reel set up

[warrior]

I read a lot of reels being spooled with spectra and it also being a must when searching for that trophy YT. Could you guys give me suggestions on which, if any of my reels would work as a YT Spectra and a top shot set up. I have a load of other reels but I line those up for Bass.

1. Trindad 30
2. TLD 15/30
3. Daiwa Sealine 30
4. Daiwa Sealine 20
5. jigmaster

I also have a Shimano 30 2 speed for boating what should I put on that? Feel welcome to recommend a specific reel too.

Thanks

[taggermike]

Hey Bro, All those reels would work. The SL 20 might be a bit small for larger YT but don't count it out. It seams logical to put your spectra and confidence in the best reel in your arsenal and go with the Trinidad 30 though. 65 lb power pro and a 30 or 40 lb fluoro or mono top shot and you're ready. Mike

[-scallywag-]

i wouldn't be afraid to hook up on any of those reels (well maybe not the jigmaster)....however I like using a 4-6ft fluoro leader to a swivel as opposed to a conventional top shot. My reason is that, the shorter the leader, the better chance you have of actually getting spectra against the kelp and cutting it. I also would not use mono as a leader material unless i was fishing open water.

[Holy Mackerel]

1. Trindad 30
2. TLD 15/30
3. Daiwa Sealine 30
5. jigmaster

Any of two of these reels with 300 yrds #65 spectra for hi/low live bait reels. I really like my TLD 15 for my live bait rig, but it holds more than 300 yrds spectra, I pad it with 1/4- 1/3 mono. (same with Jigmaster)

I think Sealine 30 holds close to 300 yrds spectra. Not sure about the Trinidad 30, I know they have a spool tension dial, that would be good for the porno greenies, that buzz your clicker.

Like others say #15, #20, #25, #30, #40 Fluoro depending on where you are fishing, water clarity, fish finickyness, etc, and soforth.

The other two reels you don't choose for live bait, would be good Jig reels. #30 or #40 mono is my preference, depending on spool size, otherwise, I usually get #40.

The sealine 20 good for bass/sabiki.

[warrior]

Thanks all for the great advise. I will take the reels in and get em done. I'm hoping to go out on my yak Sunday, knee willing.

Thanks again, all the info was a big help.

[Corey]

You will like the adjustable clicker on the Trini for fishing macs. It's much nicer that having to tighten down the cast control for extra tension, then loosen it again to cast.

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by warrior

I read a lot of reels being spooled with spectra and it also being a must when searching for that trophy YT. Could you guys give me suggestions on which, if any of my reels would work as a YT Spectra and a top shot set up. I have a load of other reels but I line those up for Bass.

1. Trindad 30
2. TLD 15/30
3. Daiwa Sealine 30
4. Daiwa Sealine 20
5. jigmaster

I also have a Shimano 30 2 speed for boating what should I put on that? Feel welcome to recommend a specific reel too.

Thanks

They are good for spectra used different ways.

Trindad 30: I would fill that reel with 65 Power pro Spectra and then run short topshots of 40 and 50 pound with it. You don't need fifty on a yak but you could put it on for larger fish on a sport boat. That reel is really overkill size wise as it holds way more spectra then you need. If I'm going to go Shimano in that size class I prefer the Torium 20's as they cheaper and are narrower.

The advantage with that reel is unlike the others it really has enough drag to fish forty, or even fifty with a light drag.

I'm serious I once landed a 90 pound YFT on one of those reels fishing 65 spectra and 50 fuoro and it never missed a beat. If I was going to fish with one at La Jolla I'd use it reel for dropper loop fishing with a forty topshot. Or heavy Iron if they wanted really big jigs.

TLD 15/30: again 65 spectra but this time 30 to 40 lbs topshots. Less drag casts better then your trini... Ideal for Iron with a thirty topshot.

Daiwa Sealine 30: 30 or 40 pound spectra 25 lbs topshot. Even less drag ability, good for light Iron where your fishing away from the kelp. It will outcast the TLD but does not have enough drag to really fish thirty.

Daiwa Sealine 20: 20 spectra, 20 lbs or fifteen pound topshot. Ideal halibut reel, but it's a little small for Yellows if you're near the kelp. You can flyline baits in open water and kill yellows with it when they are line shy. I've actually caught more yellows on that reel rigged that way then any reel I own, that said most of those fish were in open water way away from the kelp. Fish it near the kelp though and you'll eventually be heart broken as it's too small to keep them in control.

