[Guest]

Given that these reels are very close in price. line capacity and weight - why do we see so many more Shimanos? Is it just their advertising? Is it the higher gear ratio?

I have not fished with either - and I've never fished with an Alutecnos period....but from the reviews of other Alutecnos reels I'm surprised I haven't seen more Gorillas.

 

[gman]

I have owned Alutecnos reel specifically their big game series 50W and its drag was the smoothest I've ever felt. However with that said, other than the price the torsa really is a work of art. The drag cam feature is wonderful and makes it a versatile reel.

I owned a Shimano Torsa 30 and there are many days I wished I hadn't sold it to Mr Bill ha ha. I loved that reel it was beautiful, versatile and a workhorse. I caught my largest red snapper of over 30 pounds on that reel, it was an epic battle where the fish went into the wreck and I waited it out until he moved and then he was done. The torsa made short work of him.

 

[MrBill]

That reel is a snapper magnet. Here's a pic of one caught on that same reel a couple of weeks ago. It had to be released as it wasn't snapper season. I have other torsa's and I'm thinking about buying a Torsa 40.

I don't own a Alutecnos reel but have fished with them in Cabo. They are very nice. You don't hear many people knocking them.

 

[gman]

I like the addition of the lugs

 

[gman]

damn Mr Bill thats thing is like Snapper-REX. What do you think it went. The one above was ounces from being 30

 

[MrBill]

damn Mr Bill thats thing is like Snapper-REX. What do you think it went. The one above was ounces from being 30

The Texas state record is 38.12 pounds. I did a guess that the fish in the picture was 30 to 33 pounds. It wasn't measured as venting him and putting back quickly into water was more important. Don't use a icepick or knife when venting a deep water fish. It sometimes works if you push on the bladder and hear the air come out. If you bottom fish always carry a syringe in your boat. Remove the plunger and the gas will escape quickly. I always carry a empty syringe in my tackle box for this purpose.

While were on the subject, releasing red snapper and other deep dwellers is important. I hate seeing a floating red snapper or grouper on the surface. It's not hard and only takes a second. Here is a site to show you how to do it.
Click on the video. It's very easy and does work.

How to vent a fish

 

[gman]

Another good reason to get them back down quick is all the damn satan dolphins, I hate those flipper bastards. Every single snapper that day would be eaten. They would huddle under the boat and pick off every damn short

I wanted a 50w so bad to lay a hurtin' on one. They are worse than dogfish up here once they find you your done

 

[Guest]

I would love to say "how about i get a gorilla and compare" - but its a pretty hefty priced reel, so hopefully someone here has used it. It sounds like either way you've got a good reel. I've heard excellent things about that torsa.

Those are both monster snappers - nice work. glenn, did you keep that one? If so, how do the big ones taste as compared to those just over keeper size?

 

[gman]

True story ...I took it back to POC intending on eating that thing when my friends asked me if they could have it skin mounted and hung in their POC Lodge. Its hanging on my friends lodge wall. There was a place right in POC that makes kick ass skin mounts although it took them about a year to complete

I liked my torsa but I was Itching for a 2 speed so I sold it

Your last two avatar images have been awesome the big hog AJ and now that wahoo

 

[Guest]

they look good mounted - pretty fish.

thank capt eddie for those avatars......they were all caught on his boat! ever since that AJ i really want to get one over 100 and really muscle it up.

 

[Guest]

I held a Alutecnos Albacore 20 (not gorilla unfortauntely) today at the Houston Fishing Show - really really nice reel. Also played with a Torsa 20. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[Sea Crappie]

I own a Gorilla now, but never had a torsa (have or had owned trini's, kaikons, oceas). Having to spend an extra $40 or whatever it costs to get a special little cam ticked me off too, so no torsa.

The alutecnos is ridiculously well made. Every component is high quality and the reel is built like an absolute tank. The drag is super smooth as has been mentioned above.

One thing you need to get ready for is the freespool. While more than sufficient to pitch jigs away from the boat, this is not a reel with a light spool nor one that freespools forever like an Avet. These facts don't bother me in the least since I bought the reel to jig for tuna and snapper, not to flyline pilchards.

Also, the handle is not the best for jigging. I'm considering emailing them and seeing in the new Gorilla 20 handle will fit on the 12 (or they can make it fit for me). All that said, it'll work just fine for now. The only jigging handles I really like that come ready to go from the factory are handles on the 4000/5000 Oceas.

If you don't like the retail price of the Gorillas, just watch out on ebay. With a little patience you can pick 'em up for a price closer to a trini than a torsa .

 

[Guest]

Yeah if I got one, I think i'd get the 20...the new handle looks interesting.

I hadn't heard about the freespool before. was it only at high drag settings, or did you notice it the whole time? i did not really check the freespool on this guys albacore. Do you think you could cast with it?
thx for the reply

 

[ksong]

Here is an excellent review by minnow.

http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f60/alutecnos-gorilla-12-review-436/

 

[Sea Crappie]

Bret,

The freespool runs for about 13 secs with an empty spool regardless of the drag preset (and that's w/ a HEAVY spool). I just pulled the reel out to do this.

What kind of casting do you want to use it for? Like I said, pitching 150g+ jigs, it will do just fine. Lighter stuff like smaller live bait would be a non-starter, as would trying to cast jigs great distances, like w/ a surface iron. If you really want a lever drag you can cast, an Accurate Boss w/ cast control is tough to beat. A 665 would get you there, and you can go 2-speed and still come in way cheaper than a Torsa. Accurates have their shortcomings too, but I would still (and have!) buy them over a torsa any day of the week.

 

[Guest]

the only casting would be surface iron as you said or throwing jigs underhand to get away from the boat. it sounds like that would work just fine for that.

i dont think this is the next reel i get, but it sounds like they're very nice....what have you caught with it?

 

[co-hany]

hi guys im new here so please help me compare the torsa 20 & 30 what is the best option knowing that i have one tiagra 50 wlrs & torium 20 .
thinking the 30 will be in the middle size wize , i ll with it for bottom fishing
light trolling & some jigging .
advise ?

 

[ty2philly]

I would love to say "how about i get a gorilla and compare" - but its a pretty hefty priced reel, so hopefully someone here has used it. It sounds like either way you've got a good reel. I've heard excellent things about that torsa.

Those are both monster snappers - nice work. glenn, did you keep that one? If so, how do the big ones taste as compared to those just over keeper size?

Bret,

When you move back to the Philly area you are welcome to borrow my Gorilla 12.

Ty

 

[Frogfish]

There's a difference between the Gorilla 12 and the Gorilla 12C right? What are the differences?

 

[Guest]

12C is compact (narrow).

thanks, Ty . at this point, having used both reels a little since my original post i have to say i prefer the alutecnos.