Does this qualify as a reel?

[Ron Jones]

If it doesn't hold line then it is a capstain. I am sure it is what the crab boats use. I don't believe it makes it as a reel.
Ronald

[erikpowell]

When I first got to Fiji in 05 and really started fishing and delving into reels I got duped   into buying 4 shiny new blue anodized 30W 2speed Wright & Mcgill reels from a friend of friends who was the rep. They were pre production reels and soon to be released so the boys were hyping them and brought em down to fiji to test for a month. they looked really gooood   on our boat so the offer came to me to buy the 4 outfits for a couple hundred bucks apiece...

Well, the WM rods are sweet! and I still fish them regularly... But there's a reason their big game reels never got released  

So a couple months later after all the reels seized up, I had to unspool four x 1000yd reels ( 3 with braid... $$) so I could send them back as failed. This exercise would seriously cut into beer time so I brainstormed...  a beer or two later...Boom.

We jacked up the rearend of the company pickup, threw on a spare rim and whaa laa .. Hang On! with a beer in one hand we had all four of those reels unspooled in like 15 minutes... and a crappy rim now worth a few hundred bucks  

Well I never got any money back on the deal... but i did receive an avet pro ex 4/0-2 for my troubles from the rep
And that Avet and 5' 80lb WM tuna stick are to this day my go to short corner rig.

Now.. that's how we unspool big reels here...... AND... That's how I came to know our host & mentor Alan ....and all you guys too...

that rim is still somewhere in the shed... and now i sideline by fixing other peoples crusty gear... hahahahahhaa !

Welcome to the darkside eh??  

Thanks to everyone here for you input, wisdom,camaraderie, and laughs !

Vinaka & cheers,

Erik

[Dominick]

BINGO!  The prize goes to Ron.  It is a capstan.  I did not remember the word until your post.  There used to be a capstan winch on a rigging truck I worked on when I was a teenager.  I learned how to move very heavy electric dynamos bolted to wooden skids.  I can move most anything with a Johnson Bar, pipes, hydraulic jacks, etc. and not break a sweat.  I had forgotten another of the jobs I had over the years.  Dominick

[Ron Jones]

Well, I use a capstan whenever I do an unassisted landing of a submarine, and for some reason they always need maintenance. So I here the word basically every day.

Ron

[Makule]

unassisted landing of a submarine

What do you use to gaff it?  Must be an awfully large hook.

[Dominick]

unassisted landing of a submarine

What do you use to gaff it?  Must be an awfully large hook.

  what do you use for bait?  Dominick

[redsetta]

You have to understand it is hard for an Italian to explain something without you all seeing my hands. 

Now that is a classic quote
Great stuff Dominick

[Ron Jones]

 what do you use for bait?  Dominick

We normally use surface ships. We run around with a scope up to lure them in and then take them out with a torpedo!! So if you happen to see a periscope sticking out of the water turn around and pilot away at best speed!
Ron

[Makule]

I see.  It's just like with broadbill.  Harpoon them.

[Ron Jones]

I am one of the few submariners whose job it is to spend time on the scope and who knows something about fishing. When I teach kids to look for periscope masts, I tell them they are hunting for Broadbill.
Ron

[Bill B]

I know I'm late on this...but from one Italian to another...you know how to make an Italian stutter?......tie his hands together....sorry brother...but I got family from Florence.....