baja sp or 6/0 hs for grouper diging.i think the 6/0 ;D but why ??? trying to help someone pick out a new reel.
I prefer the size of the Baja Special (with a Kolekar 6/0 grip) over the 6/0. How big are the grouper they are going after?
Rick
I like the Baja also unless you are going "old school" with a spool full of 100lb mono. Then you would need the capacity of the 6/0. If you are using braid with mono topshot, then Baja. With the Baja you can also deep jig comfortably.
Out of the box I'd go with the Baja Special, if you/he/she wants to upgrade/tinker then the 114H (6/0) fixed up, like Sal has shown us.
114H2 (6/0) $130.00
Tib frame and spool $200.00
SS anti reverse dogs $8.00
SS gear sleeve $25.00+
Total $363.00
113HN (Baja Spacial) $250.00
The Baja is a nice reel, but it's not in the same class as the 6/0. I would go with the 6/0 for that type of fishing. You need to take everything into consideration, not just the gears, spools and so on, the Baja's gear post is as thick as the Penn Jigmaster. I don't believe that it could handle those monsters, but you could make me a believer :-\
The Baja frame is aluminum and, I think, stronger than a standard 114 or 114H. It is **definitely** stronger than a recent 114 with a graphite frame. An older 114 with 5 metal posts, or a 114 with an aluminum frame is stronger but I'd still take a Baka personally. I've caught halibut in the 200# class with a Baja strung with straight 80# spectra. It held up fine.
You must be a tough guy Bill, not bad bringing a 200# fish to the boat with a 4.3:1 ratio. I still say that the 6/0 is a much better reel for that type of fishing, but to each its own. I'm not talking out of the box, all that reel needs is the new Tib frame that doesn't require inner rings and a ss sleeve. You could find a 114h on ebay for $80 any day, add @ $120 and you're set.
between the two, i'd go old school with a 114h narrow. given a choice, i'd go with gold two speed anything.
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 30, 2012, 11:06:03 PM
You must be a tough guy Bill, not bad bringing a 200# fish to the boat with a 4.3:1 ratio. I still say that the 6/0 is a much better reel for that type of fishing, but to each its own. I'm not talking out of the box, all that reel needs is the new Tib frame that doesn't require inner rings and a ss sleeve. You could find a 114h on ebay for $80 any day, add @ $120 and you're set.
And you will be fishing with a reel you modified, what's that worth.
Wouldn't it be a better comparison to do a 113HN Tank vs Baja Special?
Alan, most of my mid size "gold" reels, 50 and down, are blue....but the drags are greased. I've used 2 speed reels for halibut but I don't see the need, my 113HN Tank handles them well and when I lived in Alaska my halibut reels were 3.25:1 349Hs. We never kept big fish so I can't tell you how much they weighed but we cut a lot of fish loose in the 5'-6' range.
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 30, 2012, 11:06:03 PM
You must be a tough guy Bill, not bad bringing a 200# fish to the boat with a 4.3:1 ratio. I still say that the 6/0 is a much better reel for that type of fishing, but to each its own. I'm not talking out of the box, all that reel needs is the new Tib frame that doesn't require inner rings and a ss sleeve. You could find a 114h on ebay for $80 any day, add @ $120 and you're set.
I will attest to this. The "Tank" is the king and works flawlessly. So far small tuna (35lbs) but sooner or later it's going to connect with something bigger. I'll report in. Dominick
In my opinion, the 6/0 reels are just too big and heavy to fish comfortably for long durations. Unless one is fishing for massive grouper (goliath for example), I think the smaller Baja Special would be the better choice. Also, line stretch is not a good thing when it comes to grouper fishing, so braided line would be a good choice and the size of the 6/0 just isn't needed. Certainly, both will catch fish. It just comes down to what feels better in each angler's hand.
