So here's the situation......I occasionally get to go snapper and/or grouper fishing on the east coast of Florida. My style of fishing is to crank the drag down as tight as you can and hang on till your arms are sore and dont let the snapper/grouper rock you up. We fish on the bottom in the rocks and you cant give up an inch or you're in the rocks. I use 80-100 braid with like 80 leader and rarely but occasionally break off but usually I'm thumbing the drag even when its locked down.
My 2 combos ive been using are the following: A pro gear 541 with upgraded smoothdrag washers and an extra metal washer, on a daiwa sealine 6'6 heavy with 80 lb braid. And a custom penn 113h tiburon frame/spool with cortez sideplates with carbon drag 100 lb braid on a 6'6 shimano terez xtra heavy. Both work well and I've cranked up some slobs on the pro gear.
I want to get a little more drag So I dont have to thumb the spool and I can get to cranking. So what would you recommend?
1. Install upgraded parts, new stainless parts and maybe drag insert?
2. Recommend a more capable stock reel with more drag?
I'd say moving up to this 7-stack kit should give you a bit more power on top. 8)
https://www.mysticparts.com/CustomParts/UltimateUpgrades/UU-PENN113H.aspx
On the 113H get the gears,bridge etc.from pro challenger. Might also check out a penn Baja special, those are around used, so mucho bang for your buck. Next step would be one of the many 2 speeds available with crazy heavy drags, low gear would be a big benefit initially in that situation.
Where about,,,,,, :D I have fished out of fort pierce alot,,,,headboat lady stuart,,,I run 113h 80lb braid,, ht-100,,,, ;) 4.1 gears,,,,no problems,,,,,, ;D
You can try using the older Smoothdrag, smoothy type drag washers. Use them dry, they work fine and are easier to "lock up" should you want to do so.
I use them for shore based Yellowtail and prefer them to supper slippery greased washers.
Reasons are similar to yours.
Quote from: Benni3 on July 14, 2019, 05:54:52 AM
Where about,,,,,, :D I have fished out of fort pierce alot,,,,headboat lady stuart,,,I run 113h 80lb braid,, ht-100,,,, ;) 4.1 gears,,,,no problems,,,,,, ;D
I fish out of sebastian inlet. For most fish yes it's no problem I just landed a big red snapper on my pro gear, but we get some bruisers a big snapper or gag grouper will test your gear. I'm just looking for a little more drag so I dont have to take my hand off the handle to thumb the spool if they run for a cave or try to get under a rock.
Quote from: rippin_lips on July 14, 2019, 11:46:06 AM
Quote from: Benni3 on July 14, 2019, 05:54:52 AM
Where about,,,,,, :D I have fished out of fort pierce alot,,,,headboat lady stuart,,,I run 113h 80lb braid,, ht-100,,,, ;) 4.1 gears,,,,no problems,,,,,, ;D
I fish out of sebastian inlet. For most fish yes it's no problem I just landed a big red snapper on my pro gear, but we get some bruisers a big snapper or gag grouper will test your gear. I'm just looking for a little more drag so I dont have to take my hand off the handle to thumb the spool if they run for a cave or try to get under a rock.
mo's right drag washers,,,,, :D I love to check out the bait and tackle and pawn shops down there like de brooks and snook hook,,,,,,, ;) get some live shrimp and fish right off the bridge for red drum,,,,,,, ;D
Makaira 15T SEA.
The 2-speed won't hurt things either.
If you're not fishing on a party boat, I'd get a short, bent-butt stand-up rod to go with it. You can put a crazy amount of pressure on a fish with these setups.
Avet HXJ Raptor with 300 yds of 80# spectra and a top shot of whatever is appropriate. Rated for 40# of drag at strike.
Quote from: MarkT on July 14, 2019, 10:32:17 PM
Avet HXJ Raptor with 300 yds of 80# spectra and a top shot of whatever is appropriate. Rated for 40# of drag at strike.
Now that has my attention, 40 lbs at strike is no joke.
Quote from: rippin_lips on July 15, 2019, 01:01:28 AM
Quote from: MarkT on July 14, 2019, 10:32:17 PM
Avet HXJ Raptor with 300 yds of 80# spectra and a top shot of whatever is appropriate. Rated for 40# of drag at strike.
Now that has my attention, 40 lbs at strike is no joke.
They are very good proven reels. They will make 40 lbs. of drag. However they are I think better fished below 30. They will do OK used with drag at 30 on occasion. Your certainly not going to destroy the reel. Bearings will need to be replaced when seeing regular use at this level. Not an issue for some. Many like them for lite weight giant tuna killers. The ones I know doing this rebuild their reels replacing bearings after every trip... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on July 15, 2019, 02:34:05 AM
Quote from: rippin_lips on July 15, 2019, 01:01:28 AM
Quote from: MarkT on July 14, 2019, 10:32:17 PM
Avet HXJ Raptor with 300 yds of 80# spectra and a top shot of whatever is appropriate. Rated for 40# of drag at strike.
Now that has my attention, 40 lbs at strike is no joke.
They are very good proven reels. They will make 40 lbs. of drag. However they are I think better fished below 30. They will do OK used with drag at 30 on occasion. Your certainly not going to destroy the reel. Bearings will need to be replaced when seeing regular use at this level. Not an issue for some. Many like them for lite weight giant tuna killers. The ones I know doing this rebuild their reels replacing bearings after every trip... Jeff
That's why I tend to stick with star drag reels for situations that need a locked down drag.
