Im just getting into trolling on my 24 foot everglades and would like to know what are some trolling must haves, reels, lures, etc. Also what are your favorite bottom fishing reels, maybe ones that you can troll and bottomfish with. I was looking at TLDs and Avets.
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=125922
Reference this thread for info on reels. Your budget dictates a lot but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Avets. They’re great american made reels. A lot of people’s recommendations will be influenced by brand loyalties. As Phin put it, it’s kind of a toyota/jeep/ford/Chevy kind of thing. Each company puts out good products.
For what it’s worth, I’ve heard great things about the new Penn Squall 30s and 50s. Equivalent to the TLD 30s and 50s and a bit cheaper as well, I believe.
As far as lures go, the old standby of Sea Witches and ballyhoo work well and are inexpensive. The guys at Atlantic or Haddrell’s could setbyou up with anything else you’d want.
For bottom fishing, I’ve got an Avet HX5/2 and am happy with it. 2 speeds and solid with a good drag. Just bought a pair of Penn 113HN Baja Specials that I’ll fill with 80lb braid. They’ll be used for grouper, AJs, snappers in the keys and SC, halibut and ling cod in AK and everything else everywhere n between. They’re not pretty and colorful but they’re bulletproof with a solid, proven design.
Regarding reels.
There is a thread by Phin that goes into great detail for trolling reels.
Bottom work tends to require high speed retrieve with a lot of drag. I use a Trinidad on a jigging rod of the same mfg. I also use a very large fin nor spinner on a jigging rod.
You might want to stop by haddrells point in mt. P and talk to my son justin for other suggestions.
big dog