Rick
Another vote for the 113HN. I like flexibility in my gear for more than one fishing application. The Baja Special will cast great if they ever choose to fish tuna, wahoo or anything where casting may be required. Spectra backed narrow's kick azz, less wobble, lighter, easier to thumb line on the spool, cast better and the 113HN has all the newer tech built in right out of the box. You can fish what 25 lbs of drag with them? Any higher than that drag pressure I'm with the others and opt for 2 speed reels.
i though all grouper were massive! ;D
Load a Baja Special with 80lb braid and use a 15-30' 60-100lb mono (size depends on the structure you are fishing). Should be able to winch the grouper up with no problems..unless you want to go after jewfish..you are on your own with those..
113hn is what i would use but if you look around you can find a penn torque 100 for about 150 to 200 on ebay that's what i use caught a 40 inch gag and 55 inch cobia with ease. spool it to the top 65 pound braid and a short 80 pound flourocarbon leader around 6 feet
Quote from: SoCalAngler on December 01, 2012, 06:24:11 AM
Another vote for the 113HN. I like flexibility in my gear for more than one fishing application. The Baja Special will cast great if they ever choose to fish tuna, wahoo or anything where casting may be required. Spectra backed narrow's kick azz, less wobble, lighter, easier to thumb line on the spool, cast better and the 113HN has all the newer tech built in right out of the box. You can fish what 25 lbs of drag with them? Any higher than that drag pressure I'm with the others and opt for 2 speed reels.
why the 2 speed?
Being a California transplant to Florida makes me think different about a Grouper is a Grouper. Or any other fish for that matter. Most of the Grouper fishing in Florida is in shallower water than in the west. Also the bottom is also not the same as in the west. Most of the charter guys in Florida use Penn Senators. They (mostly) do not fill the reels full of line. The line is usually mono. The low gear ratio of the reel coupled with a spool that is not full gives a big advantage in turning the handle. One of Alans handles would also help with the leverage. Another option for Florida is a small reel with a low gear ratio. I use my Makaira 10SEa. The low gear, and small spool is great for grouper. The disadvantage is cost. Very heavy Spectra is a big advantage. Many Head Boats, and charter guys do not like Spectra, for bottom fishing. But if I let a regular fisherman use my Mak 10 they want one. Two of my friends have switched to a Makaira 10. If I was to pick a Grouper reel (other than a Mak 10) it would be a old black 4/0 I got on ebay.
I prefer a 113H tank or Baja over a 114h. Unless you're targeting jewfish or warsaw, the 113h is great for reds and gags. And if you're fishing 150' or less, 1 speed is fine. Star drags all the way. I haven't fished with a Baja, but it's on the shopping list. I like to palm my reels, and a narrow frame is a nice advantage.
Quite a few Gulf bottom fishermen like the Daiwa Saltist Black Gold Star or Penn Fathom Star.
Quote from: broschro on December 01, 2012, 05:42:23 PM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on December 01, 2012, 06:24:11 AM
Another vote for the 113HN. I like flexibility in my gear for more than one fishing application. The Baja Special will cast great if they ever choose to fish tuna, wahoo or anything where casting may be required. Spectra backed narrow's kick azz, less wobble, lighter, easier to thumb line on the spool, cast better and the 113HN has all the newer tech built in right out of the box. You can fish what 25 lbs of drag with them? Any higher than that drag pressure I'm with the others and opt for 2 speed reels.
why the 2 speed?
because we're old!!!!! ;D
Quote from: alantani on December 01, 2012, 10:51:30 PM
because we're old!!!!! ;D
That's why you take kids fishing! "Better check that bait, son."
Quote from: alantani on December 01, 2012, 10:51:30 PM
because we're old!!!!! ;D
Amen.... I like 113h with double dogs tib/accurate frame, Baja would be nice, have a torque 300 which will work or 113 mtl I think will work ....
BUT... I think the 500/600 bx2/dawgs would also be great.
As to Fl. headboats/charter boats. They use them because they last, easy to maintain and the are cheap. Charter boat guy will give you a better reel second time out if he sees you can respect the equimpment.... Because behind your back he calls the senators guest reels...
We fish Avets and Shimano on the charter boat I work on, my personal reels I bring are mostly Penns.
Quote from: alantani on December 01, 2012, 10:51:30 PM
because we're old!!!!! ;D
Speak for yourself, old man ;D.
