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Anybody have any comments on this reel? I'm looking for a smaller reel with a strong drag to target tuna from a kayak with. Anyone have any feedback on this reel?
Trinidad TN20 for Jigging and popping?
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I have a TN30 that works fine for BFT but I don't use it for YFT because the top end of the drag is only around 17lbs. When I tested the drag I found that once I hit about 13 - 14 lbs, the drag didn't remain consistent and had a tendancy to creep up - not good since the maximum is only around 17 and I feared using top end drag could result in creeping to lockdown.
I did bring in a 65lb YFT using a TN 30 and about 13 lbs of drag and it took about 50 minutes (exhausting!). I use an AVET 30 with about 25lbs of drag for YFT chunking and the same size YFT takes less than 15 minutes.
IMO, a Hoo-X (lever drag verses star drag) would be a better all around reel that could include YFT. Mine is set at 23 lbs at strike while still maintaning free spool. The drag ramp up is great. It's a 2 speed (I think 5.1:1) verses the Trini 30 6.1:1 but still brings in line quickly.
I did bring in a 65lb YFT using a TN 30 and about 13 lbs of drag and it took about 50 minutes (exhausting!). I use an AVET 30 with about 25lbs of drag for YFT chunking and the same size YFT takes less than 15 minutes.
IMO, a Hoo-X (lever drag verses star drag) would be a better all around reel that could include YFT. Mine is set at 23 lbs at strike while still maintaning free spool. The drag ramp up is great. It's a 2 speed (I think 5.1:1) verses the Trini 30 6.1:1 but still brings in line quickly.
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248 Posts
Well I already have plenty of Avets and the Hoo-X just doesn't do much for me. I think all the hype about it just kind of disappointed when it was released. I'm wanting a smaller reel with lots of drag, I saw where some people were claiming the get 25#s out of them (TN20s,) butI don't want to get drug all around the gulf for hours trying to land a 70# fish and waste alot of time. I was really thinking about jsut getting the Accurate but the fact of the matter is all the leashes (atatches rods to yak) wouldn't give m ea warm and fuzzy feeling in a littel plastic boat do the price.
Any other suggestions for a small(er) baitcaster with a strong drag to use for jigging, that doesn't completely break the bank?
Any other suggestions for a small(er) baitcaster with a strong drag to use for jigging, that doesn't completely break the bank?
I prefer star drag reels for jigging. But if you prefer a small, powerful lever drag reel for reasonable price, I highly recommend Everol 6/12. It is only 2/0 size reel, but can have upto 30 lbs drag (upgraded) with excellent free spool.
I caught many tuna upto 90 lbs on the tiny reel and I don't think any tuna lasted over 5 minutes.
If you feel 6/12 is too small, 12/20 can be a choice.
I caught many tuna upto 90 lbs on the tiny reel and I don't think any tuna lasted over 5 minutes.
If you feel 6/12 is too small, 12/20 can be a choice.
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Mitch,
Have you even considered the Torque 300 or 200. They are great heavy duty reels that can whip a 75# YF in short order. If you do like them, I over bought them. Last night I was going through a pile of ebay stuff and found a few reels I didn't even remember buying. If you are interested in the torques, let me know. I found a new in box 300 and 200. I'll take 289.00 for the 200 and 299.00 for the 300. No tax and shipping shouldn't be more than 10 bucks.
That's what I paid for them and I might add that I am a bottom feeder when it comes to purchasing reels!!!!!!
Have you even considered the Torque 300 or 200. They are great heavy duty reels that can whip a 75# YF in short order. If you do like them, I over bought them. Last night I was going through a pile of ebay stuff and found a few reels I didn't even remember buying. If you are interested in the torques, let me know. I found a new in box 300 and 200. I'll take 289.00 for the 200 and 299.00 for the 300. No tax and shipping shouldn't be more than 10 bucks.
That's what I paid for them and I might add that I am a bottom feeder when it comes to purchasing reels!!!!!!
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248 Posts
Mr. Bill, the 200 was definetly on the list and at that price I can't turn it down. Check your PMs, I'll take it.
I experimented Torgue 200 and Accurate 870 two-speed on the Three Kings Islands, NZ trip last year.
