First I want to say I don't want to start a Ford vs Chevy or what's best thread. Only what you perceive as the perfect albacore reel that just works for you.
I've spent a few week nights going back over old posts here on the subject and I'm still searching.
With some 50 plus reels, most are star drag except for two SHIMANO TLD 30 II's. Alan has serviced these a few times over the years.
They were used with 40# mono in the Sea of Cortez for 100# and under sails and stripes. Lots of line capacity and not over dragged make for fun battles from a panga.
While a fine reel when fished within it limits, it's to large for this job.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm looking for an excuse to buy a new lever for the long fins. Not a need, only a want that seems to have got stuck in my craw! >:(
So I have a few stipulations for you enablers... ;D
1) Lever Drag - 2 speed
2) Size - Nothing much larger that 113h - 4/0
3) Line capacity 300-350 30#mono or braid with top shot!
4) Weight - Nothing heavy
5) Serviceable - Not difficult to work on from home without a 4 year degree
6) Price - In the $400 range
7) Dependability - A proven and sturdy design that when fished within it's limits, it's not needing to be repaired every year other than routine maintenance that will last.
I know I could use my 4/0 tanked narrows/Regular/wides, 6/0's, and 349's. I want to get right back on the known pre-set strike setting with a lever and the lure back out
Looking for something medium weight and fun.
Thanks for hearing my rant and replying if you have the time.
-gary
i've got six of these. now all we need are a few albacore.
Quote from: Gman_WC on January 11, 2019, 07:40:38 AM
First I want to say I don't want to start a Ford vs Chevy or what's best thread. Only what you perceive as the perfect albacore reel that just works for you.
I've spent a few week nights going back over old posts here on the subject and I'm still searching.
With some 50 plus reels, most are star drag except for two SHIMANO TLD 30 II's. Alan has serviced these a few times over the years.
They were used with 40# mono in the Sea of Cortez for 100# and under sails and stripes. Lots of line capacity and not over dragged make for fun battles from a panga.
While a fine reel when fished within it limits, it's to large for this job.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm looking for an excuse to buy a new lever for the long fins. Not a need, only a want that seems to have got stuck in my craw! >:(
So I have a few stipulations for you enablers... ;D
1) Lever Drag - 2 speed
2) Size - Nothing much larger that 113h - 4/0
3) Line capacity 300-350 30#mono or braid with top shot!
4) Weight - Nothing heavy
5) Serviceable - Not difficult to work on from home without a 4 year degree
6) Price - In the $400 range
7) Dependability - A proven and sturdy design that when fished within it's limits, it's not needing to be repaired every year other than routine maintenance that will last.
I know I could use my 4/0 tanked narrows/Regular/wides, 6/0's, and 349's. I want to get right back on the known pre-set strike setting with a lever and the lure back out
Looking for something medium weight and fun.
Thanks for hearing my rant and replying if you have the time.
-gary
Gary, for what you are talking about, 30#, I would think that Avet JX or MX would fit the bill. I'm not sure of the line capacity but fishing 30# (likely the MX would be the right size), these two would definitely work. Easy to service, 10# of drag at struck, light and small, comes in 2 speed,...these would be my pick for a good, relatively inexpensive lever drag reel.
Another would be an Okuma Metalloid for the same reasons.
You could also think about the Shimano charter specials with Alan's Cortez Conversions full aluminum frame kits.
Check them out. It's fun looking for new toys.
Bryan
There are lots of reels that fit your needs, I use single speed Avet JX4.6 reels for albacore trolling. Two speed is not needed for small tuna (albacore) but if you want two speed the Avet JX6/3 ($370) or Penn Fathom FTH25NLD2 ($280) would be two good choices. Smaller reels will work but I like this size reel for trolling, my go to albacore reel for non trolling is a early pre glued drag MX6/4. I would recommend a JX6/3 Raptor over the JX6/3 due to the glued on drag washer on the non Raptor reels but the JX6/3 Raptor is over $400. These are what I use but there are plenty of reels that fit your needs.
Quote from: alantani on January 11, 2019, 07:52:34 AM
i've got six of these. now all we need are a few albacore.
I know where they have been for the last decade or so.
I caught a good number of Yellowtail and YFT on a Saltist LD20 2 speed thinking all the time how it was perfect for albacore. I would sibmit, however, that the SD fishing crew answered ths question forever and a day ago when they put a 500 sideplateon a 99. You n't beat an lbacore Special, especially if it is made with a Newel Kit.
The Man
I've worked on several Saltist LD20 reels and like them, the next size up would be a better dedicated trolling reel. On the 2018 SOA trip I caught a dorado on my tricked out Penn/Tiburon 500NN.
