Which Penn 50 is best?

[rebait1]

I am fishing for BFT off of NJ, which has included Giants Have 3 50 wides and need to understand a differences between these 2 in heavy battle.

So i have 2 V's  Penn and 1 VISW. Anyway  I think they are called V's and VISW's. Which one is stronger?... Yes i know original second generation TW's are bullet proof but I sold mine.

I'm spooled with 80 hi catch and am getting ready to spool 100 diamond on as top shot. Trying to figure out which reel I'm going to use on which rod. When the V's came out they got a bad reputation out of PEI giant fishing. I PRESUME they VISW are better?...and maybe a little lighter??

Ps I am haunted by a fight I once witnessed where an 80 could not beat a gbft. It was down 50' and not coming up one inch....But going 70's much less 80's w matching rods isn't going to happen. I'm stand up only, and on a  26' inboard so its not like this GBFT is an ongoing concern. I just want to gear up correctly to the best of my ability.







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[Squidder Bidder]

I think I recall that the justification for the VI series was to machine more excess weight out of the Internationals, at least on the larger reels like the 50s. It looks like the VI is about 8oz lighter than its predecessor. Drag specs seem to be similar with a 45# max. Keep in mind that there is also a new, open top International VI series (the VISX), which goes from the smaller reels through the 50VISX (No 70 through 130); it has a max drag at full of 65#.

With regard to the giants, I've been talking to Captains who have caught them this spring and belong to a certain New Jersey based "coaching service." The standard issue for chasing these giants is 80W; the fish are in 30-80 feet of water, so they don't have anywhere to go but out and away when hooked. Keep in mind that you're going to be trolling your way backs at about 200+ yards before you get bit. Also, the giant/trophy fish quota for the North region is expected to close any minute now.

[rebait1]

All great points. My friend had a 462lb on Saturday....on an 80 Tiagra. 3 hours of hell!!

 Last Dec we had a 300 and a 500 to the boat and had to let them both go....so...I was just checking allocations yesterday. If it is still open (I cant tell)....GBFT will be closed very shortly.

[Squidder Bidder]

I think you could get away with a 50W, although you may be in a position of chasing the fish and a true giant may be a reel ( ) challenge.