I tried 870 first, but I didn't like the lever drag reel at all for jigging and spent the rest of trip with Torgue 200.
The drag was superb and castability was average, not great and not bad.
The cranking power was surprisingly good considering the reel is high gear ratio and very small (2/0 size).
The reel is pretty heavy for its size (29 oz ? ), but I didn't feel it was heavy while fishing as the reel is so small.
I barely got 20-22 lbs drag way below their claim, but I think my particular reel had a problem.
catches with Torque 200 on the NZ trip.
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I tried 870 first, but I didn't like the lever drag reel at all for jigging and spent the rest of trip with Torgue 200.
The drag was superb and castability was average, not great and not bad.
The cranking power was surprisingly good considering the reel is high gear ratio and very small (2/0 size).
The reel is pretty heavy for its size (29 oz ? ), but I didn't feel it was heavy while fishing as the reel is so small.
I barely got 20-22 lbs drag way below their claim, but I think my particular reel had a problem.
catches with Torque 200 on the NZ trip.
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1,240 Posts
Great fish Kil!
As to the original posted question, let's try to remember that the guy wants to fish from a kayak. Now, grab a scale and set any reel/rod combo you want to 15#s of drag (measured with a scale, not a guess). Now, imagine sitting down, in a kayak, and then read all the posts that suggest a reel with 25#s or more of drag. Get back to me when you've tried a true 25#s of drag in a kayak.....if you make it back.
I see a lot of posts that recant using X amount of drag and have to shake my head and assume that they pulled the line off by hand and guessed at the drag amount because an honest-to-goodness 30#s of drag will just about pull a 6' tall 200# adult out of a boat even while wearing a harness. Been there, done it, just about went over.....a number of times. Here's what a scale-MEASURED 31#s of drag looks like in practice, not theory (good luck with that in a kayak) :
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As to the original posted question, let's try to remember that the guy wants to fish from a kayak. Now, grab a scale and set any reel/rod combo you want to 15#s of drag (measured with a scale, not a guess). Now, imagine sitting down, in a kayak, and then read all the posts that suggest a reel with 25#s or more of drag. Get back to me when you've tried a true 25#s of drag in a kayak.....if you make it back.
I see a lot of posts that recant using X amount of drag and have to shake my head and assume that they pulled the line off by hand and guessed at the drag amount because an honest-to-goodness 30#s of drag will just about pull a 6' tall 200# adult out of a boat even while wearing a harness. Been there, done it, just about went over.....a number of times. Here's what a scale-MEASURED 31#s of drag looks like in practice, not theory (good luck with that in a kayak) :
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248 Posts
in a vertical battle I will be able to do 20#s but if the fish gets out in front of me it wont happen as it will just drag the yak. I fusually fish 15#s now for sharks out of my yak now so I'm not terrible worried about 5# more. I do however believe its going to get much above 20#s as I'm expecting to have to cheat and lean awayfrom the fish to be able to put anypressure on them when they are straight down without turtling the yak.
I do agree with you though about alot of people not fighting fish with the amount of drag they think they are someimtes. I pushed my 50 sds to 45#s ONE time on a BIG shark from the beach that almost sent me water skiiing and I'm a tad shy of 300#s myself.
I do agree with you though about alot of people not fighting fish with the amount of drag they think they are someimtes. I pushed my 50 sds to 45#s ONE time on a BIG shark from the beach that almost sent me water skiiing and I'm a tad shy of 300#s myself.
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1,240 Posts
I've had six Trinidads redone by "Hawk" on the Allcoast forum with carbontex drags and Cal's drag plate. I'd have no problem going after good sized fish with my TN20. However, for jigging repeatedly, I really like the 40N (which will put out nearly 40 #'s of drag once it's been tweaked). Granted, I never push it that high except on a scale when it was redone to see what was possible.
I kayak fish a good bit in Florida and as you mention, if the fish gets out front, it's a sleigh ride. Fun, but not overly effective in landing the fish in a hurry
I kayak fish a good bit in Florida and as you mention, if the fish gets out front, it's a sleigh ride. Fun, but not overly effective in landing the fish in a hurry
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20 Posts
Tuna on a yak? Too much drag could be bad eh?
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