Quote from: Ron Jones on January 11, 2019, 04:11:49 PM
I caught a good number of Yellowtail and YFT on a Saltist LD20 2 speed thinking all the time how it was perfect for albacore. I would sibmit, however, that the SD fishing crew answered ths question forever and a day ago when they put a 500 sideplateon a 99. You n't beat an lbacore Special, especially if it is made with a Newel Kit.
The Man
Thanks guys. Keep them ideas coming.
-gary
I have a couple of Pro Gear Albacore Special's, 280 and 540!
Quote from: MarkT on January 11, 2019, 11:02:37 PM
I have a couple of Pro Gear Albacore Special's, 280 and 540!
Thanks. I'm looking for new reel models that I can still gets parts for if I need them. I'm afraid to fish my PG 251/255's.
-g
The guts of the 255/251 are Jigmasters so you can easily get parts.
My favorite albacore charter boat uses accurate boss dual drag reels and he swears by them. I've seen first hand the punishment these reels take on a daily basis for 3 months. Just another option to consider
Ted
With reviews and at $, I'm now looking very seriously at the Okuma Metaloids.
I may get a 5 and a 12 ??? to test drive.
https://www.charkbait.com/specials.htm#Special_1
-g
Quote from: Gman_WC on January 12, 2019, 08:05:06 PM
With reviews and at $, I'm now looking very seriously at the Okuma Metaloids.
I may get a 5 and a 12 ??? to test drive.
https://www.charkbait.com/specials.htm#Special_1
-g
Okuma's customer service is one of the best if not the best I deal with. I wish I had more of their reels coming in for work though.
You might want to determine which lure(s) you plan to troll with first. With a soft plastic swimbait at low speeds, I would prefer to use my casting outfit. On the other hand, if I am trolling a big lipped plug, resin head or even a spreader rig at any kind of speed, the whole setup, both rod and reel, needs to be more heavy duty.
If you are trolling on a charter or party boat, your setup needs to be compatible with whatever else is being used, and is usually specified by the captain. The captain may even specify the lures to use. Some prefer to have all of the same lures in the spread. If it is your own boat, then you get to choose.
When it comes to fighting a hooked albacore, it doesn't take as much reel as some folks think. Back in the day when albacore showed regularly around here, a narrow squidder was my goto albacore live bait reel, and it did just fine year after year. These are still tuna, so you need a decent reel with a smooth drag, but that is about it.
If you want to be prepared for a bigger bluefin that might end up in the mix, or want to be able land fish quickly in order load up during a bite, then a two speed might be useful. Two speeds are nice for checking/changing out your gear without having to slow down the troll.
In terms or repeatable drag settings, you can still use a star drag. A dab of nail polish or wrap of duct tape on one of the star legs provides a pretty repeatable index for my reels with carbon fiber drags. Jeff (Riverrat) has a post describing using a paracord loop on the star for the same purpose.
-J
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w44/Shocktrama/Edsreel002.jpg)
What about hopped up old school? 99 sized Jigmaster Franken Reel... Albacore Special....
No bells, no whistles. Just a simple workhorse...
Cool
Quote from: jurelometer on January 13, 2019, 09:07:56 PM
You might want to determine which lure(s) you plan to troll with first. With a soft plastic swimbait at low speeds, I would prefer to use my casting outfit. On the other hand, if I am trolling a big lipped plug, resin head or even a spreader rig at any kind of speed, the whole setup, both rod and reel, needs to be more heavy duty.
If you are trolling on a charter or party boat, your setup needs to be compatible with whatever else is being used, and is usually specified by the captain. The captain may even specify the lures to use. Some prefer to have all of the same lures in the spread. If it is your own boat, then you get to choose.
When it comes to fighting a hooked albacore, it doesn't take as much reel as some folks think. Back in the day when albacore showed regularly around here, a narrow squidder was my goto albacore live bait reel, and it did just fine year after year. These are still tuna, so you need a decent reel with a smooth drag, but that is about it.
If you want to be prepared for a bigger bluefin that might end up in the mix, or want to be able land fish quickly in order load up during a bite, then a two speed might be useful. Two speeds are nice for checking/changing out your gear without having to slow down the troll.
In terms or repeatable drag settings, you can still use a star drag. A dab of nail polish or wrap of duct tape on one of the star legs provides a pretty repeatable index for my reels with carbon fiber drags. Jeff (Riverrat) has a post describing using a paracord loop on the star for the same purpose.
-J
You didn't read my post! The title says it all "Albacore - Trolling Reel". I have plenty of overkill gear in a star drag but looking for something new in a LD, and for this slot size of longfin.
