What’s my best options with affordability and bang for your buck in mind when getting started with trolling. I don’t have too much expensive stuff now but bottom fish with either spinning reels Penn 750 or open face Penn 309’s and 114’s, some lever action pflueger reels as well. I feel sure that I need something with higher line capacity and drag than these. What’s suggested for being my first season trolling to get my feet wet without dropping thousands? I want enough to get the job done for what I would expect to encounter.
Check out Okuma.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
Makairas tlds tiagras
Shimano TLD’s have served me well. We have upgraded handles on them and they will catch anything well almost anything. sometimes it take some finess and boat driving to get bigger wish in the boat but they will get it done. Penn Squall reels look nice too but I have never used them.
Charlie
www.tidedownsportfishing.com
(843)312-2981
Get some used internationals
I have the penn squal 30 vsw. One of the best values out there. If you have never order off jet.Com you get 15 percent off your first order puts them at about 200 a piece. Also look at pj’s rods.Com. all roller with a straight and bent but included for 120 a piece delivered. That’s hard to beat
If you buy used gear have it checked out first. I’ve seen used gear that is reasonably price become very pricey after having the drags and a few ball bearings replaced.
I would go Penn or Shimano, Squalls or TLDs as they are the most reasonably priced way to step into trolling and are both great products
Stick with your local tackle shops.
Fin-Nor seems decent for the price.
That said, buy the absolute best gear you can afford. Every corner cut will come back to bite you in the wallet.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
When if comes to boating fishing or hunting…buy once cry once.
Whatever you get set your drag at strike at 25% of line strength.
Charlie
www.tidedownsportfishing.com
(843)312-2981
I second the penn squalls. Haddrells usually runs a special on them in the winter where if you buy the reel you get the rod for next to nothing. Would be worth checking to see if they are doing it again this year. Have also had TLD 25s for 15 plus years and have caught some nice fish with them and they are still smooth.
Hydra-Sport 3300VX
18 Key West
If anyone knows of the Haddrells special let me know. I live in Lexington, SC and rarely make it to Charleston or Mt. P.
What Line capacity should I be looking to have on the reels? Do you guys run 40, 50, 60, more on these type reels?
On the squall you must be referencing the 60LD because the others seem pretty light weight for trolling.
it should land anything you will come across. My first marlin and yellowfin was on a tld 25…long fight!!!
shop local if you can but i dont think anyone going to sell them to you for 215 dollars. Most places are close to 400 with tax.
We have caught very nice fish on TLD 25’s. With the upgraded handles they are even better.
I haven’t fished with them in a few years but they are good economical reels.
Watch this site swap shop and THT. You might be able to pick up a used set up Avets or Internationals before next spring. Otherwise pick up a some TLD’s to get you going and move up as you can.
There is nothing that says you have to have all matching reels or that you have to buy them all at the same time.
quote:
Originally posted by knot yo businessit should land anything you will come across. My first marlin and yellowfin was on a tld 25…long fight!!!
shop local if you can but i dont think anyone going to sell them to you for 215 dollars. Most places are close to 400 with tax.
New TLD25’s on EBay for $150 and Squall 60LD for $130. Those are best prices. Other than that I’ve seen $179.99 in stores.
quote:
Originally posted by scdiverWe have caught very nice fish on TLD 25’s. With the upgraded handles they are even better.
I haven’t fished with them in a few years but they are good economical reels.
Watch this site swap shop and THT. You might be able to pick up a used set up Avets or Internationals before next spring. Otherwise pick up a some TLD’s to get you going and move up as you can.
There is nothing that says you have to have all matching reels or that you have to buy them all at the same time.
I need to get Atleast 4-5 set ups. I may get 4 and use another one of my Penn 114 otherwise. Whatever my biggest reels I have without level wind. I honestly thought rods were much more expensive. I was seeing pairs of 2 roller rods for sale for $160-$200. I was expecting that per rod but I guess not. Or am I looking @ Junk? I want quality but economic quality.
Caught plenty of fish on Penn Powersticks, I think they are $79.
Roller rods are nice, but require maintenance to keep in optimum condition.
Thanks for info. Does anyone pull Stretch 25’s anymore while trolling or while getting out to the ledge area?