Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Welcome! => Beginner's Board => Topic started by: Rancanfish on September 03, 2021, 02:56:48 AM

Title: Albacore Reel
Post by: Rancanfish on September 03, 2021, 02:56:48 AM
Hey you guys that have actually gone for Albacore,  what reels do you use?  It's too late to pare down my collection of reels as they are already packed, but want to know what specs are preferred, as in inches per turn, capacity, etc.  Model number and brand.

I will be in Oregon at my new place in a month and hear they actually get pretty close.  I might not get a chance until next season but I WILL get some.

I have reels that say Albacore special on them lol, but two different sizes there too.

I'm also going to try big sardine or anchovy flies if we get on a school of smaller footballs.  My biggest fly rod is a 9wt.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Alan Matsuno on September 03, 2021, 03:21:25 AM
I am in Northern CA, I fish 20, 25, and 30.  Saltwater duty reels.  If the boat does not supply troll gear, I bring 60#.

If you can land a 30# salmon on your 9wt, go for it.  If you are fishing a party boat, and take a long time to land your fish and the school moves, you prevent the boat from following the school.  A 15# albacore tied to a 30# tail to tail, the albacore will tow that salmon anywhere it wants.

Are you on a private boat or party?

Albacore Special, are they Pro Gear?
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Rancanfish on September 03, 2021, 03:27:32 AM
Definitely on my own boat.  And yes, all ProGear.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: PacRat on September 03, 2021, 03:49:24 AM
Back in the day when we had albacore in SoCal the Penn 99 aka 'Albacore Special' was THE reel...loaded with 30 lb mono. With that said...things have evolved but your ProGears should be good-to-go.

History of the Penn 99 Albacore Special

Here's a brief history of the 99 size reels which will either clarify it or completely confuse you:

Penn made a 99 model also known as a Silver Beach. Width wise it is between a 500 and a 501 also the spool diameter is the same. The left sideplate has an inner & outer ring on it and the reel also has a 1-screw take apart just like the Jigmasters. The other major difference is the main and pinion gears in a Penn 99 Silver Beach are the same as a Surfmaster with a 3:1 gear ratio. Most of the "99's" that you see today are converted 500's or 501's with either 4:1 or 5:1 gears in them, same basic reel as a Newell 332 size wise.

In southern California during the 60's and 70's, the Jigmaster 99 conversion was a favorite among the old Japanese guys that fished the day boats out of southern California.  They would pull a side plate off a Jigmaster and slap it on a 99 frame and spool.  It made a great 25 to 30 pound reel. Straight 30 pound mono was the line of choice in those days, and the 501 just didn't hold enough, while the 500 held more than was needed for albies. The 500's, drag was much better, and of course faster gears too.

The late, great Jerry Morris is credited with coining the term "Albacore Special" after mating Jigmaster 500 sideplates with a Penn 99 Silver Beach spool and frame circa 1966.

The first commercial use of the name 'Albacore Special' was a Newell kit. Carl Newell (a good friend of Jerry's) made bars, base and spool and called it a Model #99 Albacore Special.  This kit fit Penn Jigmasters to make the 99 size which is between the full 500 and the 501 sizes. On a Penn 99 Silver Beach sideplate the bar screw holes are set too wide apart (center to center) for Newell 300 Series or Jigmaster bars, but Newell 145 (Squidder) bars will fit them. Also, the base on Penn 99's have three screw holes, not two like all the other normal Penn reels of that size.

The 99 width is the size of a Newell 332 (2 1/8"), which is a very desirable size in the 300 series. Carl Also made the Newell 338 (2 7/16") which is the identical width of a Penn 500, and 322 (1 5/8") which is the same width as a Penn 501. A 99 Albacore Special is Penn 500 Jigmaster converted with Newell kit, or any of many other companies and machinist that have made frames for these fine reels.

These are amazing reels, especially when you look at the time-frame that Penn and Newell started making them. At the time these were considered the absolute best reels made.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: whalebreath on September 03, 2021, 04:19:13 AM
Shimano TLD15 straight out of the box or tarted up- load with 60# Power Pro and a topshot of 30# mono.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Rancanfish on September 03, 2021, 04:24:55 AM
I have a built Tiburon framed Penn 99 too.  I have a bunch of fully capable reels as I'm sure a lot of us do, but the question is which reel do you actually take?

