Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Quote from: Jim O on May 25, 2026, 07:34:28 PM

Quote from: Bill B on May 25, 2026, 05:38:19 PMThe Calcutta bag will do well for your trip.  As I think about it, and last year someone actually did, a large milk crate stuffed with Plano trays would work well.  🤔 Now my load out is an older Nomad bag (similar to the Calcutta) a plastic ammo can for lead (I'm that guy who takes 30# of lead) a reel bag that lives in the stateroom, and a milk crate that gets strapped down on the sun deck with various oversized trays for trolling lures and miscellaneous junk with 6 rod tubes.  I share the milk crate with another member on the trip.

As Sheridan stated the 40# and 50#-60# rigs will do most of the work.  My 100# on a long range gets used less than a trolling rig but it CAN do double duty depending on what it is.  I wouldn't sweat it. 

Quote from: Jim O on May 25, 2026, 07:34:28 PM

Quote from: Bill B on May 25, 2026, 05:38:19 PMThe Calcutta bag will do well for your trip.  As I think about it, and last year someone actually did, a large milk crate stuffed with Plano trays would work well.  🤔 Now my load out is an older Nomad bag (similar to the Calcutta) a plastic ammo can for lead (I'm that guy who takes 30# of lead) a reel bag that lives in the stateroom, and a milk crate that gets strapped down on the sun deck with various oversized trays for trolling lures and miscellaneous junk with 6 rod tubes.  I share the milk crate with another member on the trip.

As Sheridan stated the 40# and 50#-60# rigs will do most of the work.  My 100# on a long range gets used less than a trolling rig but it CAN do double duty depending on what it is.  I wouldn't sweat it.  There are plenty to borrow.  I will have a 100# and 130# (both ready to troll) on the 10 day. 

Realistically, 3 rigs, 10 irons, 4 wahoo bombs (Alan will have them for sale), 50 miscellaneous and cheap hooks, 10# of lead (yeah I'm that guy), some leader material, side cutters, finger tape and sun screen and some cash, you will do pretty well.

Bill

Bill, I need more details about the various irons and hooks.  Could you possibly elaborate more on brands, sizes, styles?  Thanks.
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Quote from: Jim O on May 25, 2026, 07:34:28 PM

Quote from: Bill B on May 25, 2026, 05:38:19 PMThe Calcutta bag will do well for your trip.  As I think about it, and last year someone actually did, a large milk crate stuffed with Plano trays would work well.  🤔 Now my load out is an older Nomad bag (similar to the Calcutta) a plastic ammo can for lead (I'm that guy who takes 30# of lead) a reel bag that lives in the stateroom, and a milk crate that gets strapped down on the sun deck with various oversized trays for trolling lures and miscellaneous junk with 6 rod tubes.  I share the milk crate with another member on the trip.

As Sheridan stated the 40# and 50#-60# rigs will do most of the work.  My 100# on a long range gets used less than a trolling rig but it CAN do double duty depending on what it is.  I wouldn't sweat it.  There are plenty to borrow.  I will have a 100# and 130# (both ready to troll) on the 10 day. 

Realistically, 3 rigs, 10 irons, 4 wahoo bombs (Alan will have them for sale), 50 miscellaneous and cheap hooks, 10# of lead (yeah I'm that guy), some leader material, side cutters, finger tape and sun screen and some cash, you will do pretty well.

Bill

Bill, I need more details about the various irons and hooks.  Could you possibly elaborate more on brands, sizes, styles?  Thanks.

For yo-yo irons I like Salas in sizes 6X and 6X Jr.  I believe the Tady equilivent is 4/0 ?? The standard colors, blue/white, scrambled egg, mint, red crab have always worked. This year I will try surface irons when I can.  I have no experience yet.

For hooks I use Mustad circle hooks.  I was gifted a couple boxes of the Mustad Demon circle hooks.  Not sure if they are still available.   I stay away from the designer high dollar hooks, as you will go through a bunch of hooks on a typical trip.  Trash fish are cut off with no attempt to save hooks.   Sizes are difficult.   Each manufacturer has their own idea of what a hook size is.  I believe Mustad runs smaller than Owner.  But for the Demon circle I use 2/0 and 5/0 because thats what I have.  I use the 5/0 more than anything.  But if you have 10 each of any 1/0, 2/0, 4/0, 6/0, and 7/0 you will be fine.  On long range, cheap hooks are the way to go. 

Quote from: Dominick on May 25, 2026, 08:02:34 PM

Quote from: Brewcrafter on May 24, 2026, 10:15:11 PMMy first trips my reels were wrapped up in my underwear and in my duffel bag, it works. - john

Please don't tell me that is the way you transported the Tank when you used it.  Dominick

Ha Ha, non had a reel bag then, BUT, I was so worried about anything happening to it that when it wasn't in action I actually slept with it next to my pillow    - john

And in a serious tip for Jim - we all sort of have our little routines, and the top Long Range boats have nice staterooms.  That being said, I always throw my hat into the corner of my rack next to my pillow, and in my hat will throw my asthma inhaler, cell phone, glasses, Kindle (I like to read before sleep) and my headlamp (and The Tank  ).  All things that I want to be able to have immediate access to and be able to find in the dark if I need to find them in a hurry and there is no power/no lights. - john

Quote from: Brewcrafter on Today at 03:15:36 AMAnd in a serious tip for Jim - we all sort of have our little routines, and the top Long Range boats have nice staterooms.  That being said, I always throw my hat into the corner of my rack next to my pillow, and in my hat will throw my asthma inhaler, cell phone, glasses, Kindle (I like to read before sleep) and my headlamp (and The Tank  ).  All things that I want to be able to have immediate access to and be able to find in the dark if I need to find them in a hurry and there is no power/no lights. - john

I can relate to the asthma inhaler next to my pillow.

Me too.
I also have one of these handy.

https://www.harborfreight.com/144-lumen-ultrabright-portable-led-work-lightflashlight-63878.html