Hi guys,
Greetings from Australia, was after honest opinions on the std gold makaira 16 version. Looking to add one to my current set of game reels and am after some feedback on this particular size.
I am running several bigger versions and all have been great. I am looking at all the 16 sized reels at the moment and keeping my options open. Thanks in advance for any valid opinions.
Regards Tacklerat ;)
I don't think anyone as found a true negative about the Mak's yet in any way shape or form other than weight as compared to other lever drag reels.
But for their true big game capability that is no sin. ;D
In the small reels I have the 16 and 20. I don't like the 20 anymore because of the width. The 16 is perfect in the hand and easy to fish with.
Tuna in the 30 to 50lb range are a blast!!
Quote from: handi2 on April 08, 2016, 12:08:06 AM
In the small reels I have the 16 and 20. I don't like the 20 anymore because of the width. The 16 is perfect in the hand and easy to fish with.
Tuna in the 30 to 50lb range are a blast!!
I agree, the 20's are used here on the west coast a one would use a 30 from other manufactures. Primarily the 20's are a 80 lb test reel, of course spectra backed, and fit that line class well for our type of fishing. Mostly trolling and a picky bite bait reel where you will find 100 lb plus tuna,
The 16's are fine reels and since you already know the Makaira line tacklerat I don't think you will be disappointed at all with a 16.
Sounds good guys. Just ordered one today. Will complete my collection I reckon. Thanks for the positive feedback .
Cheers
That's because the Mak 20 is pretty much the size of someone else's 30! I use my 16 Sea for 80# and the 20 Sea for 100#.
Definitely agree the 20 MK is comparable to a std 30 of other brands. Great reel in its own right depending on application.
The 16 is about the same width as a 20 and is only 4 ounces less in weight ( the 20 is obviously about an extra 1/2 inch bigger in diamiter and holds just over 25% more line
I have them both and like them a lot (but wish the 16 was a 20 for the type of fishing I do)
I will be running my 16 MK along side a penn 16 vs. Just wondered if the makaira is alot bigger in size to the penn. Thanks in advance. Cheers
While I was working in the shop my son came in and asked "what do you want to spool this with".
He had a brand new Makaira 30II in his hand I forgot I bought..!!
It was spooled with 50lb hollow to 50lb mono. All spliced in. He is a whiz at splicing and making top shots.
I have 100# Threadlock spectra on both my 16 and 20. The 20 steps up to 130# spectra for the last 30 yds. I go with a loop to loop for the topshot.
Hi guys. There is a supply issue here on a 16 size. Ended up re ordering a 15 size. Hopefully no issues on getting one. Anyone running a 15 size?
Quote from: handi2 on April 08, 2016, 12:08:06 AM
In the small reels I have the 16 and 20. I don't like the 20 anymore because of the width. The 16 is perfect in the hand and easy to fish with.
Tuna in the 30 to 50lb range are a blast!!
The 16 and 20 are basically the same width! The 20 is taller so the 16 would be easier to Palm. The 30 is a wider 20.
i have a mak 20II and a mak 50II. the 16II is next on the list. i will be fishing 80, 100 and 130 pound topshots with these reels.
Also noticed the makaira 8 and 16 are not listed as available over here in Australia. Will try to find out more to see about availability . Have topshot most of mine too Alan. Cheers
The 16 is a great 80/100# reel, when big capacity is not a issue.
The 15 is a wide 10, to wide for my liking. I have owned and sold more than 10 of them. Width makes me frustrated and I sell it, then I wish I had one again. The bottom line is it fills a spot, so I will hang on to the one I have. It will fish 100# with limited capacity. It is a great 60# reel holding about 600M. Charter friends of mine in Mexico have had Makairas (including a 15) on there boat for 7 years fishing almost every day. The reels are brutalized, rinsed some times, oiled occasionally and keep working. Personally it is just about all I own. So 60 on the 15 and 80/100 on the 16, I hope this helps.
Sounds good Normslanding, wouldn't mind checking the 10 and 8 size for a look too. Cheers
About the 8, many on this site pushed for a 8 to be built. Due to capacity the 8 (IMO) falls short, what you give up is versatility. I own 3 10's.
Sounds like the 10 size are the go. Thanks for the heads up on that. Cheers :)
My mk 15 turned up a few days ago. Unfortunately there was a bit of a grinding noisy feel to it in normal high speed. Low speed was fine. Had to send it back unfortunately. Not sure what I will end up doing now. Anyone else had this?
I have 7 Makaira's from 16 to 50's
And they are all noticeably rougher in hi speed as apposed to low, where they are very smooth indeed
The roughness is noticeable partly because the reels have silent anti reverse dogs unlike tiagras/lnternationals that have clicking dogs, but I actually think that my tiagra high gears are smoother if you discount the clicking dogs when turning the handles at home in a quiet room
The roughness/noise in high on the Makairas reduces considerably under load and is unoticeable when fighting a fish where they are the smoothest quietest reels I have ever used
Quote from: tacklerat on May 03, 2016, 11:48:04 AM
My mk 15 turned up a few days ago. Unfortunately there was a bit of a grinding noisy feel to it in normal high speed. Low speed was fine. Had to send it back unfortunately. Not sure what I will end up doing now. Anyone else had this?
There probably was nothing wrong with the reel. When you have a high speed reel moving such a large and heavy spool with SS gears a little bit of start up inertia/handle pressure and noise is to be expected.
These are not buttery foo-foo reels, but used for stump pulling :).
Thanks guys. I do own several of the larger models and also a 20 which doesn't have that grindy feel. Didn't want to take a chance on a new one just in case. Cheers