’t at first.
From Digitaka probably cheaper than US Trinidad. Around $430-$450 depending on currency. Very bad ass reel.
I’m about to order my second. Already had the 2011 version but liking the handle lock which appears stronger and has it’s bigger brother knob. Had the handle come loose on my older model on a big Goliath. Thought I had destroyed the reel. This one just appears more robust but not 100% sure on that.
Thanks again—appreciate your sharing your thoughts.
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