Best Lever Drag 30# Reel

Started by Paddler, August 19, 2015, 04:23:03 AM

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Paddler

Thanks, all.  I called my local tackle shop and ordered a couple of the Tiagra 30Ws.  I fished with them once a few years ago during the Washington Tuna Classic and liked them.  I'm sure they'll be fine.

handi2

You won't be sorry. I switched to Tiagra's from International's about 4 years ago. They are just better made, smoother, and trouble free. Most of my fishing is blue water trolling so they get used allot.

My son's last fish was a 200lb Blue Marlin on the 30WLRSA with 40lb test. It took a while and I had the boat going all over the place and he came to the boat 5 times before a good release.

12lbs of drag.
OCD Reel Service & Repair
Gulf Breeze, FL

Tightlines667

Quote from: handi2 on August 20, 2015, 12:31:51 AM
My son's last fish was a 200lb Blue Marlin on the 30WLRSA with 40lb test. It took a while and I had the boat going all over the place and he came to the boat 5 times before a good release.

12lbs of drag.

Now that is quite an accomplishment!

These are great reels.  As with all tools, just make sure to service them reguarily, shim as needed, and replace worn bearings, gearsets, and clicker pawls as needed.  Using these reels with worn parts, or inadequete lube can lead to prenature failure.  In the other hand, they are light, smooth, have good/smooth drags, a reliable shifting mech., and can provide years of use when taken care of.

I am a particular fan of the 50WLRS myself.
Hope springs eternal
for the consumate fishermen.

SoCalAngler

#18
Okuma MK-30, this reel is a wide 30 and the 20 is a narrow 30.

Penn SVW 30 that you already mentioned.

Avet EXW 30.

All come in gold.

EDIT woops too late.

handi2

Quote from: Tightlines666 on August 20, 2015, 02:00:27 AM
Quote from: handi2 on August 20, 2015, 12:31:51 AM
My son's last fish was a 200lb Blue Marlin on the 30WLRSA with 40lb test. It took a while and I had the boat going all over the place and he came to the boat 5 times before a good release.

12lbs of drag.

Now that is quite an accomplishment!

These are great reels.  As with all tools, just make sure to service them reguarily, shim as needed, and replace worn bearings, gearsets, and clicker pawls as needed.  Using these reels with worn parts, or inadequete lube can lead to prenature failure.  In the other hand, they are light, smooth, have good/smooth drags, a reliable shifting mech., and can provide years of use when taken care of.

I am a particular fan of the 50WLRS myself.

It was an accomplishment to be remembered. The Blue hit a Blue and White Islander/Ballyhoo combination running behind a spreader bar. The standard lure for the Gulf. We quit putting that lure on the 30's..!!

We had all the big Marlin baits on the 50W's but she didn't want that those.
OCD Reel Service & Repair
Gulf Breeze, FL

Paddler

#20
I picked up the Tiagras today.  Initial impression is they're not up to the standard of the Daiwa SLTs.  Just cosmetically for the most part.  Although, I noticed that the right sideplate on them, part#677, appears to a cast piece of metal with a gold colored coating.  The outside ring is machined, anodized aluminum, which means it's a two-piece affair.  The SLT right sideplate appears to be one piece of machined aluminum.  The polish is better on the Daiwa, the drag preset knob is nicer, etc.  I'm sure the Tiagras will be fine, but I'm a bit underwhelmed at this point.

Oops.  I just reviewed the thread on the 50W version of this reel.  The outside portion of the right sideplate is plastic???

I called and emailed Daiwa today and made the case for bringing the SLTs back.

Paddler

I took one of my SLT50Ws apart today to clean and lube.  Have to hand it to Daiwa, they hit a home run with these reels.  The dual disc drag was greased out of the box, everything was pristine inside without a hint of salt water intrusion and absolutely no corrosion.  It's the best reel I've seen in this class and makes the Tiagra look low ball.  I'll fish the Tiagras, but may look for something better.