Reel for Drifting to BlueFin Tuna

[marc77]

Leonard

What part of Italy do you live in?

The reason that I ask is that I have some aluminum frame 50w reels that I no longer use.  They are in excellent condition and I can drop one off to you for free.  The next time I go to Italy for business or to visit my relatives, if it is not too far from you,  you can meet me at the airport in Rome and I will give you the reel.

Saluti

[alantani]

shields come off and stay off.  nothing you do will make them last forever, unless you re-lube them everytime you fish. 

[Alto Mare]

Scratch my offer Leonard, I thought you wouldn't have been able to get replacement parts there and money was very limited. My reels don't require much to maintain, they don't have the bells and whistles as the ones mentioned, but they would surely get the job done. Good luck on your search, I'm sure you will get what you're looking for, these guys will set you straight.

Nice going Mark.... this only happens here

[Mr.Grinta]

Leonard

What part of Italy do you live in?

The reason that I ask is that I have some aluminum frame 50w reels that I no longer use.  They are in excellent condition and I can drop one off to you for free.  The next time I go to Italy for business or to visit my relatives, if it is not too far from you,  you can meet me at the airport in Rome and I will give you the reel.

Saluti

Hi Marc77,
What can I say? are struggling for your kindness and generosity!
I live near the airport of Rome (Leonardo Da Vinci Airport).
How can I repay you? I can accompany you from your family or wherever you need to go!
Or can I do something for you.
So I would like to be able to do something for as a sign of gratitude to your generosity.
Can I ask which reel 50W you have?
And Can I ask where you have to go?
Let me know.
Best Regards
Leonard

[marc77]

Leonard:

The reel I can give you is a Shimano Triton Trolling Series 50W.  It is a one speed lever drag reel.  It has the same line capacity as the Tiagra 50W.  It does the same thing as the Tiagra, except that it is one speed and not two.  I caught many tuna, sharks and swordfish with these reels.  They are very strong and dependable.

You do not have to do anything for me.  The next time I go to Italy, possibly this summer, I will contact you and you can meet me at the airport.

Saluti

[Mr.Grinta]

Leonard:

The reel I can give you is a Shimano Triton Trolling Series 50W.  It is a one speed lever drag reel.  It has the same line capacity as the Tiagra 50W.  It does the same thing as the Tiagra, except that it is one speed and not two.  I caught many tuna, sharks and swordfish with these reels.  They are very strong and dependable.

You do not have to do anything for me.  The next time I go to Italy, possibly this summer, I will contact you and you can meet me at the airport.

Saluti

Hi Marc77,
many thanks! I'll accept the gift and I'll do something for you 
Now I'll still search one reel for next June 15, when in Italy opening tuna fishing.
best regards
leonard

[marc77]

Leonard:

Do you have any relatives in the U.S. that will be going to Italy within the next couple of months?  If so, I can send my reel to your relatives and they can bring it to you.

If I knew that the reel would get to you, I would mail it.  However, I know from past experience that if I mail it, you will not receive it.

With regard to your TLD 30, I would not use it for medium bluefin tuna.  The frame will break.  Also, if you intend to use straight mono line, you will probably get spooled.  If you need a reel right away, and if you are bait fishing, buy a good 6/0 wide or 9/0 star drag reel.  For bait fishing, the older Penn Senator 114HLW with the aluminum full or one-half frame is a good choice.  The are inexpensive, light weight (compared to a 50W lever drag), dependable and hold plenty of 80 or 100# mono line.  Over the past 34 years, I used many reels for bait fishing medium bluefins.  The 114HLW is still my favorite.

If you are jigging them, you will need a lighter reel.  The Penn Senator 114 (black side plates with an aluminum, topless, after market frame) is good.

Medium bluefins are strong fish.  They usually make a long first run.  Unlike yellowfin, bigeye and albacore, bluefins will give up at the end of the fight.  But before you get them to that point, they will have stressed your tackle.  You need a good reel with at least 250 meters of 80 or 100 # test line.  

