Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Ted (Maxed Out) hit the key points.  Looking at it from a purely reel function standpoint:

The non-direct drive reels that we normally use don't allow for a maximum winding load that is greater to the drag setting. This can be a disadvantage when you target  larger fish with lighter drag settings.  Normally, you want the extra load when winding. 

With a non direct drive, you would need to be constantly fiddling with the drag, and it is still impossible to back off quickly enough when that fish makes a sudden run.

The other  difference is that these reels gives you the equivalent  of a 1:1 gear ratio, which is handy when you are fighting  a fish  with a longer, softer rod that is not so good for pumping.  But it sucks for the times when you need to wind fast. This is the main tradeoff.

Nearly all fly reels are direct drive (AKA single action) for the exact same reasons. Even the big game gear.

I have to confess that I am not exactly  sold on the efficiency of direct drive for salmon trolling with modern braid.  But the experience when using this gear is still a blast.  If you want the authentic experience, you have fish with a crazy long bendy rod and a single action reel.  Tweed outfit is optional.

-J

Quote from: Maxed Out on August 11, 2025, 10:11:38 PM

Quote from: Vintage Offshore Tackle on August 11, 2025, 03:54:22 PMAlan, can you explain why the Canadians love those direct drive reels? 

 I resemble that remark. Lots of guys in washington use the single action reels for chasing salmon in the saltwater. They're commonly referred to as "knucklebusters", cause if the salmon turns to run, and you dont let go of the knob, the salmon will tear the knob from your fingers and your knuckles will get smacked as the handles turn when the salmon is taking out line. The drag is very minimal on these reels, and mostly keeps the reel from backlashing into a knotted mess. I've reeled in several halibut up to 100# with my knucklebusters, and lotta king salmon up to 55#.

 Gregg, pound for pound, a 15+ pound coho is by far the toughest fight. They can be just a few feet from the net, and turn and go zero to 50 in a split second. The best fighting king salmon is 18-22# pounders. The bigger ones get tired fast. Kinda like a slender athlete can do 100yd dash, and hardly be winded, but a fat outta shape big guy will collapse after doing 100yd dash. As far as eating goes, coho is every bit as good as king salmon in my world

We've been friends for a long time and I had no dog in this fight, but here ya go funnin' on my runnin' skills.

If anyone would like the little DTF transfers of the AT logo, send me your address.

Ben

Ok, a quick follow-up on using single action reels for ocean salmon fishing.

Went out solo this morning fishing for king salmon. After releasing a few that were small, i remembered i wanted to take a pic of my reel in action. Grabbed my cell phone and just before I took a pic, my lure got hammered and instantly came off from the release clip on my downrigger. A nice fat 18 pounder. After getting my gear back down, finally got the pic of my knucklebuster. Its a graphite shimano and holds approximately 350yds of 30# mono. Up north in Canada its more common to see Islander knucklebusters, same size and same basic reel, but the Islander is all aluminum and more expensive. Also note, these single action knucklebusters are underhead reels.

Heres a better pic of the shimano reels i use for salmon. Drag knob in the center, and this one has seen over 20 years of use and lost 1 knob to Davy Jones locker, and with one knob missing, it will bust the knuckles half as bad. This shimano is the 2000gt which has a larger arbor than the 4000gt. Both reels are same size, but the 2000gt holds less line. Very simple internals. Just one drag washer on the center post. Reel comes apart by unscrewing the drag knob. This reel is also easily switched to left hand retrieve, by swapping around the L shape piece seen inside the reel. The line guide also gets moved over for left hand setup, and the line would be wound on the reel opposite direction for left hand configuration. The L shape piece actuates the freespool. The freespool lever is on the taiplate.

Quote from: Maxed Out on August 23, 2025, 07:44:41 PMHeres a better pic of the shimano reels i use for salmon. Drag knob in the center, and this one has seen over 20 years of use and lost 1 knob to Davy Jones locker, and with one knob missing, it will bust the knuckles half as bad. This shimano is the 2000gt which has a larger arbor than the 4000gt. Both reels are same size, but the 2000gt holds less line. Very simple internals. Just one drag washer on the center post. Reel comes apart by unscrewing the drag knob. This reel is also easily switched to left hand retrieve, by swapping around the L shape piece seen inside the reel. The line guide also gets moved over for left hand setup, and the line would be wound on the reel opposite direction for left hand configuration. The L shape piece actuates the freespool. The freespool lever is on the taiplate.

None better!

Ted, is there any reason for the cut of half of the head on the Salmon?

I dont recall seeing something like that before

Quote from: steelfish on August 26, 2025, 05:19:30 PMTed, is there any reason for the cut of half of the head on the Salmon?

I dont recall seeing something like that before

 Alex, I was wondering if anyone would notice that. Here's the answer...

 That salmon had a chip inserted into the head at the hatchery when it was a baby. When I get back to the boat launch, a fish checker scans the head, and if it has a chip, then they cut the top half of the head off for analysis by a state biologist, and the chip will let our fisheries dept know which hatchery it came from.

Quote from: Maxed Out on August 26, 2025, 07:28:35 PM

Quote from: steelfish on August 26, 2025, 05:19:30 PMTed, is there any reason for the cut of half of the head on the Salmon?

I dont recall seeing something like that before

 Alex, I was wondering if anyone would notice that. Here's the answer...

 That salmon had a chip inserted into the head at the hatchery when it was a baby. When I get back to the boat launch, a fish checker scans the head, and if it has a chip, then they cut the top half of the head off for analysis by a state biologist, and the chip will let our fisheries dept know which hatchety it came from.

thats pretty cool.