Yaker88

Looking at getting some new gear....what brand & size spinners is everybody using? And what kinda line are you putting on them?

oxbeast1210

What type off fish will you be targeting ? For redfish/trout I use usually 2000-4000 reels they do the job well. I like 20lb braid with varying leaders depending on conditions or location.

Chris V

Daiwa or Shimano are always good choices. A good, mid-range spinner is a Shimano Spheros 8000 or 10000. The 10000 is pretty much the same size as the 8000 but has a deeper spool so your capacity is boosted. The Daiwa Saltist 4500H is another good one but hits the $200.00 mark. I've been fishing a Daiwa Exceler 4500T for a short while now and think its an awesome reel as well but have only fished it for a few months so it hasn't stood the test of time.

Of course the 2 I love the most are my Stella 8000SWPGs, but most consider that overkill for yak fishing and I don't use them but for one thing. Overkill for kings and cobia, yep. For big tarpon? Just right.

I like mono for kings. Braid for Tarpon and Cobes

Inshore there are too many to choose from.

__________________

oxbeast1210

Thanks for that chris was curious about what everyone was using offshore

FishGolfDrink

I carry 2:

2500 shimano sahara on 7' medium power fast action St Croix rod.. spooled with 10 lb suffix performance braid

4000 shimano sahara on 7' BP carbonlite medium heavy fast action rod.. spooled with 20lb suffix performance braid

The Sahara is a good value real. I think it's like 70-80$ and it has a lot of the same features as the more expensive Shimano spinners. I actually upgrade my drags to carbon fiber (that's whats in the Stellas). Only costs like 10$ per reel. I don't expect these to last a lifetime, but I know how to take it apart and replace worn components.

Whatever you decide to go with, learn how to service and maintain your reels. Especially fishing from a kayak, they will get a lot more salt/spray and corrode faster. Check out this site.. www.alantani.com - I'm a techy guy, so I like to learn about what exactly goes into the reels before I buy them, that site shows you the guts of every reel, what is good/bad about them and likely failure points.

bbarton13

Wirelessly posted (Iphone )

I like Shimano reels, but for the price some of the penn reels work very well and last. They are also very easy to get parts for. The penn battle series are very nice and the conquers. I have a penn 440ssg, 20# braid and a 550ssg, 30# braid.

__________________

http://hookednation.com/
https://www.gulfcoastkayakfishing.com/
gckfa on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/GCKFA?sk=wall
also support a local yak fishing clothing company at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yak-This/226733397344196

Yaker88

Shimano....I figured that would be the big one. It seems like everybody is running those shimanos. I've just never been a Shimano guy, I've always had Penn guy for offshore fishing until they sold out & I have had several problems with the company since then so I think its time to change brands.

I will look into Shimanos for sure....what do yall think about Okuma?....the Cedros line in particular?.

Flatspro

Wirelessly posted

I use all shimanos in 3000 size all loaded with 10lb suffix braid. Rods all Kistler 7ft med. I do use baitcasters on occasion and those are Abu Garcia revo Stx high speeds with 30lb suffix braid on Kistler rods as well.

__________________
Chad Skeeles
pensacolakayakcharters.com

PBTH

I basically run all Penns and have used almost all of their current series of spinners. I highly recommend the Penn Slammer series. These reels really handle kayak fishing and mine have handled repeated dousing with no water intrusion for ten years. They have large line capacities for their size and their HT100 drags are top notch. For these reasons, Slammers are quite popular with striper surf fishermen in the NE and I can't think of another fishery that is more brutal on tackle.

I have currently have a few Conquers and a battle, all of which I am extremely pleased with.

One really underrated reel is the Shimano Sienna. This is Shimano's $30 reel that you see at tackle shops and big box stores. Spool the 2500 with 10lb braid or the 4000 with 15lb braid and you'll have a smooth "sacrificial" reel that should last you 2+yrs and handle lots of fish.

Chris V

I'll ditto the Penn Slammer. I know I usually recommend a Daiwa or Shimano on this forum as well as customers in our store, but the Slammer is a rock-solid, relaible reel with a great gear system and capable of generating 30lbs of drag.

PBTH, Penn will be eliminating the Slammer and SS series after this year from what we were told in January. They are going to re-do the Slammer series and relaunch it most likely in 2013.......if the end of the world doesn't happen first. Hopefully the new Slammers can live up to the originals.

__________________