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AN ALL AROUND OFFSHORE REEL?

18K views 31 replies 21 participants last post by  fishr1989 
#1 ·
WHAT IS AN ALL AROUND OFFSHORE REEL?

ONE THAT CAN THROW TUNA POPPERS AND HANDLE A 80-100 TUNA AND EVERY OTHER KIND OF OFFSHORE TABLEFARE.

IM NEW TO THE OFFSHORE FISHING BUT I WANT TO GET INTO IT.
 
G
#2 ·
you will need an educated thumb to throw most poppers with a conventional reel. with that being said i think the best choice at this time is the avet lx 2 speed. you can cast poppers with it on the right rod, jig with it, and chunk for tuna with it, and still be able to bottom fish for snappers and groupers and even land a good size amberjack.....rick
 
#3 ·
A versital reel that would allow you to toss poppers, handle 100lb class tuna and do other things.....

Go with the 10000 Stella Spinning Reel $$$$

it is high speed, has unbelieviable drag, would let you throw TW, Jig, troll for kings near shore, and you could easily hit some snapper and the occasionally AJ Donkey

Keep in mind this reel is costly, but it would do everything you would need.

But a that cost you mine as well get two different reels with different applications.

YOU DID ASK for the all around reel that handles 100lb class tuna...
 
#4 ·
I agree with Mcgolfer on Avet casting reel, but educated thumb will be needed.

Also want to consider Shimano Trinidad 40, that's my all around reel combo with Seeker CJBF70xHx. I can go on over night trip or longer with just one rig and will do ok.

If casting with conventional reel is not oyur thing and money is not a problem
go with what Mudskipper said. Shimano Stella or Daiwa Saltiga GT or Dog fight. JMO
 
#6 ·
LX is the largest "Casting Reel" Avet makes with the most drag at Strike setting... And it holds the most line of the Avet casting group. If you plan on fishing Chunk Baits and Jigging for YFT it might be best to go with the 2 Speed LX.

SX, MX, MLX and JX are best for Light Offshore.. Kings, Dorado, and Snapper

Bazz
 
#9 ·
Penn Torque 300
I'll post updated news of Penn Torgue. :)
Here is a recent report of field testers.

We have had the reels out in the field fighing and just yesterday I received an update from one of our guys on the gulf coast. He wrote that he caught several fish and had nothing but good to say about the new Torque. He caught a yellowfin tuna well over one hundred pounds and a bull redfish in the forty pound class.

He had a charter out with him and he said the reels cast very well. However, it is equally capable as a jigging reel. Apparently the charter customer was fighting the tuna for two houirs with a heavy drag and the reel worked perfect.

If you are looking for a reel with some cast controls our plan is to add mechanical casting weights to the 100 size reel like those found in our International baitcast reels.

I have cast the 300 and 200 size reels and and very happy with their abilities.
 
#10 ·
I'll post updated news of Penn Torgue. :)
Here is a recent report of field testers.


Ive already pre-paid for mine, I plan on using it for jigging, and also having a trolling rod for it to make it my all-round reel, I may even use it from the surf on my surf rod w/ yakking out baits.


Got anymore info? I cant believe I spent 400 dollars on something I havnt touched yet.

Any info on Magging one?
 
#11 ·
Here is some more info from Penn on Penn Torgue.

The reel is spec'd to get about 32 pounds of drag but the first test reel off out assembly belt could achieve much more without a problem. Although I can't imagine holding on to the rod with that kind of drag the reel is capable of some high drags without any binding, etc.

The reel will be made in the USA at our Philadelphia factory. The star is stainless steel with a powder paint on it and the gearing is stainless steel with a stainless pinion and maingear.

I know 35 pounds plus of drag is tough to imagine on such a small reel. When we designed these we did it with both mono and braid in mind. The reels have our patented versa-drag drag stack configuration. This allows you to change the orientation of drag washers to acheive 3 different drag ranges. When we talk about 35 pounds of drag it is with the versa-drag set in the heaviest configuration - there are 2 lighter configurations for traditional mono. With the heavy drag set-up the 300 is perfect for 80 braid and the 200 with the heavy set-up is great with 60 pound braid. The drag material is HT 100 and we find that it works especially well in a stacked drag.
 
#12 ·
Apparently Penn is finally getting with the program after years of getting their butts kicked by Shimano and others. The big giant hasn't sold me a reel in over 7 years because of sitting on their old designs and not spending any money on reaserch and design . I understand the new V-series of internationals are a lot better than the older ones. I still think that the Tiagras new A series has them beat. I will probably buy one of the new torque reels after I see it in person and can handle it.
 
#13 ·
I am a little late weighing in on this one...but here goes. I have used Rick's LX 2 speed and love the reel. In fact, the next reel I buy will be this one. I guess I need an OTI blank and txseadog wrap to compliment it.
Anyway, the reel has good power at 20lbs of drag and if you get bit by a 100lb+ tuna, you can drop to a lower speed.
That said, I also have a Saltist 40 and for the money it is great. Smooth as all get out and the 4.9/1 ratio option allows for some cranking power. Max drag is 22lbs. The side plates leave a lot to be desired though. The Saltiga has improvements here and in a some of the internal components as well. However, you can buy the Saltist for $169. This will save you $200 when compred to the LX or Saltiga and I have put 80lb yellowfin in the boat within 10 minutes with my Saltist.
In any case, if you have the money and are going to be fishing a lot...go with the LX in my opinion. If you are going to fish a few times a year, go with the Saltist. You will not be dissapointed!
 
#14 ·
Pope,

That was what I've experienced with my LX 2. I simply love it. I've used it several times this year so far for Snapper, Kings, had a 50 Lb Black Tip, AJ, and numerous other species of fish. Haven't used it for Tuna yet though.

