Need a flathead reel

[Topshot]

Ok guys I have been buying all my big reels lately but I neglected the reels that I actually use here in arizona for flathead fishing. I use to use abu garcia 7000ic3 but they really weren't cutting it and they're not penns lol. I need a reel that has roughly the same line capacity a little more never hurt. The big factor is I need something capable of 20-25lb of drag. Also I wanted to be able to at least put a tiburon frame on it. I was thinking about a 500 or a 505 jigmaster but would it be capable of this drag numbers??

[maxpowers]

yes but you will need to tank it out completely.  Why not fish a 113hn?

[Topshot]

yes but you will need to tank it out completely.  Why not fish a 113hn?

I was thinking about building a 113h narrow but I just don't need THAT much line capacity. Most of the season I'm only casting my baits under 100 yards. I have reels for the winter for when I need to get them farther out.

[maxpowers]

you can find a used baja special for about 150 if you look around.  since you're fishing 20 25 lbs of drags i assumed you will be using at least 60 to 80 lbs test line.  not sure you will get enough line on a penn 500 for that purpose.  the baja special is a narrowed 113h with about 30 lbs of drags out of the box.

[Topshot]

We'll I run 150lb power pro. Which is 30lb mono diamater. I mean I could probably just back it with larger mono to fill the spool a bit. And I would have the extra line if I needed it

[Ron Jones]

I fished the Colorado for cats during the non summer months when I was a kid. Our big rigs were all 112Hs. I never caught any true monsters, 35-40 pound flat heads is about our biggest, but the reels were always up for the challenge. A tibbed, all stainless, steel geared 3/0 would be perfect. If you are fishing live bait the slower grouper special would be even better. Where are you fishing?
Ron

[Topshot]

I fish a lot up here at Bartlett lake and lake pleasant. But were going to be taking a Colorado tip here in a few weeks. Probably around Blythe

[Topshot]

Just like to be ready for these bad boys. 73 pounds of pure muscle
This is my buddy jake Elbert's fish he caught just a few weeks ago at Bartlett lake. And mind you he's tipping 300lbs

[Ron Jones]

Nice fish.
We were always further South down by Winterhaven. I loved fishing off the Pilot Knob railroad bridge.
Ron

[Shark Hunter]

Wow Chris, that's a big cat! Maybe you should just spool up that 114h.

[Topshot]

I'm really leaning towards the Baja special. It's has all the features I'm looking for and it's had great reviews. Mr. Tani even called it best in class

[maxpowers]

I am adding a bit more drag capability to mine by cutting .90 mm cf drags and adding hopefully 1 to 2 more metal washers.  I think I could add at least 1 maybe 2 more to the reel.

[Topshot]

Doest it use those weird ear washers??

[maxpowers]

yeah.  The same as the penn 525MAG I think.  Alan measured them to be 1.26mm and there are 4 in there with 3 metal washers.  I think I can add at least 5 in there.  Will see if I can do 6.

[Topshot]

I think it could be done actually. If you went with 1.0 mm it would come up at just about the exact same as a 4 stack. I bet you could get it too right around 35 cranked down full.