specksnreds

I am beginning to venture further and further from the bays. Been catching a lot of kings here recently and have decided that I probably need to venture out a little more often. I'm missing out on some good fishing.

My current tackle once I leave the pass is a Torium 30on agood snapper rod and a Penn 320 LW on a 30-60 Medium w/roller tip (I don't feel like this is a great matchup).

So,I'm a big enough boy to admitdon't know a dang thing aboutrods and reels outside of inshore stuff and need some suggestions. I've never been one to buy the most expensive or high tech of things like fishing tackle, guns, etc. My dad bought me a $1,500 shotgun for X-mas one year and then proceeded to kick my butt in the back yard throwing skeet with and old 1930's Model 12 pump. I've always looked at fishing tackle the same way. I've seen dudes with a cane pole that can catch more fish in an hour than I can all day.

In anycombination of what I've already got and new gear:

I'd like to have 2 good trolling setups that are big enough to handle a occasionalDophin and/or Wahoo because I will eventually be that far out. I see it coming.

And 2 good bottom fishing setups.

Not really wanting to spend much over $250 for any one setup.

I don't know that there's anything wrong with my Torium, and I like it. Just been looking at TLD 25's, Okuma Titus (SP?) and of courseyour old school Penn Senators.

I hope I'm on the right track. Anybody got any advice they'd like to offer I'd appreciate it.

- THX

spiderjohn

We're in the same boat right now. Just starting to assemble the right stuff. Got the boat and been getting the equipment slowly. For bottom stuff, we use the Penn 113h and Penn 330 GTi LW. LW is great for younger or inexperienced fishermen since it eliminates the thumb work out.

For trolling the stuff you indicate, I would think the TLD 25 is the way to go. That would easily pull all the Ilanders with ballyhoo you want. We do have two Tiagra 30W but are looking at getting some more trolling rigs and the TLD 25 is on the list. We trolled a 5 line spread a week ago with the Tiagras, 113h's, and the shotgun was the poor old Penn 330 GTi. They all had enough drag to pull Ilanders and ballyhoo. I know from past experience though that to pull the big wahoo lures, the drag on the 113h has to be tightened all the way down at speed.

Just my inexperienced opinion. If you want to handle the trolling and the bottom fishing all in one, the TLD 25 or a 114 would probably get it all done. We pull at least 5 lines with the riggers so we need at least that many good trolling setups. Still buying....

Freespool

For trolling I wouls definetly go with the TLD.

true-king

Reels in the 25-30 size should cover your needs. TLDs are good. I also like the shimano tyrnos. We have two tyrnos 30s. Great for trolling/bottom fishing too. I think the reel is about $260.

lobsterman

There is nothing wrong with a Torium for trolling for kings and it can even handle a decent wahoo. I stay away from the old school penns unless they are the old ones. TheTLDs will also work wonders. The best way to find out what will fit you and your budget is to go to outcast or where ever you prefer and tell the person you have x amount of dollars to spend and you want such and such and have them fit your price range with the best that they can. Just don't let that Torium fool you, it is the real deal. I have cought a 4' king on my Torium 20 while jigging with no problem at all.

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Nat

Just FYI, in case you havn't seen them

there are some TLD 25 set upsin the for sale section that look like a good price

specksnreds

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I'm going to pick up a pair of TLD 25's for now and that should hopefully have me covered for a while.

I've got one more question:

Has anyone used any of the Pflueger Contender TrollingReels? I was thinking I'd get a G40L and replace the Penn 320 I've got mismatched and try one of those out.

Jarhead

What's so wrong with Penn all of the sudden? Way back when that's all anybody used and very few ever used Shimano. Now, after years of collecting penn reels they're considered junk.



Somebody told me a few years ago that some Japanese company bought them out and jacked up all the gears and whatnot but I figured he was full of it but seeing how much everybody hates Penn I'm starting to wonder what changed.



The Shimano's I've used seem nice enough but not enough to trash all my Penn Stuff.. ???? What's the deal?

biggamefishr

it would of been great if the japanese were making them...japan makes some great products......however penns are being made in china...and most of the new ones are junk

Island24

I have Two TLD 25's and I think they are good reels. Penn makes one that looks more modern for a little more money -GLD I think, but no one seems to carry the single speed and the two speed is too much for the budget. The TLD 25 has caught several Wahoo - one in excess of 40 pounds with no trouble. If you troll at faster speeds with a stretch 30 for example the drag seems to be at the upper limits. It seems like a good reel for what you describe.

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