New to conventional reels

[OSIRIS631]

Good morning to everone,

I have a question Iam sure alot of folks here can help me with...I gonna be hitting Montauk in the next two weeks and was looking to fling bunker chunks out in the suds with conventional gear.  Can you folks recommend a setup that would perform nicely under those conditions.

Thank you,

John

[alantani]

boy, lots of options!  20# test?  30#?  12?  you might find some interesting reading here.  http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=290.0

[OSIRIS631]

I think 20# will give me better distance, even though for this time of year it would be nice to get the backing of 30#.  What would be your suggestion?

[Ron Jones]

We really need some boundaries here. Can you put forward a budjet and let us know what your abilities as far as casting are? 20-30 pound won't make a huge difference casting, but we need to know more.

Ron

[OSIRIS631]

Hi Ron,

As far as conventional experience I've been using an ambass 6501c for the last 10 yrs.. got 2 of them.  I do most anything with those reels from snagging bunker to casting jigs and poppers of the shore.  But I use them for fluke, seabass, porgies.  mostly small stuff.  even though I did bring in a 25 lbs striper which took a snagged bunker i was bringing in.  The reels are matched with an ugly stick 6' 6ft. stick in the light to medium range.   I would like to start using conventional setup for surf fishing in montauk.  I could see my self ringing out about $200 to 250 to start with until I master the art a little better and see if I enjoy fishing the surf with conventional more than I do spinners. I just love the way a conventional reel goes off when u have it on free spool with a bunker chunk on it, but hey that just me.. lol

Kindest regards,

John

[Alto Mare]

Hey John, nice to see you floating around the site already . Have you considered a Jigmaster 501? We have some neat stuff that could bring that reel up a notch.
A Jigmaster with Black Pearl's ss gears, Alan's ss sleeve, Bryan young drag washers kit, Irish Jigger double dog design, and Lee's ss dogs could stop anything up our way. You could grab one for @ $80 and put that much more into it, you will end up with a very nice reel.
Sal

[Ron Jones]

I absolutly agree with Sal!
The Squidders were designed for surf fishing up there, but the Jigmaster Sal described is far superior. With that reel and a 12 ft. Penn Prevail you'd be set in the surf for shure.

Ron

[saltydog]

I would recommend a jigmaster 500 and just like Sal said a 501 just a narrow jigmaster. I use my 500 for casting irons, plugs, and live bait, and with a few extra bucks some extra spools to change line. I use 20 # and 30 # line and on a 500 you really don't need spectra because I get 400 yards of 30 # on a standard spool. They are easy to work on and modify, you could go with the standard version without upgrades and be fine, but upgrade when you have the funds. Just stay away from the plastic spools.

[Bunnlevel Sharker]

A Daiwa 30 with 300yds of 3b braid to a 30lb mono topper

[Alto Mare]

Sharker, if you're talking about the Saltist, I wasn't impressed with that reel. . Every now and then I purchase reels just to check them out. The Saltist went right back in the box and I sold it again.
I can't tell you what it was that turned me off about that reel, I don't remember,  this was a year or two ago.

[Bunnlevel Sharker]

I meant a star drag, BG or sealine. A friend of mine has some of the saltiga 50 star drags, and by god if I could find em I would by em

[Ron Jones]

I have a Diawa Sealine 20SHV. Most of my fishing with it has been from a boat but I have used it peer and jetty fishing. If you are into casting it is hard to beat.

Ron

[alantani]

I have a Diawa Sealine 20SHV. Most of my fishing with it has been from a boat but I have used it peer and jetty fishing. If you are into casting it is hard to beat.

Ron

x2!

[Alto Mare]

Well, that's why we have black hair, brown, blond, red and more....
Like we say in my world: whatever floats your boat

John, don't be surprised if you'll be scratching your head after receiving all the answers .
The bottom line is on what performs and feels best to you.
Sal

[OSIRIS631]

Wow you guys are great.  A thank you to everyone for the advice.  Think Iam gonna consider going with the 500 or 501 penn.  MY dad's got a box in the garage full of jigmasters and squidders.  I never paid. them no mind thinking " hey these reels are older than scratch", but hearing you gentalmen talk about how good these reels are and how well they perform Iam in... gonna go through that box this weekend and see whats in there.. I'll let you guys know.. sure the old man wont mind making a couple of bucks and something thats just sitting around collecting dust.  So the penn being the reel that I would got with, is there any particular rod I should match it with for best performanc... thank you in advance for the advice guys.

Regards,

John