So I’m looking for some basic trolling gear. I have Toriums and Diawa BGs for bottom fishing. I’ve read many treads and know that the TLD25 is a top local trolling choice. I would like to get some Penn Squalls (maybe a Fathom). My question focuses on line capacity.
With my Sailfish 245DC, and only fishing spring and fall out of Edisto (maybe FL panhandle 1 week per summer) and Clarks hill stripers. With my wife, kids, and other inexperienced peeps (self included) frequently on board, I would like to go with lower weight reels for easier handling. My target catch would be mahi (and maybe Spanish and Kings?).
I’m favoring the squall 40LD, but its line cap is 330y @30# mono (or 490@25#). Is this enough capacity (w/o going to braid underneath) to catch 90% of the fish I’d expect to hookup?
With the 40LD am I better off with 490y of 25# or 330 30# mono?
FYI the 50LD jumps up to 500y of 30#, but the family might struggle more with the size??
I’m also looking at the Fathom 30 or 40N 2 speeds (again for family ease of use). Very lite and similar capacity as the 40LD single.
Those seem light. TLD 25 holds somewhere around 600 yards of 30. Want to make sure you have enough in case a big Hoo hits. You can get upgraded handles for around $25 on ebay which is well worth the money. The TLD handles suck on anything less than a 30.
I don’t know much, but I’m not so sure. The Squall LDs use a different sizing nomenclature (like the internationals or something?).
For instance - a Squall 50LD is a little smaller than a TLD25.
I agree. I get the impression you aren’t going to be offshore that much. 300 yds of 30lb will handle 90% of the “mahi” you will catch. It will also handle those brute Spanish and the CH striper, and will be easier to handle by kids (something you mentioned). You like the squall; levelwind or no? Levelwind is much easier for the inexperienced you mentioned, but boy can that little windie thing go fast when hit trolling. Might not hold up. Anyhow, sounds like you got it. Be safe out there.
I use Torium 30 on 7’ live bait rod for both live bait slow speed trolling and bottom fishing. Works great. 330 yards of 40lb seems to be enough to kings.
Also have a Squall 40 LD (325yd 40lb) and Fathom 30LD2 (300 yd 30lb.) on roller rods for trolling lures for mahi. I like the Fathom best but all work well. Lever drag can be a pain for the inexperienced, they tend not to mess with the drags as much on a star drag.
Fathom 60 is more like a TLD 25 size-wise. 2 speed may not be necessary if you are not going past the reefs.