This is for private boating feathers, clones, brooms, etc.
Usually in the NorCal (Albion-Ft Bragg) IMO if your out trolling for albacore there's not much bycatch like you're very likely to have in SoCal.
I've seen a few opah, dorado, and every so often bluefin.
This is the second time of heard of people claiming to use squidders for live bait on tuna. Unless your fully tanked, I just don't see a #20 albacore coming to the boat with dime sized drags in under 30mins.
As far as smooth drags, tuna don't have a soft mouth like a salmon, so I'm unsure why this is relevant. All drags should be smooth, if not the reel needs to be serviced if it has jerky drags.
I had a avet SX that worked great for 20-30lb, A little above my ability to service it so I went back to a 220 newell. Great reel though and abundant so parts aren't an issue. Lots of good small LD reels these days. Hard to pick one.
When I was a youngster the squidder was the reel of choice for albacore, 20lb mono, a nice limber bait stick, a pocket full of hooks and rubber core sinkers and that's all it took. Killed a lot of them with that set up, pretty much the standard.
Shimano Talica 16II if you want to run mono, 10II if you can run braid.
Maybe a little over the top end of your budget. Talicas are pricey in NA for some reason.
Quote from: Gman_WC on January 14, 2019, 02:21:36 AM
Quote from: jurelometer on January 13, 2019, 09:07:56 PM
You might want to determine which lure(s) you plan to troll with first. With a soft plastic swimbait at low speeds, I would prefer to use my casting outfit. On the other hand, if I am trolling a big lipped plug, resin head or even a spreader rig at any kind of speed, the whole setup, both rod and reel, needs to be more heavy duty.
If you are trolling on a charter or party boat, your setup needs to be compatible with whatever else is being used, and is usually specified by the captain. The captain may even specify the lures to use. Some prefer to have all of the same lures in the spread. If it is your own boat, then you get to choose.
When it comes to fighting a hooked albacore, it doesn't take as much reel as some folks think. Back in the day when albacore showed regularly around here, a narrow squidder was my goto albacore live bait reel, and it did just fine year after year. These are still tuna, so you need a decent reel with a smooth drag, but that is about it.
If you want to be prepared for a bigger bluefin that might end up in the mix, or want to be able land fish quickly in order load up during a bite, then a two speed might be useful. Two speeds are nice for checking/changing out your gear without having to slow down the troll.
In terms or repeatable drag settings, you can still use a star drag. A dab of nail polish or wrap of duct tape on one of the star legs provides a pretty repeatable index for my reels with carbon fiber drags. Jeff (Riverrat) has a post describing using a paracord loop on the star for the same purpose.
-J
You didn't read my post! The title says it all "Albacore - Trolling Reel". I have plenty of overkill gear in a star drag but looking for something new in a LD, and for this slot size of longfin.
This is for private boating feathers, clones, brooms, etc.
Usually in the NorCal (Albion-Ft Bragg) IMO if your out trolling for albacore there's not much bycatch like you're very likely to have in SoCal.
I've seen a few opah, dorado, and every so often bluefin.
This is the second time of heard of people claiming to use squidders for live bait on tuna. Unless your fully tanked, I just don't see a #20 albacore coming to the boat with dime sized drags in under 30mins.
As far as smooth drags, tuna don't have a soft mouth like a salmon, so I'm unsure why this is relevant. All drags should be smooth, if not the reel needs to be serviced if it has jerky drags.
With all due respect, you may want to take another look at my response.
I'll try to rephrase: most decent saltwater reels with the capacity that you need will be up to the job of landing albacore, so IMHO, the "best" reel for your situation will be dictated by what you lures are pulling and how fast, and whether you had to match up with what others were trolling with from the same boat. And I do think that west coast guys err a bit on the overkill side for albacore, so if you want to fish something that is viewed on the lighter side, you will probably get away with it, as long as it is up to the task of pulling your lures. Based on your functional requirements, a lever drag is not even a necessity if you are willing to forgo the two-speed.
---
As Swami noted, back before the days of small lever drags, it was pretty much jigmasters and squidders for live bait and jigs for albacore out of NorCal. Squidders were a bit better for tossing live bait when the anchovies got small. Not too hard to stop an albacore with an honest 5 to 6 lbs of drag. The size of the drag washer is not the only thing that matters; spool diameter and gear ratio (on star drags) can have a much greater effect.