I have two each of;
Penn 990
Penn Baja w/ Cortez bridges
Newell 338j
Penn 4/0 narrows from Randy
Pro Gear 501's
PG Alby Specials
Penn 525 mag
Daiwa 40HSD
...well you get the idea.  But I have just never fished albacore.  What's Ted using?

Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Maxed Out on September 03, 2021, 04:27:05 AM
 Super high speed gears are not needed for albacore. Once hooked it's pump and reel. Short strokes keeps fish in death spiral. A stock 4/1 jigmaster 500 is all you need.

I fish albacore with a Cortez 99 jigmaster with mostly stock internals. It's a live bait setup, and Oregon has no live bait available, so you'd want to be more setup for irons or jigs

Ted
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: RowdyW on September 03, 2021, 06:30:09 AM
Does a Penn 112H fit in this category? It's similar in size & same gearing  as a 99 jigmaster. Just a little larger diameter. If not what's the purpose of a 112H? I've just got a soft spot for stock to fully tricked out 112H's.       Rudy
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Cor on September 03, 2021, 08:54:09 AM
I guess it would also depend on the size of the fish, but I would generally use the same tackle I would use for Yellowtail of 15lb upwards.
Much of this is just personal preferences and what I am accustomed to and we tend to use the same class of reels for most purposes.    The main reason for this is that we cast at all our fish, sometimes over a distance, so a good casting reel that you are familiar with becomes more important.

Any Star drag, reel that can hold 350yds of 50 lb line, a drag that works (maybe 15 lb)   I have never seen a reel break on Albacore, but some are easier than others.

I have used or seen used by mates:
DAIWA SL-X40SHA   (Not advised)
SHIMANO  TRANX 500HG
SHIMANO TORIUM TN30 (with modified AR pawl)
SHIMANO TLD 20/40
SALTIGA 40 HK  (This is my preferred reel)
DAIWA SL50SH

Sometimes we find Yellowfin Tuna amongst the Albecore, that may become a problem.  ;D

Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: thorhammer on September 03, 2021, 11:11:33 AM
Quote from: RowdyW on September 03, 2021, 06:30:09 AM
Does a Penn 112H fit in this category? It's similar in size & same gearing  as a 99 jigmaster. Just a little larger diameter. If not what's the purpose of a 112H? I've just got a soft spot for stock to fully tricked out 112H's.       Rudy

Agree, Rudy- two of my favorite reels are 112H with Tib frames and CC plates- Tom REALLY made a custom fit and shape on these and they are fantastic. Trying to figure out what to use them on. Probably snapper and cobia.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: RowdyW on September 03, 2021, 01:47:04 PM
I would like to try the one I went all in on.  10 tooth fine thread ss sleeve & dog, Penn steel main gear, Bryan's 5+1 drags, Newell spool, BP's offset arm, and of course Tom's plates on a Tiburon frame. All done in RED! 60lb braid with a top shot of clear 50lb mono on a 6 or 6 1/2 ft  50# rod. I'd like to hook into a good sized Wahoo or King Mackerel. It's not a 30# reel anymore. It's not a winch but it is strong enough for pump & reel. If you think 112H's aren't desirable take a a look on ebay. Asking prices are generally higher then comparable 500's,113h's & even some 114H's. And they are mostly dumping the ones with chrome spools.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: El Pescador on September 03, 2021, 01:56:51 PM
Penn Torque 100 Star Drag Reel!

I borrowed this reel from Dominick for a great Albacore fishing day,

It is a very solid & worthy reel, REELY!!! :o

Wayne
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: RowdyW on September 03, 2021, 02:10:00 PM
Wayneo I think it's more fun to build it yourself.  ;)  Of course there are over a hundred reels that will do the job. I bet "my" modified  112H weighs less & is a whole lot cheaper than any Torque.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: nelz on September 03, 2021, 02:26:39 PM
Quote from: El Pescador on September 03, 2021, 01:56:51 PMPenn Torque 100 Star Drag Reel!
It is a very solid & worthy reel, REELY!!! :o

Right on Wayne, I love my Torque 100... um except your photo is of the 300  ???
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: nelz on September 03, 2021, 02:35:03 PM
We're having a run of large Bonita at the pier recently, averaging 20 pounders, some pushing 30. I imagine they're as tough or more so than Albacore (I've never caught an Albie). My Penn 501 handled them beautifully. Next time I took out the PG 545, also great, but lost several due to line problems.

