505HS for big fish?

[Porthos]

x2 what Mel said. It's not all about out-muscling the fish; it requires technique and you willing to let the drag do it's job.

The TR200G with 10lbs drag can do a lot. If properly loaded with 65lb braid you could get 400+ yds with a top shot of 30lb mono/fluoro. As long as you keep the level wind in sync, the sideways stress from the line on the worm gear will be minimized and prevent any premature wear (i.e., premature failure).

I pulled in a 50+lb BFT a few years ago on a 4.25:1 Penn 970


...that had 350+yds of 50lb braid, and only set at 9lbs drag:
https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/tribute-7-19-7-21-1-5-day-took-home-1-fish.505359/

Have done 30-40lb YT with smaller, upgraded Penn 27 (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=15627.0)


...and Daiwa 30H (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=13484.0)


...(both w/ 50lb braid, 40lb top shots, 12lbs drag) on the Alan Tani SOA charters. The 2016 one here was with the 30H:


Either the TR200G and certainly the 4.2:1 50H would have worked equally well if not better. Would I want to take on the "...30 pound gag, 50 pound AJ, or 20 pound kingfish on the TR..." 50H, or any of my "smaller" reels?  Happily so with no hesitations.

[Alto Mare]

Great pic on that last one Wai, I don't remember seeing it.

[Porthos]

Great pic on that last one Wai, I don't remember seeing it.

And I think that is Alan in center of photo background at the stern...

[akfish]

On the Shimano TR200G: I see lots of them up here; they are quite popular as salmon trolling reels. I can't imagine they could really fish 10# of drag comfortably. I install carbon fiber drag washers so they're quite smooth, but more than a few come in with bad level winds. I suspect this is caused by frame torque at higher drag pressure. I do like the reel especially with carbon fiber drag washers, but really consider it a light line salmon reel.

[biggiesmalls]

Thanks everyone for the help. I think I'll load it up with some 65# braid, as with the Abu, and then a topshot of 20-30 pound mono. Any ideas on how to get braid for cheap? Need to buy some braid for the 50H as well, heavier stuff though - 80 or 100 pound test.

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

also use your rod, always have/maintain a bend on it keeping in mind not to high stick it. last but not least...

tight lines!

btw use the same outfit for a while until it "becomes part of you".

[Ron Jones]

I think the original hundred dollar idea will make a solid reel. The 501 stand can take a lot of abuse, as proven on thousands of 349s. The cross bars are already stronger that posts to help the stand out. The stainless 5:1 gears in Jigmasters have turned in HUGE drag numbers with few issues that seem to be mostly worked out. I see no reason why you couldn't fish the reel with all the drag the 5 stack will give you and be fine. I'm thinking 20# of smooth drag for a 60# braid reel and the 501 has the capacity for that easy. Lots of really big fish have been caught on #60 braid and 20# of drag.

Just my $.02
Ron