Offshore reel spooling

[Jim Miller]

With the advent of the new spectra lines, I am looking to re spool my offshore conventional reels. Any suggestions on backing test(& amount) and topshot manuf.(test & amount) for the following reels.

a. Shim. TLD 20 on 40 lb rod
b. Penn 30T on 50 lb rod
c. Penn 50SW on 80 lb rod
Smaller rods for inshore Tuna. 50SW will be also used for NC Tuna trip this winter.I guess it's time to come up to speed w/ the new technology! Thanks in advance.
:)

[ifish42na]

a. Shim. TLD 20 on 40 lb rod

400 yards 80lb spectra, 100 yards 50lb mono

b. Penn 30T on 50 lb rod

550 yards 80lb spectra, 100 yards 60lb mono

c. Penn 50SW on 80 lb rod

750 yards 130lb spectra, 100 yards 80lb mono.

I'm not sure where you're fishing, but the TLD20/40lb rod may not be the best choice for trolling.

Basil Pappas
BHP Tackle
73 Norma Road
Harrington Park, NJ 07640
Toll Free: 877-861-2513

[Jim Miller]

Thanks Basil
I'll give you a call and we'll get my rigs set up. Is it possible to rig/splice the whole setup at your shop and have me wind the whole deal onto my reel? In other words, have you put the leader, top shot and spectra on a spool all spliced together. (with the leader on the spool first and the backing on last..and send it to me...so I can spool onto my reels) Or do folks send their reel to you for spooling w/ your winder machine at your shop? Again thanks for the reply! :)

[ifish42na]

I can set up the backing/topshot/leader as you stated, though you should use a linewinder to load the spectra. Many poeple send their reels in if they don't have access to one. Give me a call to discuss 201-767-9028.

[RatherBFishin]

Hello Basil~

My name is Pat and for Christmas I just got 2 Penn 50VSW on 50-80lb stand-up rods. I was wondering what to spool them with (if different from the answer you gave Jim Miller for his 50SW). I am actually located in Old Tappan right by the high school, so I was surprised and happy to see you are located in HP because I like to give local businesses my business. My father and I run a boat out of Brigantine, NJ trolling the wrecks and canyons for whatever is biting. Happy holidays.

Thanks,

Pat Mastropolo
Old Tappan, NJ

[soundownsam]

Basil,

Will a TLD frame and drag hold up to 30lbs + of drag that would require 50lb mono.

The rest look like great set ups that would be perfect for tuna or swordies.

Sam

[stingray]

I have 2 50vsw's spooled up with 1500 yards of 65lb power pro and 100 yards of 100lb top shot. Now, the only thing left to do is actually catch a fish.

[Codfisher]

Be careful using super braids when fishing for tuna etc. Wrap a finger, or limb while fighting a pelagic you can kiss it goodbye..it will sever it like a scalpel. Most of the guys I know stick with dacron or mono for this reason. Braids are great for groundfishing but are downright dangerous when fishing for the big boys.

[DaleH]

Basil,
Will a TLD frame and drag hold up to 30lbs + of drag that would require 50lb mono.
You mean like this? Picture and info from "Alantani", a West Coast reel expert ...

http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/medium/206tld30IIfailure.JPG

He says that Shimano originally developed the TLD 25 reel for 700 yards of 25# test mono and 8#'s of drag at strike. That said, he also says that most anglers put 40, 50 or 60 pound mono on the single speed TLDs, using drag settings of 10-15 pounds of drag at strike, and he's not aware of a single case of frame failure in the single speed TLD reels.

Why would you also need 30 pounds of drag with 50# line (#$119) ? I don't think a TLD 25 will handle that ...