Just ordered a stainless double dog bridge with stainless sleeve and a 7-stack drag kit. We'll see what that gets me.
Curious if anyone has tried the accurate twin drag star reel?
The Acurrate star drag most likely wont do well meeting your expected capability.
I think your headed in a good direction with an upgraded 4/0. Based on what you desire & describe.
Also keep in mind especially if you fishing around Florida. The 4/0 holds a butt load of line. I would encourage you to try fishing a hopped up 4/0 not completely filled with line. Usually easy to do when using spectra.
The gains you will see are well worth it I think.
Which is more cranking power & more drag. All with out adding more stress to the reel.
Only you can decide how much line is needed.
I just know if 300 or 150 yards will get it done I'm not loading 500 yards on the reel in light of the performance gains I get from under spooling a reel of this size.
Its like cutting off my right arm..... Just makes no sense to me... Jeff
Also dont forget the other part of this equation which is the rod.
Buy or put together the best reel you can & place it on the wrong rod & you'll have a miserable time making use of what the reel has to offer. This is even more true given your fishing scenario.
As most know I am a huge fan of UC rods. I build on their blanks & fish them my self. There is in my opinion no better rod blank for your type fishing than the United Composites Challenger Platinum. Comes in 5' - 8' models rated for all line classes to 100 lb. line.
This is an extremely fast, very durable blank that you can lean hard on. It has to be fished to fully appreciate & understand. I can safely say there is no other blank like it made by any one... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on July 16, 2019, 01:20:20 PM
Also dont forget the other part of this equation which is the rod.
Buy or put together the best reel you can & place it on the wrong rod & you'll have a miserable time making use of what the reel has to offer. This is even more true given your fishing scenario.
As most know I am a huge fan of UC rods. I build on their blanks & fish them my self. There is in my opinion no better rod blank for your type fishing than the United Composites Challenger Platinum. Comes in 5' - 8' models rated for all line classes to 100 lb. line.
This is an extremely fast, very durable blank that you can lean hard on. It has to be fished to fully appreciate & understand. I can safely say there is no other blank like it made by any one... Jeff
Any recommendations for a rod builder?
All 6 of my UC's are factory rods.
Like Mark said you can get them factory wrapped.
I have also been building rods for a bit now. I believe you get a bit more for not much more money with one of my rods. If for whatever reason your not happy I'll make it right.
There are pics here of some of my builds. PM me if interested... Jeff
There are a lot of good points on here! I took my Tib Frame YTS on it's maiden trip on an 8 day last month and for what its worth, it worked great. Didn't get "rocked" by any Yellowtail on The Ridge and wasn't fazed at all by a BFT in the 50-80# class (in the interest of transparency, I actually pulled the hook on the BFT after a trip around the boat, but hey, it happens). Internals are everything you just purchased, along with a 4:1 SS gear set. It did take some "massaging" to get everything to play nice but hey, that's the nature of customization.
The slight irony of this, I love my Avet's (had a JX6/3 on this trip) and UC Rods, but none of those were all together in the same combo. The hotrodded 113H was on an old Fenwick Pacificstik (I couldn't cast it to save my life but it was a BLAST to fish...) - I think you are going to be happy with your setup with the 7 stack.
I got this rod and reel in fort pierce for $25 and before I was a member here Scott's bait and tackle put in 4.1 gears stainless sleeve,,,,new drag,,,aluminum spool,,,,, :D it has a old fiberglass magnuflex rod,,,,, :) it's my favorite pier and headboard rod all the mates like it and so does my girlfriend so I don't get to use it,,, :D but that's ok,,,,,,,, ;D
Just installed the new double dog bridge and one of the dog springs was getting caught up in the main gear and got all bent out of shape. So now I have a double dog bridge with only 1 working dog. Kind of disappointed to say the least.
Stuff like that happens. Each time it does it makes you better than before. I know, that dont help much but it is the truth... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on July 18, 2019, 01:26:00 AM
Stuff like that happens. Each time it does it makes you better than before. I know, that dont help much but it is the truth... Jeff
Well, managed to make a new spring out of a 113h dog spring so now 2 dogs function and hopefully it holds. Also the 7 stack washer kit wasnt tall enough so I successfully added an extra HT-100 washer and keyed washer to make it an 8 stack. Going fishing Friday so should get a workout.
Just a suggestion but I would tie your line off to something solid & repeatedly walk off line at a decent drag setting until reel gets warm.
Dont worry if line doesnt come off smooth under load it will eventually. If it doesnt something isnt right.
The drag will wear in & in a lot of cases become smoother. A decent fish will do the same. I just like knowing stuff works right & is smooth prior to fishing it... Jeff
Do you have a carbon fiber or some washer beneath the gear ?
Quote from: Rivverrat on July 18, 2019, 03:53:27 AM
Do you have a carbon fiber or some washer beneath the gear ?
Yes
Gave the new upgrades a workout today. They performed well and I'm very pleased. Double alternating dogs is a huge improvement. The 8 stack drag had some balls, ended up getting taken by a huge goliath grouper and the drag had way more stopping power. Now i just need to figure out how to get my braid spooled on tighter because at those drag pressures it just crushed the line underneath it.
I always like hearing when some one puts something together that meets their expectations fishing. Good for you.. Jeff