SL20SH Frame Install

SoCalAngler · May 03, 2014, 12:09:35 AM

Ok, spooled up the reel today and got 250 yards of 50lb Izorline spectra on the spool which fills it up full.

Testing the drags I'm getting 16lbs of usable drag. I do get more but I say usable drag because after 16lbs the drag ramps up very fast with minimal movement of the star.

While at the tackle shop I tried 3 clamp assemblies. First the Daiwa and Tiburon TCU-M are to wide to fit the SL20SH frame. The way the frame was designed where the gearbox and bottom of the frame come together there is a 45 degree section connecting where the two meet. This 45 degree area is where the issue is, if it was a strait 90 degrees either clamp would fit. Lastly I tried Tiburon's new clamp for the Lexa reels, sorry I don't have the model number. The width is perfect and slides in missing the 45 degree area but sadly the the length is about 1/8th inch longer than SCFH's reel foot bar. This clamp would work when tightened onto a rod with a reel seat for added security but could allow the reel to move around on a deckhand style rod.

I'll be mounting this reel on a rod with a reel seat but didn't like that the clamp was not a perfect fit so I didn't buy one. I will keep an eye out for a better solution.

Ron Jones · May 03, 2014, 03:57:37 AM

Cool,
I'm guessing mine from Mike's isn't coming...it hasn't got here and I haven't heard from them. I have just bought a backbone fore my Newelled 180 and will buy one for my Pacifica and my SLH. I am really happy with the backbone and you can't beat the price. I'll spool my 20SHV with 30 PP and 30 mono on top and be happy with the stock frame.

Thanks SoCal, between the frame and the Tib clamp I'm saving $75.00!!
Ron

SoCalAngler · May 03, 2014, 04:49:29 AM

I wouldn't pass up the frame because I couldn't find a clamp assembly since the reel is not going on a deckhand style rod. The clamp is there mainly to protect against the failure of the reels foot and on a metal frame reel with the foot machined on and not screwed or riveted on that failure is very unlikely to happen. Now if I couldn't get a clamp on a graphite frame to help releave some of the load on the reel foot I'd be a somewhat more worried.

SoCalAngler · May 11, 2014, 05:54:35 AM

Bump for the handle update.

LTM · May 13, 2014, 08:53:52 PM

SoCal,

Please show pictures of the mod to the Tiburon handle quote below:

I added a new Tiburon handle today to finish off this reel. The handle comes with a screw that I thought would either work with the Daiwa handle nutcap or hold the handle nut in place without the nutcap. Neither was the case, once the handle nut is installed the screw hole is to far away to stop the nut from turning when the screw is installed. With the nutcap installed the screw hole does not line up without some modification to the nutcap. The nutcap hole must be moved closer to the handle nut by about a 1/32" also the area where the screwhead stops on the nutcap must be plunged deeper do to the shorter screw from Tiburon. Lastly the through hole in the nutcap must be made larger to fit the new wider screw.
A little roto tool work and all is well.

Thanx,

Leo

SoCalAngler · May 14, 2014, 05:34:08 AM

These are before I cleaned the grease off.

LTM · May 15, 2014, 06:25:24 PM

Thanx SoCal.

You know, you might try the handle nut and stamped locking collar from a Torium (threads/shaft the same). Dont go with Daiwa hardware, its just too high the Shimano parts are considerably cheaper! Ive was upgrading most of my handles and found the shaft pattern and threads on my Daiwa's the same as my Shimano's FYI. Thanx for the pictures SoCal.

Leo

SoCalAngler · May 16, 2014, 05:52:20 AM

Thanks for the heads up but on my 2 Shimano reels, a TLD15 which is retired or used as a loner and my TLD 30II which I have switched as many parts as I can, is the only place I'd use Shimano parts.

monkutare · May 20, 2014, 08:28:25 PM

Which Shimano handles are compatible with the SL's. Mine are all corroded where the nut holds the handle on the driveshaft.

Also where'd you buy that Tib handle from?

SoCalAngler · May 21, 2014, 02:07:28 AM

Not sure about the Shimano handles that fit the SL/SH's but on my TLD 15 I did switch to a Torium handle, I like the rubber knob better of the Torium. Did this swap about 10 years ago though.

I'm in southern California and many tackle shops have them here. I got mine at Charkbait, but The Longfin, Sav-On, Fishermans Access all have them and I think Melton's has them as well.

redfish12 · May 22, 2014, 01:13:13 AM

I wish they made this reel in left hand!!

SoCalAngler · July 27, 2014, 05:03:41 AM

Ok a little of a update on how the reel works. I fished Mexican waters from about 85 to 120 miles south of Point Loma a couple weeks ago right before the BFT closure. The boat only caught 30 BFT which 2 went close to 70lbs, not mine. Most of the BFT were in the 30-40lb class and I caught 2 around 35lbs on the converted reel. I switched the spectra before the trip to 40lb so I could get 300 yards on the reel, I really like this yardage when BFT are around because sometimes larger models are below the smaller schoolie fish. Both of my fish on this reel were on plastic swimbaits with leadheads. I used a Calstar BWC 970 rod and a short topper of around 6-7 feet of fluoro over the spectra. Both fish came right to the boat in good time even with the 6:1 gearing this reel has. All in all I'm very happy with the conversion. I did manage one more BFT tuna around 30lbs on 25lb test and a 8' rod on another setup using live bait and one other small, around 12lb YFT on the troll.

spize909 · April 22, 2015, 03:04:31 PM

FYI, I just ordered an SL20 kit with provisions for a clamp AND it has a CLICKER!
They are considerably more expensive then the previous frames though.

I love my old SL. I've had it for at least 20 years and have caught all types of local and offshore fish with it. I could have just bought a new reel but figured I owed it to this one to give it new life. It's always been my 20lb go to....I think now it'll be 40 or 50lb braid to FC.

Joel.B · May 03, 2015, 09:04:56 PM

Oh man that kit is sweeeeeeeeet

Heisenberg · May 05, 2015, 02:52:00 AM

Hey guys,

I had to sign up as I stumbled upon this thread. I really like this frame but as someone mentioned, the cost has gone up. Does anyone have any older ones they could part with as I don't need a clicker and this reel will be used on a rod with a reel seat. Also, did the overall weight of the reel increase/decrease?

Thanks,
Dan