I've been talking with Ted about the Ablacore trip Ron Jones is putting together for Sept. 23-25, 2024 starting out of Westport, WA fishing on the Tornado. And mentioned I'd like a new reel for the trip, after all, WHO doesn't have a Penn Jigmaster 500 to use or borrow!!!!
Ted said, he'll put together something for me, if I don't want it, send it back.
Here it is!!!! I now call it the BLACK MAMBA!!!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/7588-030224162542-386251466.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/7588-030224162529-38620386.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/7588-030224162536-386231399.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/7588-030224162532-386211700.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/7588-030224162536-386232442.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/7588-030224162532-386212293.jpeg)
Nice looking, isn't!!!! :d
Ted, chine in and let us know what all you did to put together Tom's TOP SHELF quality parts and make
this reel, the Albaocre Killer it will be.
Closer to the date, I'll head to Alan's to spool it up with Berkley Big Game mono. The boat does NOT USE BRAID, and will let us know if 25, 30, or 40 lbs mono is the ticket.
This trip came together in 24 hours: You can read about it here:
https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,37764.0.html
Ted?? YOU out there????
Wayne
Always a treat when it's from Ted!! That's a beauty
Nice. Should do well on the albacore. Hoping you get good weather on the trip.
Todd
Nice Reel Wayne!
No braid for the trip huh?
I'll have to adjust!
Steve
Per the Tornado Website:
https://tornadowestport.com/area-info/
That is fine but there are a couple stipulations. NO BRAIDED LINE (fire line, tuff line, spider wire, dacron, etc) except on deep water Halibut trips. We use and recommend 25-30 pound test clear mono on salmon and 40 test on bottom fish reels and 25-40 on tuna reels.
We've experienced the braided lines just don't mix well in the charter boat environment. These lines are so strong (a little to strong) and thin to the point of being dangerous, especially when snagged on the bottom. Knot tying, tangles and fouling in the boats running gear are also problematic.
NOW... Ted has fished with the Tornado Capt. MANY TIMES, and MAYBE his soft-spoken kind words MAY change his mind, if not, MONO it is.
Same on a trip in Bermuda, half day for snapper, I brought a Penn 450SS that Sal went thru, and when I boarded the boat, I asked the deck hand to put my reel on one of their boat rods. he yelled out "BRAID!!!!!!"
Capt. was up top, and he yelled back... "NO BRAID!!!!!!" Capt. words are final - like Alan's here!!!!
We will just have to see.
Wayne
The Tornado switched to spectra last year for albacore. Dwight is a busy man with 2 young kids and during winter he is a commercial crabber. Updating his website isn't tops on his "to do" list. 50# spectra(or equivalent micro fibre line). 25 pound mono top shot. If you show up with mono filled spool, he won't say a word, but you might be cussing under your breath when you get cut off by the spectra he has on his bait rods.
Very nice reel and have fun on your trip guys.
Wayne, your black mamba can be summed up with a quote from the great Muhammad Ali
"floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee"
Nice reel!
very nice build! i'm really liking the 2nd gen jigmaster cortez plates
What a beauty Wayne. Ted, you've done it again with another beautiful creation. That reel will be seeing red soon enough. Tight lines!!!
got lots of mono here. let me know if you need it spooled up!
Quote from: alantani on February 04, 2024, 04:50:34 PMgot lots of mono here. let me know if you need it spooled up!
Seeing how I'm on this trip too, what brand of mono and pound test/s do you recommend Alan?
Pretty sure I'm taking 2-3 reels.
Thanks,
Steve
for trolling - 50-60. for bait, 20, 25 or 30. hopefully you will not have to drop down to 15. make sure your drags are set to 30% of the line weight.
Quote from: alantani on February 04, 2024, 05:30:51 PMfor trolling - 50-60. for bait, 20, 25 or 30. hopefully you will not have to drop down to 15. make sure your drags are set to 30% of the line weight.
YES MOTHER... WILL DO!!!! ;D
And Alan, I'll be down to fill the reel before the Setp. 23-25 trip.
LONG TEXT with Ted last night, the Tornado Capt. - Dwight, has crossed over to BRAID for TUNA TRIPS - that from Ted & Ron Jones.
So as of now, it will be 50 lbs. braid with a 10'-12' topshot of Clear MONO - and Capt. Dwight will tie on a new leader IF ours gets too short. Capt. Dwight sounds like a man of Action!!!
I'm getting jazzed about this trip. AND all 10 fishermen are from AT.com or friends of the AT.com family. That will make for an enjoyable 2 days on the water.
And Steve, which 2-3 reels do you plan on bringing????
Wayne
Wayne,
I "was planning" on bringing my:
505JM 20 pound kit
506JM 30 pound kit
And my Penn 320 LW for trolling.
I'll bring extra spools for the 505 & 506 but I hate changing spools on the fly!
Hopefully we won't need to downgrade to lighter test.
