I prefer to buy local, but I have about $200 in Basspro gift cards from Christmas presents that are burning a hole in my pocket. I have an old spheros 14000 on a trevala 5’9 XXH that needs to be replaced in my arsenal. Will probably be dropping down with live bait and keeping in the rod holder, rather than jigging. Unfortunately, Basspro’s selection has gone to crap. I was thinking spheros SW 10000, but they apparently only carry the 8000 and 20000 now. The other option is to get away from spinners and get something like a US senator or Torium. Open to all suggestions and willing to spend a little more, but I’ll have to stick to something BP carries. Any thoughts? Thanks.
The US Senator 113N is a beefy, tried and true reel that will excel at what you’re wanting to do. The main downfall to it is that it’s heavy compared to today’s lightweight machined jigging reels. I have caught my fair share of halibut, rockfish, grouper, AJs, snapper, sharks etc on my US Senator and its one reel that will stay in my arsenal for a loooong time.
Plus they have that classy old school senator look that can handle a beating and some boat rash without your asshole puckering up.
I use a 114H Senator (old post frame, with upgraded Tiburon frame and over size handle) on a bent butt rod with a swivel tip for live bait. Works like a champ. Just leave it in the rod holder and crank.
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Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
Jigging rod/reels can be more fun, but if you are solely looking for the workhorse the 2 formentioned above me are the way to go!
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Originally posted by Long EnuffI use a 114H Senator (old post frame, with upgraded Tiburon frame and over size handle) on a bent butt rod with a swivel tip for live bait. Works like a champ. Just leave it in the rod holder and crank.
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Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
Those Daiwa Dendoh deep drop bent butt rods are a great deal and can take a beating. I had the shorter one and liked it until all the guides got ripped off.
I would just put some new guides on it.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
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Originally posted by Long EnuffI would just put some new guides on it.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
That’s the plan. It’s in Charleston sitting in a closet for the time being.
Are you looking at getting a rod/reel or just a reel? 200 for rod/reel limits your options. Honestly, I really like penn senator 4/0 for bottom fishing. I have a bunch of old made in USA ones, and one made in China. Guess which one made funny noises last time I spooled it up? Anyhow, If I had the money to buy new bottom reels right now, I’d buy the made in US senator 113 narrow because it’s although it’s only 2 oz’s lighter, the much reduced line capacity makes it relatively even lighter. Narrow body makes it easier to reel and thumb line too… Helpful for sneaking critters past the men in grey suits faster. Also I find I never find that I need as much line capacity while bottom fishing as a full bodied senator provides. Pretty sure bass pro carries those although you may have to order them from their website
Jtsnake is talking about live bait fishing in a rod holder ( big grouper, Red snapper when in season, and you are going to also pick up the ever present big shark) that is why the big rod and larger senator. For chicken rig with squid bottom fishing, yes this setup is way too heavy. I use TLD 15’s for that.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
Thanks for the replies. If I go the spinning route, I already have the trevala xxh to put a new reel on. The current spheros 14000FH that is on that rod is 15 years old and I can’t find the parts to make it like new. Does anyone have any experience with the Spheros SW 20000? Too big for that rod? If I go the conventional route, I would have to buy a new reel and then pick up a new rod later. Not a deal breaker, but I’d prefer to replace my old spheros if I can.
Spheros 20k is massive. Also I will sell you a custom rod for price of a trevala just to prevent you from buying one of those. I use a 6k stella for bottom fishing somedays, even that is more than enough capacity.
Check out truth reels. Amazing amount of drag in the small reels. Make sure to check out the upgrades feature. Haddrells will be carrying them soon
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quote:
Originally posted by FishingDuoSpheros 20k is massive. Also I will sell you a custom rod for price of a trevala just to prevent you from buying one of those. I use a 6k stella for bottom fishing somedays, even that is more than enough capacity.
I figured the 20k was a little big considering my 12k is a tank. Problem is, I have the trevala already so I needed something to pair it with. Thanks for the custom rod suggestion, maybe I’ll take you up on it! Was really looking for the 10k, but may have to settle on the 8k. Could do double duty if I picked up a longer rod for pitching jigs and poppers. My problem is that I need another 15-20 setups to cover my bases, but that’s not in the cards at the moment. I’ll probably go bent butt and 2 speed conventional on the next one.
I recently got a BP sale flier with an Oceanmaster lever drag reel for about $100 Its made by Offshore Angler and seems to be a 25 series reel that looks similar to a TLD25. Good price but I have no idea if it’s a good reel or junk. Anybody ever had one?
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