Quote from: broschro on December 01, 2012, 05:42:23 PM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on December 01, 2012, 06:24:11 AM
Another vote for the 113HN. I like flexibility in my gear for more than one fishing application. The Baja Special will cast great if they ever choose to fish tuna, wahoo or anything where casting may be required. Spectra backed narrow's kick azz, less wobble, lighter, easier to thumb line on the spool, cast better and the 113HN has all the newer tech built in right out of the box. You can fish what 25 lbs of drag with them? Any higher than that drag pressure I'm with the others and opt for 2 speed reels.
why the 2 speed?
Alan kind of hit it but load up a single speed reel with 25lbs of weight and set the drags so you can crank up the weight a couple yards and see how it feels (weight out of the water). Next put a 2 speed reel on the same rod crank up the weight in high gear then drop the reel in low gear and go the same, you will have your answer. The low gear gives you way more cranking power. Like I said I like flexibility in my reels and one 2 speed reel will cover a much larger range of applications.
I fish in the Sea of Cortez a couple of times a year in the Loreto and La Paz areas and one 2 speed reel will cover a wide range of the fishing I do. I mainly fish 40 lb test and if I need to rip bombs for wahoo, fish the yoyo iron for yellowtail, bait stripped marlin or sails, crank grouper or pargo away from structure, bait tuna, catch dorado the size in my avatar one 2 speed reel will cover it all pretty well.
The Baja Special has two settings on its handle, I have mine set to it's outer setting and it offers good power. IMO no need to get a after market handle unless you want one.
One thing you have to remember is that Fl grouper are rarely over 30 lbs. It is different than dropper loop fishing on the ridge off of Baja Mexico where groupers are generally alot larger. A Baja special will work just fine for 99% of the grouper fishing in Florida. It doesn't have to be complicated.
Quote from: Normslanding on December 01, 2012, 06:43:35 PM
If I was to pick a Grouper reel (other than a Mak 10) it would be a old black 4/0 I got on ebay.
YES, NOW WE'RE TALKING! 8) Something like my narrowed black 4/0 with a 1+5 drag stack and all-steel gears/ss gear sleeve. It has the same diameter/width as a Baja Special and the 1:2 gear ratio has great cranking power. Well, at least I'd be willing to give it a try. ;D
Quote from: conchydong on December 02, 2012, 01:36:58 AM
One thing you have to remember is that Fl grouper are rarely over 30 lbs. It is different than dropper loop fishing on the ridge off of Baja Mexico where groupers are generally alot larger. A Baja special will work just fine for 99% of the grouper fishing in Florida. It doesn't have to be complicated.
Thats why my vote was for the 113HN. The 2 speed coments were directed to broschro who asked why a 2 speed?
This topic came up before, I tried to find the topic from about a year ago, but no luck. One of the members here was asking for advice on a good reel to handle those monsters down in Florida. He had some pictures up and they didn't look like no 30Lb fish :-\. I don't remenber clearly, but I believe he mentioned that anything less than a 6/0 wouldn't hold up. He also mentioned that you're only allowed to catch and release those.
Alto,
Those were Goliath Grouper A.KA. Jew Fish if memory serves me right.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on December 02, 2012, 07:45:15 AM
Alto,
Those were Goliath Grouper A.KA. Jew Fish if memory serves me right.
the goliath r all over the place they need to let us keep one a day,if you can pull one up.i will be going with a 6/0 tank for mysellf.love my 113hn tank and 113htank with all the good's.the grouper r big and will rock you up Quick!if you r not on your a game.point the rod tip at the water,and reel like you have a Million dollars on the end of the line.
If I hook a goliath, I pray my line breaks early so i can move on to another spot and save my back. And you usually know after 30 minutes of a locked down drag that the school bus parked 100' below isn't coming up.
I've seen guys target them, but I want no part of that until they open them up for legal harvest.
Quote from: coonhound on December 02, 2012, 02:55:01 PM
If I hook a goliath, I pray my line breaks early so i can move on to another spot and save my back. And you usually know after 30 minutes of a locked down drag that the school bus parked 100' below isn't coming up.
