Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Quote from: Bill B on April 29, 2026, 03:05:12 PMand a handle upgrade.... 

I was thinking a nice aluminum offset arm with an International long banana for giggles.

I was thinking 100# braid with a long 80# mono topshot.  It's that being too optimistic?

Quote from: Hardy Boy on April 29, 2026, 11:49:37 PM

Quote from: Keta on April 29, 2026, 10:55:21 PM

Quote from: Hardy Boy on April 29, 2026, 10:17:36 PMI just throw what ever i take out of Lee's or Marks box ...honestly I've never had a problem with any of the normal size ones which are 3 oz ish. Never had a reason to throw smaller or lighter.

Cheers

Todd

 And return them without finish.  See you in August.

I cant help it if I caught 15 plus tuna in a few hours ...

Todd

Yup!

Quote from: Keta on April 29, 2026, 10:55:21 PM

Quote from: Hardy Boy on April 29, 2026, 10:17:36 PMI just throw what ever i take out of Lee's or Marks box ...honestly I've never had a problem with any of the normal size ones which are 3 oz ish. Never had a reason to throw smaller or lighter.

Cheers

Todd

 And return them without finish.  See you in August.

I cant help it if I caught 15 plus tuna in a few hours ...

Todd

Quote from: Midway Tommy on April 29, 2026, 05:33:59 AMHopefully it will be positive level flotation when you get 'er done.

Tommy,

Funny you mention balance because it has been on my mind. I am replacing the plywood back to factory, every piece. I saved the old ones as templated. However, the former owner/s gutted a lot of the stern floatation foam out to add storage. I don't like the idea of taking a wave and will be restoring it back to factory specs.

Two of the areas are aft at each corner. They used to be filled with foam; they currently house two batteries. The six-gallon fuel tank used to sit in front of the motor. I have a 20-gallon tank from one of my old boats that I will be using which needs to go more forward.

With just the weight of two batteries and the fuel I'll be stern heavy but here's the kicker, I want to install a 40 or 50 horsepower four stroke motor as well. Which are also heavy.

So, I will be playing the balancing game. My intent is to move the two batteries to the center seat bench, or maybe to the forward bench seat, and put the fuel tank directly behind the center seat to get more weight forward.

I know some may be thinking why a 20-gallon tank, but I also carry a spare battery. This boat will be used for near shore fishing and I like getting home.

I have my work cut out for me.

Quote from: MolBasser on April 29, 2026, 01:41:57 PMLooks like a great project.

I'm eagerly following.

It's definitely aggressive for a 16' boat.

Quote from: jgp12000 on April 29, 2026, 09:05:21 PMI imagine the maiden voyage will be rewarding, fish will be jumping in the boat!

jgp12000, one of my life long high school buddies can't wait to catch the first fish in my new boat. Which he has done for the past 5 or 6 boats...   

Sardine is different than an iron.  If you have good thumb control.... you are fine .... don't over think it. I learned to cast gor salmon and steelhead. So cal stuff is easy if you can do that....same for bass fishermen I would guestodd

Lee said I should practice flipping a clothespin.  What would you use to simulate an average sized sardine?

Quote from: Hardy Boy on April 29, 2026, 10:17:36 PMI just throw what ever i take out of Lee's or Marks box ...honestly I've never had a problem with any of the normal size ones which are 3 oz ish. Never had a reason to throw smaller or lighter.

Cheers

Todd

 And return them without finish.  See you in August.

Okay, I am going to try and throw some light on this one, looking at our SoCal fisheries.  Not sure what your long term goal is with lightest, but I is will try and throw some "real world" at it.
The single biggest factor - the guy holding the rod and skill level.  And for that all I can say (as a mediocre caster myself) is practice, practice, practice.  That reel, especially with the MC cast option (standard on Raptors) is pretty forgiving, so you are in good shape there.
As far as the actually weight, most of the popular "surface irons" (think Tady, Salas) that you would be using in SoCal are made of aluminum or zinc, and most seem to weigh about 3-4 oz throwing a few of mine here on the kitchen scale.  And while it might be nice to bomb one out there like the deckhand, the truth is you really need to only reach the fish (and there will usually be a crew member up on top of the bait tank scattering bait with the intention of bringing the fish in closer to the boat).
In my mind the bigger challenge (and one that you outfit is certainly capable of) is lobbing a live sardine out from the boat in such a way that A - it doesn't get tossed off the hook, B- Does not get stunned by slamming into the water.  The hope here is to get the bait out away from the boat, and in good shape where it will begin swimming out away further.  And while sardines can vary quite a bit in size and weight, it would not be unusual to have some that are 3 oz or less, and this is a situation you will likely find yourself in (and again, with practice, that outfit is very capable and has the "wheaties" to take down a serious yellowtail or smaller tuna).  Anything much lighter than that (think anchovies) Well, it can be done but only by better folks than I.  And of course in any bait situation it is entirely reasonable to add a small sliding egg sinker (think 1/2oz +) to help add a little weight to get that bait out there.  Hope I haven't totally put you in the weeds. - john

If you're talking about surface iron they range from about 2.25 to 3.5 in weight depending on the model. A lot will depend on the rod too, needs to load up (bend) to cast well
Don't worry too much about distance at first, it will come with practice. Learn to read the situation of where to throw your jig. Fish boils, birds activity, nervous water are all keys of where to drop a jig