These fish also like to turn and come straight at you, and I found myself wanting a faster reel then, but cranking super-fast did the trick. Bonita blitz!

Definitely gonna try my Torque 100 next time at 6 to 1.

PG 545
Penn 501
Torque 100
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Keta on September 03, 2021, 07:08:05 PM
Our albacore run 15-30 pounds with a rare one over 30 and most in the 20-25 pound range so mid size reels are not needed.  For trolling and dead bait I would say a 4:1 gear ratio is perfect.  A Senator 113H size reel will work but is over kill even when spooled with mono, a Jigmaster 500 size would be better but a 99 size better still, and for dead bait a Jigmaster 501 size reel works well.  If you are not using Spectra a bit larger reel might be OK.  For jigging a higher gear ratio would be better but a smaller reel can be used.

My go to reel for albacore is a Avet MX but I have caught them on ABU 5601C4 reels, but would not recommend a LW.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: funhog on September 03, 2021, 08:51:12 PM
 In SoCal, Daiwa SL20SH and the SL30SH were a favorite for bait fishing albacore back in the 90s -early 2000s. Their advertising campain was "the reel that taught the pinhead anchovy how to fly". The Newell 200 series was also popular. I still fish with both.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Rancanfish on September 04, 2021, 12:33:11 AM
Yeah I bet the 229 would be a kick.  And I have a black Torque 12 I still haven't fished.

A friend of a friend that I met, wanted all my squidders.  He swore by them for albacore.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: SoCalAngler on September 04, 2021, 06:20:49 PM
Most of it has been covered but I'll add my 2 cents.

Back in the day I caught 100's of the long fins with a TLD 15 and 30 lb test. Now that reel is long retired. If they ever show up again here in So Cal I have a Newell G220 with 15 lb test on it for when the anchovies are no more bigger than two eyes and a wiggle. Any reel suited for 25-30 lb test should be fine. A Penn Fathom 15 star drag, Diawa SL 20's and 30's, Avet SX or MX and many more fit into that 25-30 lb test range so go with the ones you like or the ones you already have. Also spinners will work fine, being in So Cal we are mostly a live bait fishery so I'd lean towards spinning reels with a good live line/live bait feature.

Albacore are one of the weakest fighting tuna IMO and I have been lucky enough to get them in the 40 lb class, almost 50 lb. I never went over the 30 lb test range and never thought I needed a 2 speed reel for them.

Now there have been some jumbo's caught in years past, albies in the 70 lb range, in central and northern CA but I have no experience with them. If those showed here I'd most likely rethink my gear selection.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Rancanfish on September 04, 2021, 09:33:40 PM
Love the anchovy description, lol.

I also have 3500 Baitrunners I could use if the albies promise to stay football sized. 

It's going to be fun regardless.  I just have to remember to think 'retired' so I don't work as much and just go fishing.

I did score a jar of tuna today if that counts.  8)
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Maxed Out on September 04, 2021, 11:46:31 PM
 Randy, you can get some info on Oregon albacore fishing from ifish.com  There's plenty info there to get your blood pumping
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: nelz on September 05, 2021, 01:52:59 AM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on September 04, 2021, 06:20:49 PMAlbacore are one of the weakest fighting tuna IMO...

Well I guess I was mistaken comparing them with Bonitas! Believe me, "Bonies" will put any one of the aforementioned reels to the test, and will expose any weakness in your tackle, as they are pound for pound among the hardest fighting of all fish!
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Rancanfish on September 05, 2021, 01:57:47 AM
Quote from: Maxed Out on September 04, 2021, 11:46:31 PM
Randy, you can get some info on Oregon albacore fishing from ifish.com  There's plenty info there to get your blood pumping

Thanks for the info Ted.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: MarkT on September 05, 2021, 02:04:38 AM
Back when we had Albacore in So Cal I used a Penn GS 535 w/25# as my goto reel together with a GS 525 for 20#.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: PacRat on September 05, 2021, 02:39:13 AM
Quote from: nelz on September 05, 2021, 01:52:59 AM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on September 04, 2021, 06:20:49 PMAlbacore are one of the weakest fighting tuna IMO...

Well I guess I was mistaken comparing them with Bonitas! Believe me, "Bonies" will put any one of the aforementioned reels to the test, and will expose any weakness in your tackle, as they are pound for pound among the hardest fighting of all fish!