Caught a nice AJ on it, and already had it in low gear to begin with. Once I got the fish heading up, clicked into high gear and it it up to the boat in just a few minutes. Had 18 Lbs of Drag set on it, and it never even acted like it was a problem for this reel.

Great real, good price for the quality of reel you get. I just can't wait to get it loaded up with a big YFT!

If you want a good reel for the money that you don't have to do any after factory mods to, the Avet LX 2 is a great buy.
 
#15 ·
I will also tell you I am an Avet reels fan and I have Five LX 6/3 two speed reels and One MXL 4.5:1 . I love my LX 2 speed reels that is all I buy since it can be used for about anything and will do the job . They are bulletproof reels and worth every penny. They list for 379.99 for the LX 2 speed .
 
#17 ·
Hey Mirrorlure7m!

Welcome to 360Tuna and thanks for your input!

We look forward to your participation, fishing reports, and questions!

Thank you sir. Also I want to update my post I now have 6 LX 6/3 Avet reels and 1 MXL . These reels are great. That is why they are sold in our local tackle shop where I am the Avet reels specialist.
 
#18 ·
I don't have an all around rifle, only about 10.
I don't have an all around shot gun, only about 6
I don't have an all around salt water rod only about 30
I don't have an all around salt water reel only about 35.

with that being said.
I did watch a genteleman on the bow of the Big E this last weekend fish the Penn Baja penn spl. I think with about 50lb braid.

he used it for jigging, popping, chunking I did not notice which rod he had but it was matched well.
He handled a 90 + YFT on a jig with it.

For a reel @ I believe less than $200 It preformed well.

Only BFT for me and a 30lb skamp on the trip so I did not put any of the 9 rigs I brought to much of a test.

1 bait rig (low budget) I brought wound up landing about 18 BFT on jigs.
I loaned it to a last minuite guest who wanted to use a right handed spinner.
Penn 550 w\20 lb ande pink\bimini to snap on a BW ugly stick. He saw the bottom 1\4 of the spool on most every fish but lost none.


Kev.
 
#19 ·
I think I may be soon down to 3 that meet the all around criteria. One is just not gonna get it (But LX is close).

LX with 65#spectra and 30# hi-test (reported BS of 54#)
Spheros 14000 with 65spectra
665W 2spd with 100#spectra and 60#hi-test (reported BS of 104#)

I think above 3 will truely cover everything (of course excluding marlin) IF the new 665W 2spd has around 35#drag at strike AND the Hi test line proves to be close to what they are reporting. Hope to find out soon.

If I had to choose one, it would be LX with 40# hi test line (BS 60#). That would cover 95% of my fishing. As much as I hate to confess, I just cannot cast my Newells as well as the big spinner, and the 2spd has me converted, so I am not a newell man anymore. Never thought I'd see the day.
 
#20 ·
Way to go m7m!

Exactly FH56! Sort of the same way in playing the game of golf! That's why they limit you to only 14 clubs.

After watching McGolfer chunk with his TwinSpin, you can make the argument that that reel on a 6 foot stiff 50# rod could just about handle any GOM jigging, big topwater lures (2-4 oz), and chunking that would happen up to a 52 hour trip.

The main reason I wouldn't want to only take one rig is that if it were to fail or become unfishable, I'd have to beg someone's rig to fish.
 
#21 ·
Okay, I know this is a fairly old thread, but I'm new here and wanted to add something.

If you're looking for a reel that won't break the bank, but can serve in an all around offshore application, do not over look the Penn Baja Special

Please keep in mind that I am not a big fan of Penn Senators for the most part. So I was a little leary of this reel when my wife bought it for me.

This is nothing more than what the west coast guys call a Yellowtail Special. However, I believe it is a size smaller than the 4/0 that most YTS start life as. When I went to work offshore in the GOM, I took my Baja Special with me. At the time, I figured if I had to blow up a reel, it may as well be this one - I was treating it like a second string player. At the outset I was worried about its speed and strength. However, my second cast with a barbie raider 125 put those fears to rest when a 70lb hoo inhaled the jig! Luckily I had loaded it with about 400 yrds of 65lb spectra and a shot of 40lb mono. I always fish my drags very tight when fishing the iron and found the Baja Special was up to the task. Unlike most senators, this reel was silky smooth on that first run. The spool didn't slip and it was not jerky when the fish was straight up and down.

Since then I've beat this reel to death on just about everything that would test it. And it is still the reel I put in my bag when I go back to work. I love the Trinidads but this is the blue collar working man's reel. Give it a shot. It doesn't cost a lot, so if you don't like it that much, you'll have a good back up.
 
#25 ·
As others have probably mentioned, I don't think one reel can do all the prescribed tasks equally well. For tossing poppers, the Stella/Saltiga/Twinspin spinning reels probably have an edge over any conventional reel. For jigging, the Baja Special/Saltiga/Saltist/Torsa/Boss/Trinidad Narrow Special/Ocea Jigger/Torque reels would all work pretty well. For dragging lures/baits, the Tiagra/ATD Platinum/Penn V-series/Alutecnos reels all get the job done.

I'm decidedly NOT an Avet fan for any of the above tasks in spite of owning a series of Avet reels on multiple occasions: I just can't get past the extreme side-load on them when any significant amount of drag is applied. Probably just me though, some people really like them.

I've never really done moderation well...

 
#26 ·
damn all u rich people way to make me feel broker than broke i think the things on that table are worth more than my hosue and all the shyt in it wow good thing for inherdence money and a good IQ score man i hope i can wind up with a collection somewhere along the lines of that
 
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