spiderjohn

What is the real difference in fishability between 30-80 wides versus Shimano TLDs or other less glamorous (not gold and shiny) reels out there. I know everyone with the gold stuff will say buy top notch one time and it will last but it seems like for the reality of the fishing offshore around here a TLD 25 or even two speed TLD 20-30 would be just as good with lever drag. Targeting hoo, dolphin, and bigger stuff once in a while when the seas cooperate on a weekend we are down. I am leaning toward getting a real that seems reasonable and see if it gets smoked ever. I kinda like the idea of being realistic versus loading the boat with shiny tough gear that never gets a work out. Do any of you find the need for the top of the line golds on a regular basis ? I would agree that a nice looking reel set on the rocket launchers looks nice heading out of the pass but the cost seems overkill here.I am looking to buy something soon so opinions are appreciated. I am leaning toward Shimano now after visiting J&M and Sams due to ability to service versus the Avets I was looking at. That has opened a ne can of worms with the Tyrnos and TLDs compared to the Tiagras.

Xanadu

If all you're going to do is troll the edge and nipple with small lures looking for hooters and dolphin, you'll be fine with the TLD or Penn LD reels in the 30 size. If you are going to target bigger fish, then the larger reels are necessary. We've worn out 50s on fish and while we've caught big fish on 30s, why? You need to decide what you're going to be doing and start there.

Personally, I got rid of all my 30s except a couple AVETs that I never use. I've got 50s and 80s and would rather pull all bent butt 80s, but we are 99% looking for blue marlin. Anything else is bycatch. The 50 size in the TLD is a good reel and should probably fit your needs.

AVET is not high on my list though they once were. They're prone to problems and not set up so well for trolling - better for chunking - at least the 4/0 exw is. Drag increases from free to top very quickly with no room for temperance.

Reel Rowdy

The Shimano TLD 50's are excellent reels. We usually pull 4 of em along with 2 TLD 30's. Have caught everything from 107" Blue Marlin to small dolphin on em. If you stand up to fight like we do, they are much lighter than the Penn Internationals. Don't get me wrong, in my opinion the Penns are the "Gold Standard" (no punn intended) but the TLDs are fine reels too. Only negative is that the black graphite frames will take a beating from the sun if you don't take care of them. FWIW

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IC XC NIKA

Cuz

Unless you are fishing for blues, i'd just stick with either Penn LD's or Shimano TLD's in the 25/30# class. It will be all you need holding around 500yds of 40# mono. They are a lot lighter and just about the same innerds as the Gold ones. I have both but use the Penn LDs more than the Internationals.

LuckyLady

I just "upgraded" from Penn Intl. 50's to Shimano Tyrnos on Penn Mariner stand up rods in December. I believe this tackle will handle just about anything I am likely to encounter in the Gulf. They are much lighter to handle and have an excellent drag system at about half the cost of the Penn's. Good luck!!

spiderjohn

It sounds like I was getting the right feeling.I want to hunt the big fish but in reality that will be secondary due to the run it takes to get there and the time it takes. The boat will handle it but the wife won't at home with the two kids.

Now...TLD versus Tyrnos. Most talk about TLD but Tyrnos is a newer reel. Is the Tyrnos worth the extra 80 bucks. It has almost the same drag as the Tiagra at half the cost. It also has aluminum frame that won't fade like the TLD. I am leaning toward the Tyrnos 30II...33 lb drag same as Tiagra 30. I don't think I need the 50 class for the bulk of my fishing. If I decide to go big later, I'll look into the bigger stuff and probably a second mortgage with gas at $3.15/gal on land. I imagine gas at the marina is getting to about 4.50...but that is a guess.

Thanks for the info and any info on Tyrnos experience is appreciated as always.

Freespool

TLD 25 is all you need. Unless you are tournament fihsing. We have caught alot of fishon these and they hold up great.If you want to spend the extra money and get Tiagra 30's they are awesome too.

Bullshooter

I've always bought the best I could afford. I've picked up two Penn 50 Wides and a 30 Wide from unfortunate fishermen who were getting out of the fishing business. You can fish anything. Buy a Penn International and take care of it, and your son can pass it down to his son. No matter what you're fishing for, use the right sized equipment, and you'll have a blast. I use 4/Os, 6/Os, 30W, 50W and it all depends on what you're targeting. It also depends on what you're willing to lose if you hook up to that fish of a lifetime (at least fish of the summer). Get something you'll have confidence in and your battle's halfway done. Just like deer huntin' with a setup you're not comfortable with, going with, or settling for something because it's a little cheaper doesn't make sense. The only time you remember what you paid for something is when you settled for something cheaper and got disappointed.

Bullshooter

Aquasport 205 150 ETEC

Nat

Is the Tyronos better than the Torium model from shimano?

I saw it has a level wind on it . Is that good or bad?

bellafishing

We've been pulling Okuma 50W's (graphite). They're only $150 a reel and hold 750yd of 50lb mono. Nice lever drag and work pretty damn well. I've been impressed with them.

Bob