Spirit of Adventure Charter, November 4-14, 2026

[Jim O]

Are you guys using star drag reels for casting jigs?  It's my understanding the free spool on a lever drag reel isn't as free as on a star drag, and makes for difficult casting.  Is this true?  This was the knock on TLDs when they came out in the 1980s.  Guys were resorting to removing all the grease from the reels and replacing it with either brake fluid or tranny fluid.  I can't remember which.  It did seem to work, but I don't know what the long term effects on the reels would have been.  I hear different stories.

i guess what I'm asking is when to choose/buy one over the other.  Is the star drag reel designed better for a particular application over the lever drag reel, and vice versa?

[MarkT]

I use TranX 500's for surface iron and bombs. Everything else is a leverdrag. Star drags like the Fathom 25sd, Trinidad/Torium 16/20 and Daiwa Saltiga/Saltist 35/40 are great for surface iron! Most die hard surface iron fishermen use them.

[Swami805]

I use star drags for 50lb and below, lever drags for heavier line. Newer lever drags cast better than the older ones but I think a star drag still has a little edge for casting. Somewhat depends on the operator though

[Jim O]

30# would be for light bait which hasn't been needed for the last few years. Maybe for making bait? I don't bother with 30# any more.
40# for fly lining a sardine.
50# for yo-yo, bombs, surface iron. I use 3-4' of mono tied to my braid. I use a longer top shot of 50# for yo-yo. 50# is my go to on 10 day trips.
60# for yoyo and bait.
100# for trolling.

I see you use both a #50, and #60 rig for yo-yoing.  Is there much difference?

[Jim O]

My first trip I brought 5 outfits.  2 never left the rack. The 3 used were: Penn Fathom 25NLD2 on an Okuma PCH a 40# rig, Penn Fathom 40NLD2 on an Okuma PCH a 80# rig, and a Penn Baja Special on a no name rod for 50#.  You would do well with the 25N 40# and 40N 60#, a handful of irons, and assorted Mustad hooks (no need to bring the expensive designer hooks as unwanted fish are cut off or broke off and the fish don't care), and a half dozen torpedo sinkers.  I'm that guy who brings 20# of sinkers, so will have plenty to share. 

Beyond that, trollers will be in abundance to use, and we all will have extra gear for loan. 

If you are in SoCal there are plenty of tackle shops willing to help.  Charkbait recommended  my first 2 Fathoms and they are the backbone of my quiver. 

As we get closer and they fishing reports start coming in, we will be able to dial in the list. 

Bill

Thanks.  Even though after speaking with Alan, and him saying that people will likely have rigs that I might use, I still feel that I need to buy a couple of rigs to show I have some skin in the game.  Borrowing someone else's good gear who I don't even know is not a good feeling.

As for buying two rigs, initially, I was thinking that a #40 and #60 rig, like you mentioned would be a smart start since they are pretty standard rigs regardless of the trip, or am I wrong?  I could fill in the gaps with rentals.

How do you feel about rental gear in my situation?