I'm with you on that.....
I would love to give it a shot with one of my custom 9/0's....maybe one day :-\.
Well I used to run a charter boat on the west coast of Floridia and most grouper there can be had with a miriade of reels.We mostly used penn squidders with 50# mono.Most of the grouper on a daily basis were between 5 and 20 pounds.Now for some of our longer trips we broke out the stock 4/0 with 80 to 100 pound mono locked down drags and some heavy sticks.Not putting the fish down or anything they don't really fight to hard after you break the bottom with them.If you don't get there head up after the initial strike they rock up and break you off,the first minute of the fight is it because that is when they put out most of there energy.Braided line is not used by most captains because most of the fisherman they get on there boats are novice and a hundred dollars worth of line can go away in a day of fishing with some of the people you get.Now Jewfish are another story all together,they are beasts.Most of them we caught were on 4/0 to 9/0 stock with heavy mono.To get the really big fish you have to get ready with the boat be harnessed up and drive the boat away to try to get the fish away from his home.But then again some of the really big ones are almost impossible on rod and reel.Alot of the offshore wrecks are full of the giants the size of VW bugs.The TANK would be a good reel for the larger grouper and maybe some medium Jewfish.Heck I caught a 500 pounder on a stock 6/0 and 50 pond mono,granted it took three hours and he was in a spot where there was nothing but a missle nosecone on the bottom and just bulldogged for two hours before he decided to come see what had him.
Salty, on the 500 pounder, would a Penn 349 have been sufficient, or did you need the line capacity of the 6/0? After all, in many ways the 349 is just a narrowed 6/0.
Line capacity is not that important with grouper,strength is.A 349 with 100# mono would be good for any grouper in shallow water alot of guys used 4/0 and 6/0 penns full of weedeater line for years when they were chasing Jewfish for money.Just remember if you want to get a jewfish to the top use a 20/0 circle hook a 6-12 OZ. slip lead and 12- 20 feet of 1000 pound aircraft cable to keep them from cutting you off,they are not hook or leader shy heck we used to use 1/2 inch rope and chain with a hook made from old ice tongs off the piers and bridges to get them.A strong rod is also a must,I would use a solid rod for them because I have seen lots of hollow rods blow up on a stubborn fish,they are one fish that will bring you to your knees if you are not ready.Use a big bait,3 to 12 pounds is pretty good alive is best but they are not picky.I caught one on a pair of shoes one time as a gag for a customer on our boat,they smelled like fish so they got eaten.
I'm checking some gears from a 113HN, can anyone tell me what the pinion is made of? I'm amazed of its size and that it could acyually handle a 200+lb fish. Has anyone had any problems with it? Your input is appreciated.
Thanks! Sal.
Sal, Per Penn "Stainless steel main and pinion gear"
http://www.pennreels.com/products/reels/conventional-reels/star-drag-reels/baja-special
I have not used mine for any 200 lb fish. I use my 113HN for 40 and 50 lb test line.
I did read about it before, the color of the pinion looks different and I wasn't sure I had the right one.
I do have the gears in hand, I'm doing a little comparison for myself.
I was surprised to see how tiny that pinion is, the ID is similar to my Surfmaster pinion :-\.
The designers must have been very smart on this one, or some are just getting lucky catching fish over 200# with it.
I'm still wondering if some have had any issues with that pinion :-\.
Thanks SoCalAngler!
Sal
The 113H wasn't as popular as other Penn reels for SE Alaska halibut but a few people I knew used them for halibut in the 5'-7' range, around 150lbs-250lbs, without gear problems. Warped spools from mono was the #1 problem.
Quote from: Alto Mare on December 17, 2012, 09:39:04 PM
I'm checking some gears from a 113HN, can anyone tell me what the pinion is made of? I'm amazed of its size and that it could acyually handle a 200+lb fish. Has anyone had any problems with it? Your input is appreciated.
Thanks! Sal.
The pinion gear in my Baja Special doesn't look at all like stainless. It has the color of a bronze alloy, or similar.
