Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn Senator Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: joel8080 on July 04, 2013, 11:20:33 PM

Title: What test line?.
Post by: joel8080 on July 04, 2013, 11:20:33 PM
Does any one know after Hot Rodding our Senator reels From 1/0 to 6/0 what test Mono line are they now able to handle?.

Thank You

Joel8080
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Ron Jones on July 04, 2013, 11:34:40 PM
This is a question asked a lot. Alan has said you should have 25 to 33% drag of line breaking strength. But that isn't the whole story because you can get 20 fishable pounds of drag out of a narrow Jigmaster (same size as a 1/0) and it would seem silly to fish 80 pound line on that reel. However, fishing 40 pound braid on that reel would be more than reasonable. Lee has brought up that really thin braid is a pain and I agree, especially if their is a lot of it. So assuming we are talking braid line on fully hot rodded reels I would submit this list would be a good starting point.

1/0-2/0 = 40
3/0 = 50
4/0 = 60-80
6/0 = 80 - whatever you want

Anything bigger than that to me seems like a mono reel and should be fished the way they always have, just with more confidence. I'm sure someone will come along and blast me for something soon.

Ron
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: joel8080 on July 04, 2013, 11:45:43 PM
Ron

Honestly the numbers you put up are not far from my estimate I have done ever thing to my reels possible except double doging them, I will not pay the price they want for a Dremel here I could buy 2 in the States for the same price, latter on this year were going to CA to see the kids and I will pick up a Dremel and asst bits for it then. I often wonder do I need to double dog them I really would like to give the fish a fighting chance.

Joel8080
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Ron Jones on July 05, 2013, 12:29:44 AM
I have used a hand drill with descent results. Just be slow and careful.  Double dogging really protects the fisherman rather than give the fish an advantage. Having a reel go double buster and forcing you to get medical atention only needs to happen once!!

Ron
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Dominick on July 05, 2013, 12:55:59 AM
Quote from: noyb72 on July 04, 2013, 11:34:40 PM
This is a question asked a lot. Alan has said you should have 25 to 33% drag of line breaking strength. But that isn't the whole story because you can get 20 fishable pounds of drag out of a narrow Jigmaster (same size as a 1/0) and it would seem silly to fish 80 pound line on that reel. However, fishing 40 pound braid on that reel would be more than reasonable. Lee has brought up that really thin braid is a pain and I agree, especially if their is a lot of it. So assuming we are talking braid line on fully hot rodded reels I would submit this list would be a good starting point.

1/0-2/0 = 40
3/0 = 50
4/0 = 60-80
6/0 = 80 - whatever you want

Anything bigger than that to me seems like a mono reel and should be fished the way they always have, just with more confidence. I'm sure someone will come along and blast me for something soon.

Ron
I'd like to weigh in here.  The 4/0 I use is the Tank.  I have it loaded with 80lb braid.  I only use the Tank on big game fish.  My 6/0 is stock and it is loaded with 80 lb mono.  Ron no one will cream you on this site for something like that.  They will either agree or respectfully disagree.  Dominick
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Shark Hunter on July 05, 2013, 01:42:20 AM
You answered my question Dom. I was wondering what you had the Tank spooled with. Where I fish in Florida from shore.The sand bars are loaded with shells and had 80lb power pro braid cut like it was thread on my 6/0. I already had my 9/0 spooled with 100lb braid. I don't want to get cut off like that again. Where the line got cut, it was at least 100' from the top shot, so thats not an option for me. We fouund it washed ashore the next day with the hook still on the other end, Thats how I know it was at least 100'.
I am gearing up for next years trip and have my 12/0 spooled with 100lb mono and the 14/0 with 130lb. i'll probably spool the 9/0 with 80lb.
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Dominick on July 05, 2013, 03:40:25 AM
BTW the 80lb braid I got from Wayne (El Pescador) We were given stuff at the sign in at the WON Tuna Tournament.  I think I have some Jerry Brown 150 lb braid.  Dominick
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Shark Hunter on July 05, 2013, 06:59:34 AM
I am just afraid to use it any more. I am a mono man now. However, my buddies reeled in a 6 foot Bull Shark on a un Tanked 4/0 with 80 lb braid, but most of the fight was done on a kayak to keep them from getting spooled. ;D
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: joel8080 on July 05, 2013, 12:27:09 PM
Ron

I just relised you quoted Braided line for what test to use, What test would you use for Mono line?.

Joel8080

Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: BMITCH on July 05, 2013, 01:16:59 PM
Ron, thanks for the line class/reel recommendations. I'm totally into the braid line now. When I do use mono I use the reel for what it was intended to be used with. That's the reason I'm doing all the senator upgrades, for the braid. ;D
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Bryan Young on July 05, 2013, 02:53:21 PM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on July 05, 2013, 01:42:20 AM
You answered my question Dom. I was wondering what you had the Tank spooled with. Where I fish in Florida from shore.The sand bars are loaded with shells and had 80lb power pro braid cut like it was thread on my 6/0. I already had my 9/0 spooled with 100lb braid. I don't want to get cut off like that again. Where the line got cut, it was at least 100' from the top shot, so thats not an option for me. We fouund it washed ashore the next day with the hook still on the other end, Thats how I know it was at least 100'.
I am gearing up for next years trip and have my 12/0 spooled with 100lb mono and the 14/0 with 130lb. i'll probably spool the 9/0 with 80lb.
I wonder why your braid had cut.  Braid does not cut that easily especially being 100' from the top shot and fishing from the beach.
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Norcal Pescador on July 05, 2013, 02:57:37 PM
Bob,
Other factors on what gets put on the spool is how much line do you need/want and diameter. Some put braid on a reel just to give more capacity (fishing for very deep bottom dwellers) where they may not be extra big.