It's kind of would I rather get bit, or loose the fish routine. In open water it's worth a shot, tight to the kelp iffy.

All those reels will work for flyline but you want to fish according to what the fish will bite and where your at.

In general you want to use the heaviest rig they will hit. Keep in mind you can hook fish with lighter gear when they won't hit heavier gear, but you don't want to be fishing near the kelp when you do it. Yellowtail are brilliant when it comes to putting you on structure and breaking you off. They will run into the kelp or literally rub the bottom to hook you up on rocks.

Once years ago hooked a huge yellow offshore under lights on a sportboat about 3:00am. Me and the Captain were just hanging on the deck. I saw him come through several times and kept soaking baits on lighter and lighter line, I finally got him to eat fifteen pound. No structure or kelp for miles, no other lines in the water, the captain's right there with me ready to gaff the fish if I got it close, 1000's of feet of water before the bottom below me: I'm thinking done deal my first fifty Yellow and I'm going to get him even on the light string.

He swam around the boat a few times, stopped and did a few head shakes and then swam right into the prop

Jigmaster... (ebay, yard sale)

Good rule of thumb always fish a reel that costs more then your line when it comes to spectra.

Just my take.

Jim

[warrior]

Originally Posted by Corey

You will like the adjustable clicker on the Trini for fishing macs. It's much nicer that having to tighten down the cast control for extra tension, then loosen it again to cast.

I work by the HB pier and take my walk there for lunch. One day a guy was selling all his gear because he was moving away and wouldn't need his ocean gear anymore.

He wanted $200.00 for the Trindad but of course nobody on the pier inlcuding myself had that on them. He had all these guys really low balling him on all his gear and he got really pissed. He turned to one guy and said OK give my $100.00 for the Trindad and the guy said no $80.00; luckly, I had $100.00 on me so I said I would give him the $100.00 he said sold. The guy trying to get it for $80.00 told me he was first and would give up the $100.00; the seller told him tuff sh$% and walk on. The reel is brand new, never used.

I got home looked it up on line and almost sh^& my pants on the price.

Anyway thanks again everyone.

[emrliquidlife]

Originally Posted by warrior

I work by the HB pier and take my walk there for lunch. One day a guy was selling all his gear because he was moving away and wouldn't need his ocean gear anymore.

He wanted $200.00 for the Trindad but of course nobody on the pier inlcuding myself had that on them. He had all these guys really low balling him on all his gear and he got really pissed. He turned to one guy and said OK give my $100.00 for the Trindad and the guy said no $80.00; luckly, I had $100.00 on me so I said I would give him the $100.00 he said sold. The guy trying to get it for $80.00 told me he was first and would give up the $100.00; the seller told him tuff sh$% and walk on. The reel is brand new, never used.

I got home looked it up on line and almost sh^& my pants on the price.

Anyway thanks again everyone.

Nice. It is one thing to low ball, but worse when you see just how close you were to a good deal. Awesome to get a good deal like that.

You planning on making a YT trip?

Ed

[Corey]

Originally Posted by warrior

I work by the HB pier and take my walk there for lunch. One day a guy was selling all his gear because he was moving away and wouldn't need his ocean gear anymore.

He wanted $200.00 for the Trindad but of course nobody on the pier inlcuding myself had that on them. He had all these guys really low balling him on all his gear and he got really pissed. He turned to one guy and said OK give my $100.00 for the Trindad and the guy said no $80.00; luckly, I had $100.00 on me so I said I would give him the $100.00 he said sold. The guy trying to get it for $80.00 told me he was first and would give up the $100.00; the seller told him tuff sh$% and walk on. The reel is brand new, never used.

I got home looked it up on line and almost sh^& my pants on the price.

Anyway thanks again everyone.

Damn, that's a deal!

[warrior]

Originally Posted by Corey

Damn, that's a deal!

