Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Quote from: Brewcrafter on May 18, 2023, 06:04:08 AMLegitimate question.  One that I get all the time in my field of work.  And when somebody asks me what my favorite beer is my answer is always 'it depends" (where am I?  What am I having for food or snacks alongside?  What is the weather like? etc, etc.)  And this question about reels is the same loaded question.  I have a garage full of equipment for a reason, and have MANY favorites depending on what is on the agenda that day. Not taking my beloved 4200SS down to Huntington Beach for barred surf perch.  Not taking my beloved Penn VISX20 up to Big Bear to troll for stocker trout (only Benni has the cajones to do that).  I work really hard to convince SWMBO that every piece of equipment in my shop has a purpose, time, and place - and that they are all "favorites" - and in todays world of the internet I'm not gonna burn myself down by picking "ONE favorite".    - john

Quote from: cbar45ive on February 09, 2026, 02:52:42 AMSenator 113-HLW
706-Z on a Fenwick Atlanticstick
Daiwa BG/GS/SS Series

 Whole heartedly with you on the Daiwas, I've got a pretty good sample of the classics but if I had to pick just one it would be the BG15. Pike fishing is my main passion and that reel is pretty much the perfect spinner for it, I've got a couple spare spools and have used it for walleye and stream trout as well. At this point its mine sits in a box labeled "Retirement reels", letting the daily wear and tear fall on other reels, but like the lable suggests it will be back on the water eventually.

 Always wanted a Penn Z badly, but I do so little saltwater fishing I never could justify the expense. Whenever I do make it to the sea I've got a Daiwa 2600c and a Penn 6500ss that I picked up for next to nothing and continue to work just fine.

Daiwa SS Tournament 1600.

I can (and do) crush largemouth bass with it.
I've caught catfish up to 30 lbs with it with no drama.
Bluefish in the 25" range at the beach? No problem.
Pretty sure with light braid and a well-played fight it could handle king mackeral, for sure from a boat.

Might be a good YouTube challenge series, catch every gamefish in my state (NC) from trout in the mountains to king mackeral and big drum on the coast, with an SS 1600 on a 7ft Ugly Stik!