For diameter, 30 pound braid on a Jigmaster Junior comes in handy if you fish in areas that have a lot of drift and the smaller diameter cuts through the water better. Also it may be cost effective to put a higher test on a reel because it fills the spool more but you have no intention of exceeding the strength (physical and drag) of the reel. I've done this on a few of my reels. Like Dominick, I believe a 113H Tank can handle 80-pound braid.

While braid doesn't fare so well against rocks it cuts through kelp like a knife.

Joel, back to your original question about mono, you could probably jump up two or three line sizes on a "tanked" reel without any issues.
Rob
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: joel8080 on July 05, 2013, 04:58:48 PM
Rob

Thank You, here we do 90% of our fishing is trolling and I like Mono for trolling more so then Braid.

Joel 8080
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: BMITCH on July 05, 2013, 05:55:01 PM
Rob, right on with the added capacity. I've been on a few tuna trips that turned into a tile fish trip. Very difficult to reach bottom in 600+ ft. Of water using at a minimum of 40# mono. The braid gets it done much better. Plus with the braid no stretch. And after you've fought a fish or two on braid the feeling of every head shake and tail pump is unequaled. It does have its draw backs also no stretch and will really put a hurt on you if your not careful. I try to always use some kind of tops hot of mono. For both of those reasons.
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Bryan Young on July 05, 2013, 06:03:10 PM
Joel, from Penn Parts:

     440 yards of 30# mono
     370 yards of 40# mono
     270 yards of 50# mono

Probably 175-200 yards of 80# mono.

The question is capacity.

Bryan
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Ron Jones on July 05, 2013, 07:04:21 PM
If we are talking straight mono then I would look at something like this:

1/0: 20 (Alan recommends 30 on 501s for kayaks.)
2/0-3/0: 20-30
4/0: 50
6/0:  60-80
etc.

With all of the upgrades available, it really is a question of capacity. A long long time ago on some forum other than this one Alan Tani philosophically designed his ultimate reels. He based his design around 300 yards of a specific braid weight class. To me that means an ocean reel should hold 300 yards of whatever line you chose and that is where I came up with the mono list, according to MysticParts.com the 1/0 doesn't quite make it but I have had my heart broke one too many times by fishing the salt with less than 20 pound test line.

Ron

"Edited as per Moderators to correct Scott's Bait & Tackle over to their new store name Mystic Reel Parts / www.mysticparts.com"
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Alto Mare on July 05, 2013, 07:11:48 PM
Quote from: noyb72 on July 05, 2013, 07:04:21 PM

With all of the upgrades available, it really is a question of capacity.
Ron

Well said Ron ;). The 4/0 is rated at 40/50lb mono, with all of the upgrades that we've been doing, you could easely double that.
The same goes when choosing a rods.
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Shark Hunter on July 05, 2013, 07:15:29 PM
Quote from: Bryan Young on July 05, 2013, 02:53:21 PM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on July 05, 2013, 01:42:20 AM
You answered my question Dom. I was wondering what you had the Tank spooled with. Where I fish in Florida from shore.The sand bars are loaded with shells and had 80lb power pro braid cut like it was thread on my 6/0. I already had my 9/0 spooled with 100lb braid. I don't want to get cut off like that again. Where the line got cut, it was at least 100' from the top shot, so thats not an option for me. We fouund it washed ashore the next day with the hook still on the other end, Thats how I know it was at least 100'.
I am gearing up for next years trip and have my 12/0 spooled with 100lb mono and the 14/0 with 130lb. i'll probably spool the 9/0 with 80lb.
I wonder why your braid had cut.  Braid does not cut that easily especially being 100' from the top shot and fishing from the beach.
I wish I knew Bryan. We were doing some pretty deep drops. Another shark could have ran into it. The Black tips were everywhere that night. I watch sharks on the sand, especially around May when the BHC is going on. (Big Hammerhead Challenge) there is a particular lady that calls herself Sharkgirl.
On her quest to win the BHC. She caught at least a Dozen sharks, mostly Bulls in the 8' to almost 9' range with a 12/0 and a 14/0 spooled with 130 lb mono. Most serious Shark Fisherman that fish off he Florida Coast from shore only use mono. Unless you are Albert and live in Hawaii. :D
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Bryan Young on July 05, 2013, 07:37:27 PM
Maybe the next best question is how much mono is out when you guys paddle your lines out?  Presuming that you want to have only mono out when setting your bait.  After that, you could go with hollow braid backing and splice the mono top shot.  This could give you an extra 150+ yardage than mono alone.
Title: Re: What test line?.
Post by: Shark Hunter on July 05, 2013, 07:54:32 PM
100 to 200 yards out. My 14 holds 750 yards of 130lb mono. I think our drops were just too deep.
Live and Learn. This area of Navarre Beach has a new pier that was built in 2012 I believe. Where they dug out all the sand to make room for the pilings let lots of shells come ashore. I know I should just probably find a new place to fish, but I love it there. The condos are real close to the water.