A smooth drag is important for a bunch of reasons. One example: break-offs during a strike. This happens more with fast swimming species like tuna, especially when there is slack in the line, or you are flipping the lever after the bite. Another example: a sticky drag causes a jerk, jerk, jerk, that will widen the hook hole(tuna too!) and stress knots. Another example: you have to set the drag at a lower setting to accommodate the higher static friction. And finally, sticky drags put more stress on all of the components, leading to more wear and shorter lifespan. Agree with you that maintenance and drag lube are the keys to a smooth drag, and won't affect your purchase decision much, as long as the reel is not too much of a pain to maintain properly.
As to specific recommendations for your situation- I would go with the TLD20II that Alan is using because my preference runs more toward utility and ease of maintenance. Only downsides are that it is a bit on the heavy side and not as impressive looking as some of the more recent designs.
Good luck!
-J
Quote from: Gman_WC on January 14, 2019, 02:21:36 AMI just don't see a #20 albacore coming to the boat with dime sized drags in under 30mins.
Someone said a ABU 560X was not a albacore reel and I told him he was wrong and proved it to him the next trip, but it's not a stock 5601. I would not recommend these reels though as there are a lot of reels better suited for albacore. My preference for albacore trolling is Penn 25N
SIZE reels but mine just happen to be Avet JX's.
You can go smaller for live and dead bait, iron and plastic.
"I just don't see a #20 albacore coming to the boat with dime sized drags in under 30mins."
I saw a guy catch a 25# albie using a Curado 250 loaded with straight 20# mono. He didn't have much line and it didn't take 30 minutes... maybe 15 minutes. It was longer than it took people fishing 20-30# line on bigger reels. My go to rig for albies with live bait was a Penn 535 GS on a Seeker G970 with 25#. I had another 535 with 20# on a 270.
Down here in SoCal the go to albie troller on the party boats was a 114h with 80#, maybe 60# if you were going light. PB'ers could go as light as they wanted. These days my local trollers are tricked out TLD20 and 30 2-speeds. No albies down here but I've caught BFT on them.
Quote from: jurelometer on January 14, 2019, 10:01:03 AM
With all due respect, you may want to take another look at my response.
I'll try to rephrase: most decent saltwater reels with the capacity that you need will be up to the job of landing albacore, so IMHO, the "best" reel for your situation will be dictated by what you lures are pulling and how fast, and whether you had to match up with what others were trolling with from the same boat. And I do think that west coast guys err a bit on the overkill side for albacore, so if you want to fish something that is viewed on the lighter side, you will probably get away with it, as long as it is up to the task of pulling your lures. Based on your functional requirements, a lever drag is not even a necessity if you are willing to forgo the two-speed.
---
As Swami noted, back before the days of small lever drags, it was pretty much jigmasters and squidders for live bait and jigs for albacore out of NorCal. Squidders were a bit better for tossing live bait when the anchovies got small. Not too hard to stop an albacore with an honest 5 to 6 lbs of drag. The size of the drag washer is not the only thing that matters; spool diameter and gear ratio (on star drags) can have a much greater effect.
A smooth drag is important for a bunch of reasons. One example: break-offs during a strike. This happens more with fast swimming species like tuna, especially when there is slack in the line, or you are flipping the lever after the bite. Another example: a sticky drag causes a jerk, jerk, jerk, that will widen the hook hole(tuna too!) and stress knots. Another example: you have to set the drag at a lower setting to accommodate the higher static friction. And finally, sticky drags put more stress on all of the components, leading to more wear and shorter lifespan. Agree with you that maintenance and drag lube are the keys to a smooth drag, and won't affect your purchase decision much, as long as the reel is not too much of a pain to maintain properly.
As to specific recommendations for your situation- I would go with the TLD20II that Alan is using because my preference runs more toward utility and ease of maintenance. Only downsides are that it is a bit on the heavy side and not as impressive looking as some of the more recent designs.
Good luck!
-J
Thanks J for the feedback. I've got tunnel vision on a new LD trolling reel that I don't really need, but want. With all the spec's and recommendations running in my head, I did discount you're input on a few important facts you brought up and I apologize. I've been so fixated on that one trolling #30/#40 reel and not so much on the slide after first contact. That gear's already covered many times over.
I do own a few TLD30II's, but that just going to be overkill for this boat ride. Looking to downsize on frame and weight size, but still have a reel I don't need to max out and that could maybe double duty in BCS if I go back.
-g
Alan is selling for a friend...
Accurate Boss 870 single speed, 4.6 gears...
For $175.00, This reel will stop any Albacore you will ever find.
It will also toss a jig out pretty good for a lever drag...
I believe this will cover your needs...
Dan
Just spooled a Calcutta 400B with 300m of 6kg mono as a dedicated Albie setup.... some people prefer the light options I guess :)