Too Lazy!
Steve
Steve, the Tornado switched to spectra last year on all bait sticks. 50# with 25# mono topshot 10-12' long. He hasn't updated his website to say this, but I can tell you first hand that it is a fact
Quote from: Maxed Out on February 04, 2024, 07:59:00 PMSteve, the Tornado switched to spectra last year on all bait sticks. 50# with 25# mono topshot 10-12' long. He hasn't updated his website to say this, but I can tell you first hand that it is a fact
Thanks Maxed Out!
So much to learn, but at lest we have time to learn it.
Steve
Quote from: Crab Pot on February 04, 2024, 08:43:43 PMQuote from: Maxed Out on February 04, 2024, 07:59:00 PMSteve, the Tornado switched to spectra last year on all bait sticks. 50# with 25# mono topshot 10-12' long. He hasn't updated his website to say this, but I can tell you first hand that it is a fact
Thanks Maxed Out!
So much to learn, but at lest we have time to learn it.
Steve
At least you got some extra space now to fit new info!
Yes, I guess I do! :d :
Wayne - Another beautiful Ted creation. El Pescador might be feeling a little bit of pressure, because if you can't slay some fish with THAT reel.... - john
Quote from: Brewcrafter on February 05, 2024, 12:19:02 AMWayne - Another beautiful Ted creation. El Pescador might be feeling a little bit of pressure, because if you can't slay some fish with THAT reel.... - john
John,
I didn't want to say that!
But Wayne can always hand it off to me for test work out on the trip!
Steve
Quote from: Brewcrafter on February 05, 2024, 12:19:02 AMWayne - Another beautiful Ted creation. El Pescador might be feeling a little bit of pressure, because if you can't slay some fish with THAT reel.... - john
Brewcrafter!!!
Any uneasy feeling about catching albacore can we calmed down with a can of brew or two of your specialty beer!!! Like the trip in Morro Bay where you sent it north from your hometown. I'm just thinking!!!!!
And Steve, Yes, I'll be more than happy to send Ted's Black Mamba around the boat for those who want to pull on it.
Also, I've talked with Dominick, and he will send with us one of his Penn Torque star drag reels - same one I used in 2012 out of Santa Cruz for my last Albacore trip. That too was a barn burner of a catch'n trip.
Wayne
Beautiful reel!! *Almost* too pretty to use!
Quote from: El Pescador on February 05, 2024, 02:06:10 AMQuote from: Brewcrafter on February 05, 2024, 12:19:02 AMWayne - Another beautiful Ted creation. El Pescador might be feeling a little bit of pressure, because if you can't slay some fish with THAT reel.... - john
Brewcrafter!!!
Any uneasy feeling about catching albacore can we calmed down with a can of brew or two of your specialty beer!!! Like the trip in Morro Bay where you sent it north from your hometown. I'm just thinking!!!!!
And Steve, Yes, I'll be more than happy to send Ted's Black Mamba around the boat for those who want to pull on it.
Also, I've talked with Dominick, and he will send with us one of his Penn Torque star drag reels - same one I used in 2012 out of Santa Cruz for my last Albacore trip. That too was a barn burner of a catch'n trip.
Wayne
Why isnt Dommie sending Dommie to use the Torque himself????
Dunno, anything is possible. Dommie 8)
Awesome Reel Wayne! Ted and Tom are definitely class acts!
Quote from: Shark Hunter on February 08, 2024, 12:44:39 AMAwesome Reel Wayne! Ted and Tom are definitely class acts!
Where you been hiding, brother? :)
Top job Ted, you better catch some fish with it Wayne.
a question for all you fisho`s up top, considering it is your winter at this time of the year, would it not be best to place the mono on it now,cheers Don.
Does it got all the usual SS internal goodies we love on this site? ;D
How much does it weighs without line?
It's an Albacore Killer! :al
Surfrat,
The entire reel comes in at a respectable 21.25 oz.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/7588-080224194435-38626817.jpeg)
Ted, please chime in on the internals, I won't be opening it up anytime soon.
Thanks.
Wayne
Wow, that beast looks like a killer!
That is one serious piece of kit there mate!
Had to say it heard somebody from the cross the pond say it earlier lol!
Anyone would be honored to own that reel and that handle, man just absolutely love it!
A fella could go broke, real quick around here, especially this fella lol!
You guys are gonna have me fishing with tuna reels, off the local beaches and piers here!
Things all murdered out in black, and just nasty(in a good way) looking! Should've named that slaying machine, the assassin!
And coming in at only 22 ounces for such a big reel, is pretty impressive to say the least! So, how much wider is that than a regular 500? Honestly, after seeing this, I'm not getting rid of a reel, I was going to sell now. Not that it compares to this winch whatsoever lol! Definitely gave me some inspiration on a new look for it though!
I'll have to admit, you guys definitely produce, some serious gear here!
Very nice! This is a Black Tank! :al