George
I don't have my Baja Special open now but I did see the color difference in the pinoin. I did read somewhere that the pinion was heat treated, maybe that's why the color difference? Call Penn I'm sure they will give you the low down. Or go over to BD's and ask on their board.
Just got off the phone with Sterling over at Penn and he said that the pinion is stainless and the color difference has due to the heat treating of the pinion.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on December 18, 2012, 07:04:11 PM
Just got off the phone with Sterling over at Penn and he said that the pinion is stainless and the color difference has due to the heat treating of the pinion.
Thanks SoCalAngler for checking and to everyone else also. I still say that there has to be a few of those pinions that went bad, to me they just look too undersized...but then again, what do I know :-\.
Great discussion, not much for me to add except perhaps to reiterate there is a big difference between Baja Grouper and Florida grouper, with Florida Goliath Grouper being something else again [most like CA black seabass before the moratorium].
For Florida grouper, the Baja Special is definitely the way to go.
For Baja grouper at "the Ridge" aboard an LR boat, or at "the Midriff Islands" aboard a panga, the "old school" way to go was 100-pound mono with a 6/0, but 80-90 percent [often 100!] of those were losing battles.
The old black-sideplate Senators with their very low IPT rate still could not compensate for a [relative] lack of drag.
With modern 2-speed reels and 130-pound line, the "losing" percentage is still above 50-percent, but at least you've got a fighting chance.
thanks, steve!
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=354.0
Quote from: Tunanorth on December 19, 2012, 05:49:21 PM
Great discussion, not much for me to add except perhaps to reiterate there is a big difference between Baja Grouper and Florida grouper, with Florida Goliath Grouper being something else again [most like CA black seabass before the moratorium].
For Florida grouper, the Baja Special is definitely the way to go.
For Baja grouper at "the Ridge" aboard an LR boat, or at "the Midriff Islands" aboard a panga, the "old school" way to go was 100-pound mono with a 6/0, but 80-90 percent [often 100!] of those were losing battles.
The old black-sideplate Senators with their very low IPT rate still could not compensate for a [relative] lack of drag.
With modern 2-speed reels and 130-pound line, the "losing" percentage is still above 50-percent, but at least you've got a fighting chance.
:-X
Quote from: alantani on December 19, 2012, 05:57:49 PM
thanks, steve!
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=354.0
It really is great to have Steve (Tuna North) on here as he is a wealth of knowledge regarding Penn reels and California fishing history. Very interesting stuff.
Quote from: Tunanorth on December 19, 2012, 05:49:21 PM
Great discussion, not much for me to add except perhaps to reiterate there is a big difference between Baja Grouper and Florida grouper, with Florida Goliath Grouper being something else again [most like CA black seabass before the moratorium].
For Florida grouper, the Baja Special is definitely the way to go.
For Baja grouper at "the Ridge" aboard an LR boat, or at "the Midriff Islands" aboard a panga, the "old school" way to go was 100-pound mono with a 6/0, but 80-90 percent [often 100!] of those were losing battles.
The old black-sideplate Senators with their very low IPT rate still could not compensate for a [relative] lack of drag.
With modern 2-speed reels and 130-pound line, the "losing" percentage is still above 50-percent, but at least you've got a fighting chance.
Hello Steve, it's always nice to see you here.
Although I always trust your judgment, I'm a little skeptical on this one :-\.
I've been checking out the Baja's parts, but have not fished the reel yet, I just don't see how it could match up to the 114H and in your statement, better.
Yes, I get it that the Baja is a great reel, but for pulling monsters from the deep when compared with the 114H, I'm not so sure.
Keep in mind, we're not talking a standard stock 114h here, most of us have some goodies in those.
This is one of those things that I will need to see with my own eyes.
All the best.
Sal
For fish this size, I would think high drag capability would be as important as gear strength. A 2 speed, twin drag comes to mind.
To hell with salmon, I gotta head south and fish some grouper!
