New to this game. Finished a Cortez 9/0 that I want to fish. Going to Mexico in May and want to use it. Rod? Line set-up? Reel has all the goodies with insert. Feedback is appreciated?
Thanks!
First no pictures?? What do you plan to fish for?
Well I suspect it will be used for trolling in Mexico first.
That came out very nice,the classic black on black.That's a nice handle too.
Any good tackle shops where you can go pull on some rods? When it comes to heavier gear the way the handle is set up becomes important, the lengths of the grips and that kind of thing. In the perfect world you could go to one of the tackle shows and see what is available. A lot of good rods out there, Hard to say one is "better" than another, a lot depends on personal preference. Cal-star,Seeker, Untied Composites as well as some others make good rods. Heard good things about Black Hole too but never seen one around here. With lighter gear it's easy to overlook handle dimensions, an hour in on a big fish a few inches here and there matters. Anyone close by maybe with a big quiver to get some ideas?
Quote from: steelhead_killer on January 20, 2019, 02:28:56 AM
Well I suspect it will be used for trolling in Mexico first.
Question, where in Mexico and what will you be targeting in May. Baja is not the best in May. See the link to the fishing calendar. Dominick
https://sites.google.com/site/mexicowiki/industry-spotlight-1/fishing-and-boating/fishing-charters-1/fishing
Dominick we have a company trip to Cozumel on the other side of Mexico in May. They did not consult with me on the optimum fishing times before scheduling the trip. :( At least it's free! More money to fish I say.
Great build Andy! That's a beast! A stock 9/0 is an 60-80lb mono reel. A fully built one, IMO is a waste without something like 130lb braid with 100lb topshot. Not sure what drag set you put in but I recall Sal actually made 75 lbs on a 9/0 with some SS goodies-way more than any normal person can hold onto fishing standup in a bouncing boat.
Rods: chair or standup is really your main question here...if it were me I'd find a 6', 50-130 standup rod. Penn makes one in the International series that will look great with the black build. You can put it on a broomstick blank if you choose but I prefer some fast tip flex- works the fish and fun on a smaller fish with enough enough in the tank to go big. Of course the brands offered above all have proven themselves. That said, last I recall you moved inland a far piece- so if youre not goingt to use the rig that often an $80 Billfisher may work just fine. My friends and I have several amongst the boats and beat on them pretty hard. I know Daron has at least one or more.
Quote from: steelhead_killer on January 20, 2019, 10:10:42 PM
Dominick we have a company trip to Cozumel on the other side of Mexico in May. They did not consult with me on the optimum fishing times before scheduling the trip. :( At least it's free! More money to fish I say.
Then you are looking good in May. Check this calendar for Cozumel. Dominick https://www.fishingcozumel.net/fishing-calendar.htm
Good looking build Andy. I've got a medium fast 6.5' spiral wrap in the 60-100 lb range custom made locally. I've used it once but didn't catch anything big enough to really put it to the test. I'd love to get some feedback on it, you're welcome to try it out since I'm local to you. I'll PM you with details if interested.
Quote from: steelhead_killer on January 20, 2019, 10:10:42 PM
They did not consult with me on the optimum fishing times before scheduling the trip.
What were they thinking.
Awesome reel Andy!
Quote from: thorhammer on January 20, 2019, 10:12:39 PM
Rods: chair or standup is really your main question here...if it were me I'd find a 6', 50-130 standup rod. Penn makes one in the International series that will look great with the black build. You can put it on a broomstick blank if you choose but I prefer some fast tip flex- works the fish and fun on a smaller fish with enough enough in the tank to go big. Of course the brands offered above all have proven themselves. That said, last I recall you moved inland a far piece- so if youre not goingt to use the rig that often an $80 Billfisher may work just fine. My friends and I have several amongst the boats and beat on them pretty hard. I know Daron has at least one or more.
I hate when guys recomended me expensive toys and now Im doing the same ;D
but that beast with Tom's plates and all the SS goodies inside deserve something similar in quiality and bling, if you have seen my lastest rod built it was a Seeker composite 6" 60-130 line, so, without getting much technical the sweet spot is fishing it as 80-90lb rod, the blank is composite and the tip have a soft flex of the glass material, which will be enough to detect small fish or have a nice bend on big fish softer on your back, I build it thinking on using it with my two "big drag" reels, if I want to go "light" and use braid line I will be using my makaira 15 which is full of 100# braid mostly for abrasion purposes, the other reel I'll be using on that rod is a daiwa sealine 900H which is pretty similar in size to your penn 9/0, mine is stock only with the drag upgraded with alantani carbontex kit, on that reel (still no spool it) Im thinking on using 300yds of 100# braid as backing and fill it with 100# mono, but now I found a penn 12/0 and once finished will be on that rod too as well 100# braid as backing and the rest 130# mono.
Im not selling it, just giving you my opinion on a composite Seeker 6", a Calstar blank on the same specs 6" 60-130line is a monster of a blank, its lighter than the seeker but the recoil is harder (like extra fast action), I dont know if it will shine as trolling rod but I think it would be a great bait rod.
seeker has my vote as nice trolling rod.
Quote from: Jeffro on January 21, 2019, 12:44:50 AM
Good looking build Andy. I've got a medium fast 6.5' spiral wrap in the 60-100 lb range custom made locally. I've used it once but didn't catch anything big enough to really put it to the test. I'd love to get some feedback on it, you're welcome to try it out since I'm local to you. I'll PM you with details if interested.
Now that is a deal from the Ohana. Go for it. If you like it you can always buy one or something else if it is not to your liking. Dominick
Thanks for everyone's feedback.
Andy
Andy,
Great looking reel you built! Where did you get the handle arm from?
Thanks,
Darin
Depending on the drag numbers, in Florida or the Bahamas I would use it as a high speed Wahoo trolling reel with a bent butt rod. Not sure if the Pangas have flush mount rod holders capable of holding rods for that type of fishing though. IMO, it would be a bit heavy for stand up unless you were harnessed up.
Nice reel though.
BTW, that type of fishing (high speed trolling 10-20 knots) works everywhere in the world for many pelagics but the Pangaros aren't used to it and may question your sanity. ::)
Scott
Adam at Motive Fab made that one! I used the boss's large knob on it. Seems to work well.
Quote from: Darin Crofton on January 27, 2019, 10:39:11 PM
Andy,
Great looking reel you built! Where did you get the handle arm from?
Thanks,
Darin
Quote from: steelhead_killer on January 28, 2019, 01:24:30 AM
Adam at Motive Fab made that one! I used the boss's large knob on it. Seems to work well.
Quote from: Darin Crofton on January 27, 2019, 10:39:11 PM
Andy,
Great looking reel you built! Where did you get the handle arm from?
Thanks,
Darin
Thanks, Andy, I figured it was from him, hopefully he'll have time soon to make some new handles, stars and drag kits...