One time we were bottom-fishing out of Santa Barbara and the skipper told us to wind them in for the day but the crew was having anchor issues so I decided to make a couple more casts. I tied on a jig I had just won as a door-prize. Got a hit on the first drop and it was giving me hell. When I could see color I mumbled "Damn...a bone-head". The deck-hand leaned over and said,"Don't lose it...you've got the jackpot." The guy that caught the giant ling on the first drop of the day was kind of pissed but I took the cash and the trophy. I never dreamed I would jackpot on a bone-head.

-Mike
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: nelz on September 05, 2021, 02:45:39 AM
I just had one snap 40lb Berkley Big Game when it dug into the spool. Clean break, middle of the line, not a knot.  :o   >:(
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: whalebreath on September 05, 2021, 04:30:42 AM

Quote from: Maxed Out on September 04, 2021, 11:46:31 PMRandy, you can get some info on Oregon albacore fishing from ifish.com
Make that https://www.ifish.net/

Quote from: nelz on September 05, 2021, 02:45:39 AM
I just had one snap 40lb Berkley Big Game when it dug into the spool. Clean break, middle of the line, not a knot.
Probably a slub Berkley is notorious for that kind of thing.

Quote from: SoCalAngler on September 04, 2021, 06:20:49 PMAlbacore are one of the weakest fighting tuna IMO
Not as weak as Blackfin they are truly disappointing both on the line and on the plate.

Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: nelz on September 05, 2021, 06:33:44 AM
Quote from: whalebreath on September 05, 2021, 04:30:42 AMProbably a slub Berkley is notorious for that kind of thing.

What's a slub?  Anyway, I changed out the line and trashed it.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Swami805 on September 05, 2021, 11:45:24 AM
Best eating tuna on the west coast, especially good when Ted cans them.  Raw, canned, baked, blackened, good stuff.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: whalebreath on September 05, 2021, 09:35:09 PM

Quotenoun: slub

a lump or thick place in yarn or thread-fabric woven from yarn or thread containing lumps or thick spots.

adjective: slub

(of fabric) having an irregular appearance caused by uneven thickness of the warp.
"slub silk"
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: philaroman on September 06, 2021, 12:37:34 AM
"slub silk" sounds familiar...  had a really cheap silk long-sleeve -- felt like thin, lumpy combed cotton
excellent for thermal undies, if you don't like the feel of synthetic fabrics
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: nelz on September 06, 2021, 01:23:39 AM
Berkley Big Game is mono though.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: whalebreath on September 06, 2021, 01:45:10 AM
Quote from: nelz on September 06, 2021, 01:23:39 AM
Berkley Big Game is mono though.
It's mono that is produced in tremendous quantities and if you've ever filled dozens of reels from monster sized spools you would have seen this and/or flat spots in the line -those are called slubs and what Berkley is notorious for.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Wompus Cat on September 06, 2021, 02:24:53 AM
Ya want Albacore ,Get an Albacore Reel  from H/I  ;D
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: johndtuttle on September 06, 2021, 11:55:22 PM
Standard Albie plan:

Trollers: 4/0 sized reel with 40# mono, feathers, plugs, bars with multiple lures, cedar plugs in the wake. 2-speed nice for winching in plugs that have a lot of resistance....if you go enough your 4/0 reel will get dumped by a mystery giant, likely BFT so some troll big reels hoping....someday....

Bait after the troll stop: 3/0 reel with 30# mono and again, low speed reels for bait or trolling. 2-speeds will winch 'em to the boat faster...can make the difference as the boat only stopping once or twice all day is common.

People cast anchovy sized iron on w/e they have. Not established, afaik, that albies will hit poppers.

Hours of boredom interspersed with a few minutes of madness is the tuna game. Maximize troll stops: let the troll fish hang and get chunks and bait in the water to try and hook a few more and keep the school around.

All of the above can be fished with braid too if you have modern reels with instant AR, ideally.
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: thorhammer on September 29, 2021, 08:48:12 PM
note- lot of difference between Ted's delicious albacore and "false" albacore we have on East coast- while they fight hard, they are barely sharkbait. 
Title: Re: Albacore Reel
Post by: Ron Jones on October 01, 2021, 01:50:57 AM
An appropriate reel for albacore?
The man called it an albacore special for  reason! The fish haven't changed.

The Man