Reel Repair by Alan Tani

A 9/0 for wahoo? IMO that's way over kill. A standard 113H, maybe with upgraded drags should handle the hoo's easily, of course that's depending what you drag for lures. I have seen people catch and I have pulled on wahoo caught on way smaller reels than a 9/0 but if that is what works in your area that's cool.

Why such a big reel for fish that don't fight that hard, just wondering?

If its east coast style high speed trolling, you are looking at 10-15 lbs of drag just to keep the lure from pulling line, and 25+ lbs to winch the fish in if the boat wont slow.  And you still need enough capacity to handle runs from the fish.  From what Ive seen, the minimum recommended reel is a 50 size for high speed wahoo trolling here, with most preferring an 80 or 80w. 

I get it on the East coast if you hook a wahoo the boat wont stop. Who cares if there is other fish in the school?

Granted most wahoo don't school in big numbers or by the time you hook a fish the school has not moved, but can't they wait to see if more fish can be hooked on bait?

Don't get me wrong, what works for the area you fish is fine. But, if the boat tried anything like that here on the left coast they would not have many riders. "We hooked a fish but we are not stopping, sorry" would not fly here....lol

I'm sure private boat fishing is different there. Looking to drag lures all day is fine, but if you have a hook up and the boat wont stop, what the heck?

I only troll around 12-14 knots for the hoo so I'm sure that plays a roll. Still IMO a 9/0 is not needed here, but there is more than one way to catch fish.

Quote from: Three se7ens on February 17, 2017, 03:15:58 AM
If its east coast style high speed trolling, you are looking at 10-15 lbs of drag just to keep the lure from pulling line, and 25+ lbs to winch the fish in if the boat wont slow.  And you still need enough capacity to handle runs from the fish.  From what Ive seen, the minimum recommended reel is a 50 size for high speed wahoo trolling here, with most preferring an 80 or 80w. 

x2 and you dont know what your going to hook

Quote from: SoCalAngler on February 17, 2017, 03:43:33 AM
I get it on the East coast if you hook a wahoo the boat wont stop. Who cares if there is other fish in the school?

Granted most wahoo don't school in big numbers or by the time you hook a fish the school has not moved, but can't they wait to see if more fish can be hooked on bait?

Don't get me wrong, what works for the area you fish is fine. But, if the boat tried anything like that here on the left coast they would not have many riders. "We hooked a fish but we are not stopping, sorry" would not fly here....lol

I'm sure private boat fishing is different there. Looking to drag lures all day is fine, but if you have a hook up and the boat wont stop, what the heck?

I only troll around 12-14 knots for the hoo so I'm sure that plays a roll. Still IMO a 9/0 is not needed here, but there is more than one way to catch fish.

a really fun day fishing with my dad at the lake

Sorry for the late reply I just saw this latest post. We do drag at least 4 to 5 pounds of weight around plus really big lures. All at 15 to 25 knots. My last trip we had one with about 28 to 30 pounds of drag on it and it wouldn't hold past 8 to 10 knots. Steadily creeping line off.  So we're having to step it up a notch. As for the not stopping when we have a fish, that's more because with the heavy weights and long leaders, any slack and hoos will shake off.

Yes sir total newbie here

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I'm kind of going off topic here, but I'm curious about high speed trolling with heavy lures and a 9/0 (or any star drag reel for that matter).  Specifically, I'm wondering about feeding the lure back and putting the reel in gear.  I can't imagine slamming a reel into gear with a heavy lure ripping line out at 16 knots on a star drag reel set at 15-20 lb of drag (which I imagine is needed to hold the lure when trolling that fast).  Do you back the drag down when letting line out to prevent the pinion from getting damaged when putting the reel into gear?  Or do you back the drag way down and let line out with the reel in gear, and then just crank down the drag star when it is back far enough?
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Not sure if you ever got an answer, but this is the problem with star drags. If you try to engage the drag when the star isn't backed off, either the reel will chatter and fail to engage or the jolt will damage the pinion gear or spool drive shoulder sooner or later. Either stop the reel with a thumb and engage when the spool is static or back off the drag before engaging and then wind up the star again.

Same issue when trolling lures for marlin: if the reel has the drag set and is in freespool when the lure is hit, engagement by flicking the lever is 'tricky'; if the star is backed off to allow free-running and the reel left in gear, you have the delay when winding up the star to your best guess at a strike drag. But, all things are possible.

You can't troll with the reel in free spool.  The clicker does not provide enough tension. Back the drag off to troll and tighten drag to retrieve.  Judge the drag tension by feel and the bend in the rod.

Quote from: oc1 on April 25, 2026, 05:04:22 PMYou can't troll with the reel in free spool.  The clicker does not provide enough tension. Back the drag off to troll and tighten drag to retrieve.  Judge the drag tension by feel and the bend in the rod.

Yes. Free spool should only be used on a big rig like that to let line out. With the clicker engaged you will be able to hear/grab the rig on a light drag and make the adjustments.