I think we may be getting off the topic of the original question here and into a "mine's better than your's" debate. I'm not knocking anyone's 114's as I'm sure that those would have advantages over a Baja Special in certain applications. However, as Steve and others have noted in this thread, Florida grouper (red, gag, black, etc.) fishing is generally does not involve "pulling monsters from the deep". The Baja Special is more than capable of this type of fishing in a package size much smaller than a 114. I recall some pictures posted in a Shimano TLD star post on this site of a guy with a quality Florida gag grouper taken on a 20/40 TLD star with a Kolekar grip that he said worked great. I've caught plenty of nice Florida and Alabama grouper with my TLD 15/30 too.
Quote from: Westii on December 20, 2012, 04:10:14 PM
I think we may be getting off the topic of the original question here and into a "mine's better than your's" debate. I'm not knocking anyone's 114's as I'm sure that those would have advantages over a Baja Special in certain applications. However, as Steve and others have noted in this thread, Florida grouper (red, gag, black, etc.) fishing is generally does not involve "pulling monsters from the deep". The Baja Special is more than capable of this type of fishing in a package size much smaller than a 114. I recall some pictures posted in a Shimano TLD star post on this site of a guy with a quality Florida gag grouper taken on a 20/40 TLD star with a Kolekar grip that he said worked great. I've caught plenty of nice Florida and Alabama grouper with my TLD 15/30 too.
I don't believe that anyone has gone off track on this topic, I think it is all relevant to the subject matter "Baja or 6/0 for grouper diging".
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I for one believe that a 6/0 is a much better reel for this particular type of fishing.
Sal
Had to chime in on this one. Leaving tomorrow for southwest FL for grouper/snapper around the dry tortugas. I had started a thread awhile back about a rod/reel outfit specifically for Goliath grouper aka Jewfish, and got a lot of good input and wound up with two Makaira 20's on 40-100lb roller rods. These outfits are great for big fish, but as others have said sometimes you hook one that's just to big or thats got to much cover to dive in to get up. Lately if we're serious about getting one to the boat, I tie both of the Makaira's to one 400lb barrel swivel, than 6-8ft of 275lb stainless cable, and let two guys battle the same fish, usually works but sometimes there's to much cover for'em. On the other end of things this last trip I brought up a 175lb'er with a Penn 330GT2 and 30-50lb ugly stick, I just happened to hook him at the right time/right spot and had him at the surface in 3mins.
As far as all around grouper reels, the Makaira 20's are to heavy/bulky to use for long periods, they only come out for goliaths or jumbo black grouper. I currently have 2 Penn Baja specials, 2 Saltist 50's, 2 Cedros 12 star drags and a 330 or so in the lineup. Baja special is hands down my go to, IMO w/100lb braid its THE perfect grouper reel. That said the only other inkling i have is for a makaira 15 ;
Quote from: Alto Mare on December 20, 2012, 05:58:38 PM
Quote from: Westii on December 20, 2012, 04:10:14 PM
I think we may be getting off the topic of the original question here and into a "mine's better than your's" debate. I'm not knocking anyone's 114's as I'm sure that those would have advantages over a Baja Special in certain applications. However, as Steve and others have noted in this thread, Florida grouper (red, gag, black, etc.) fishing is generally does not involve "pulling monsters from the deep". The Baja Special is more than capable of this type of fishing in a package size much smaller than a 114. I recall some pictures posted in a Shimano TLD star post on this site of a guy with a quality Florida gag grouper taken on a 20/40 TLD star with a Kolekar grip that he said worked great. I've caught plenty of nice Florida and Alabama grouper with my TLD 15/30 too.
I don't believe that anyone has gone off track on this topic, I think it is all relevant to the subject matter "Baja or 6/0 for grouper diging".
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I for one believe that a 6/0 is a much better reel for this particular type of fishing.
Sal
Sal,
How often have you fished with a Baja Special? I am not trying to put you on the spot but this thread is about a 6/0 vs a 113HN. It is not about a beefed up 6/0 IMO or that would of been asked. It seems to me to be about two stock, strait out of the box reels. Maybe if others read why you think a standard Penn 6/0 vs a 113HN is a better match for fishing grouper we would be all ears. As you know compairing a stock 6/0 vs a hotrodded one is a apples to oranges match up. I know you have a good knowlege of Penn reels and the info you share is much appreciated by me, and others I suspect and I thank you for sharing it with me.