Saluti

[Mr.Grinta]

Leonard:

Do you have any relatives in the U.S. that will be going to Italy within the next couple of months?  If so, I can send my reel to your relatives and they can bring it to you.

If I knew that the reel would get to you, I would mail it.  However, I know from past experience that if I mail it, you will not receive it.

With regard to your TLD 30, I would not use it for medium bluefin tuna.  The frame will break.  Also, if you intend to use straight mono line, you will probably get spooled.  If you need a reel right away, and if you are bait fishing, buy a good 6/0 wide or 9/0 star drag reel.  For bait fishing, the older Penn Senator 114HLW with the aluminum full or one-half frame is a good choice.  The are inexpensive, light weight (compared to a 50W lever drag), dependable and hold plenty of 80 or 100# mono line.  Over the past 34 years, I used many reels for bait fishing medium bluefins.  The 114HLW is still my favorite.

If you are jigging them, you will need a lighter reel.  The Penn Senator 114 (black side plates with an aluminum, topless, after market frame) is good.

Medium bluefins are strong fish.  They usually make a long first run.  Unlike yellowfin, bigeye and albacore, bluefins will give up at the end of the fight.  But before you get them to that point, they will have stressed your tackle.  You need a good reel with at least 250 meters of 80 or 100 # test line.  

Saluti

Hi Marc77,
I'll ask to my sister, she work in Alitalia. She will find her colleague that go in U.S.A.
Where you live?

In your opinion how is the Penn Squall 50 VSW? Here many peoples talk about it very well.
Therefore many many thanks! I'll find who came from U.S.A. and I'll tell you.
So...it is incredible!
But I say to you that now you have a friend in Italy in Rome. This friend is called Leonard.

best regards
leonard

[marc77]

Leonard

I live in Connecticut.  It is a small state located between New York and Boston.

I cannot give you an opinion regarding the Penn Squall, because I do not have one. 

Of the two speed 50 size lever drag reels, I have Tiagra and Fin-Nor.  I used them for many years and both are excellent.  I have friends which use Penn Internationals and Alutecnos and they are also fine. 

Buy what you like.  But make sure that it has an aluminum frame and that you can get parts to service the reel.

Let me know who you want me to send or bring this Shimano TTS so they can bring it to you.

Saluti

[marc77]

Leonard

I just went to the Penn website and saw the specifications for the Penn Squall reels.  It has a graphite frame.  I never liked graphite frames on big game reels. 

Save your money.  Wait until you get the reel that I will send you.  It is more than you will need for medium blue fins.  Today, I lubricated it and installed a new titanium drag washer.  It has a reel colors strong arm handle and an accurate rod clamp.

If after you get my reel, you still want a two speed reel, get a Tiagra.

Saluti

[Mr.Grinta]

shields come off and stay off.  nothing you do will make them last forever, unless you re-lube them everytime you fish. 

Hi Alan,
so if I understand correctly, the shields are removed and then leave the bearings without shields?
Also, in your opinion, which rell has the best mechanical?
Thanks Alan

leonard

[Reinaard van der Vossen]

Grinta,

You live in alutecnos and everoll country. If you need the reel fast and cannot wait for the reel to arrive from the usa there must be a way to borrow one or find an old one which is serviceable.

I was tempted to look for an old everoll in italy but don't speak italian and that made searching difficult.

I bought an Okuma makaira 50 w instead and hope to test it on bft

[Rivverrat]

Leonard, it's great to have you here. What ever reel you end up with be sure to post pics of your outings using it. Very nice of you Mark... Jeff

[Donnyboat]

Leonardo, a Penn Senator 114H, will hold 500 M of 80Lbs braid & still have room for plenty of mono leader, the parts in a 114H are the same as a 9/0, but the 114 is easier to wind, cheers Don. & welcome to the forum.

[Jim Fujitani]

Leonard,

If you are familiar with servicing your TLD30II reel, I would consider the the metal frame upgrade.  Upgrading the frame, drags, and drag plate, should cost less than a new reel (maybe around $250?).

Good luck with your search, your decisions, and your fishing!