Hello SoCalAngler, no I have not fished the Baja Special, but have taken one apart. You made a good point, something that I should have paid more attention to, this is about two reels out of the box. Thanks for setting me straight. Sorry guys!....happy fishing!
Sal
I just couldn't get myself to lug around a 6/0 all day for grouper, if I'm doing that I'd rather opt for one of the gold lever drags. The one thing with bigger reels is even if they have more stopping power, they can be clumsy, and when you're really trying to put the wood to a big grouper, it's not always the best. A baja special on a 6ft acid wrapped XH seeker Hercules is my ultimate grouper killer, if I can't pull a grouper with that odds are there isn't a rod/reel out there that would.
Tight lines!
Zane
Man I face this fishery ever year and I love it. I fish out of Panama City and Destin for the big Gags every season, I also tear into the big Snapper. My goto rig is the Baja special with a penn slammer 20-50 class rod. I also fish 2 113h with tib narrow kits, accurate gears and stainless shaft. And plenty of Cals on fresh drags every year. I don't know what anyone has told u guys but the big boys are not always jewfish. I have pulled some good grouper off public wrecks, funny thing is when u do win the battle with one of these toads they usually come up with multiple hooks in their mouth. I caught one last year that had 3 hooks and was towing a clock weight also. Probably 16 ounces worth. Anyway, I have a 114h and I have thought long and hard about putting the money into a convert if I could find some 3.25 accurate gears for it. Sounds like Sal may know something I don't, my biggest problem is getting the big fish the first 10 feet before they break me off or pull me out the boat. I use 100lb braid with 80lb mono leader and about 6 to 8 ounces of weight depending on current. The big fish ratio runs about 35 percent success, it can test your patience. What kind of drag numbers can u get on a 6/0 vs a pimped 113h or a baja?
Thanks and Good Hunting
Troy
Quote from: shellbank99 on February 17, 2013, 04:07:26 AM
What kind of drag numbers can u get on a 6/0 vs a pimped 113h or a baja?
I installed 1+7 drag stacks in my 114 and 114H and they benched at 36 and 43 lbs, respectively. That is a straight pull on my digital scale. I haven't tested them on a fish.
If you start exceeding Penn's recommended maximum drag, then you should beef up your 6/0 with a full metal frame, ss gear sleeve, steel gears, and ss double dogs (I hope I'm not forgetting anything). Otherwise, it won't last long. No guarantees. ;)
I've installed Accurate and Tiburon frames on mine, but haven't completed all of the other "tank" mods, yet.
George
Troy,
In other words, a tanked 6/0 should easily pull 25-30 lb drag, which is 1/3 the breaking strength of your 80-100 lb line.
George
George,
Thanks for the info, u have one u want to sell? I built both of my 113h Yts but the accurate gears for the 114h are like the holy grail of gears. Can't find them anywhere. I did read on this site that someone was working on getting them produced again. Sounds like Sal has some, maybe he has one he would part with.
Thanks,
Troy
Quote from: shellbank99 on February 17, 2013, 10:54:41 PM
George, Thanks for the info, u have one u want to sell?
;D ;D You can sometimes find Accurate/Tiburon framed 6/0's on ebay for less than the cost of a new Tiburon frame and spool kit. For example, I paid $100 for a nice 114H with an Accurate frame. Then I installed a narrow Tiburon frame and spool on it and used the old Accurate frame on my 114. Too bad neither reel has steel main gears. :(
Quote from: shellbank99 on February 17, 2013, 10:54:41 PM
but the accurate gears for the 114h are like the holy grail of gears. Can't find them anywhere. I did read on this site that someone was working on getting them produced again.
Yep, many of us are hoping Black Pearl Tackle can come through with some new high speed gears for the 114H. Anyway, I will beef up both of my 6/0's with ss gear sleeves and ss double dogs and they should be VERY comfortable with a 30lb drag setting. Even though I may not need them, I just like and want them. ;D