I connected up with that guy and bought some more gear, I told him that I saw how much that reel was worth so whatever price he gave me on his other stuff was cool; no negotiating. He appreciated that and still gave me a good deal on what I bought. I actually helped him go through his garage and organize for a garage sale. I've not used the reel yet so hopefully the great spirit will shine on my first adventure with it.

emrliquidlife'

Not planning on fishing YT specifically, I'm just getting all my gear set up while I'm recuperating from my knee surgery. I mainly fished bass from my yak but now I'm venturing out to the flatties and the YT. I realize it will take sometime to get the groove but I've picked up a lot a valuable information from the forum. I just have to put it to practice now.

[whitedog]

Originally Posted by -scallywag-

i wouldn't be afraid to hook up on any of those reels (well maybe not the jigmaster)....however I like using a 4-6ft fluoro leader to a swivel as opposed to a conventional top shot. My reason is that, the shorter the leader, the better chance you have of actually getting spectra against the kelp and cutting it. I also would not use mono as a leader material unless i was fishing open water.

You love the jigmaster

[warrior]

Since most of the posts gave the same advice the decision seems simple, the only questions left are:

Is Power pro the brand to get?
What color?

Jesse

[fishinkid2010]

Originally Posted by warrior

Since most of the posts gave the same advice the decision seems simple, the only questions left are:

Is Power pro the brand to get?
What color?

Jesse

Absolutely!, I've tried Spider wire, Izorline's spectra, and Power Pro. IMHO Power Pro is the best quality. It holds up very well, and doesn't chaff very much after a lot of use. (My Izorline is backing, so to be honest it doesn't see the water all too much, so maybe someone else will have more to say about it.) The Spider wire spectra was garbage, don't even bother looking at it if you see it on the shelf.
I like green for all of my Spectra. I guess I like green just because its more natural looking than red or yellow.

My $.02

[Darrin]

WoW that's an awesome deal

[Grego]

Originally Posted by Holy Mackerel

The sealine 20 good for bass/sabiki.

Ok, that made me laugh...

Honestly I like it for butts, 17lb - 20lb Pline for me. I usually fish calcutta 400's but I use the 20 when fishing macs and heavier weight because the clicker is way way better than the 400's clicker and I don't have to buckle down the cast control when in free spool. Ditto on the adjustable clicker for the Trini's love that option on my two Trini 14's.

[MarkT]

Green spectra is too stealthy if you're fishing with other people and you need to keep track of your line. I prefer white or yellow or anything other than green . As long as I'm using a leader or topshot the spectra color doesn't matter... as long as I can see it to avoid tangles it's all good.

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by MarkT

Green spectra is too stealthy if you're fishing with other people and you need to keep track of your line. I prefer white or yellow or anything other than green . As long as I'm using a leader or topshot the spectra color doesn't matter... as long as I can see it to avoid tangles it's all good.

You know I hear this argument all the time but it's funny that I never hear the argument that clear mono is too stealthy or that you can't see it well enough if you fish around others.

There were three big myths about spectra when it first came out. That it would cut into guides, injure you, or can't be seen well enough. I've not seen any of those probems when fishing.

Mono is certainly harder to see then green spectra, but I don't hear anyone saying we should go back to dacron.

You want green power pro for two reasons. One you can get away with shorter topshots and still get bit which will give you a distanct advantage if the fish get's in the kelp, and two it has a rougher texture to the weave that allows it to cut thorugh kelp much easier, which is another distanct advantage over other spectra if the fish get's in the kelp.

Done deal...

Everyones entitled to an opinion but my opinion is green Powerpro spectra is all I fish. It rocks!!

Jim

[MarkT]

I mostly fish the big boats and looking down at your line it's much harder to see the green specta than mono against the water. Looking out or up at your line from the yak/skiff the darker line is probably easier to see against the sky. I use straight fluoro or mono on the rigs I use from the plastic boat at the lake.

I do have kelp cutter rigs featuring green spectra on a few of my bait casters but not for my bait rigs. Unless you're basically going spectra to the hook the color of the spectra isn't particularly relevent so make it easy to see.

[steveooo]

Originally Posted by warrior

I work by the HB pier and take my walk there for lunch. One day a guy was selling all his gear because he was moving away and wouldn't need his ocean gear anymore.

Once i bought a pair of $800 Acoustic Research speakers from a guy in a van for $150. He said that his company had accidentally received an extra pallet of them, and his boss just gave them to him, because their company trip got cancelled that year. His story sounded a little fishy, I'm not sure a guy selling trini's by the pier is too legit either.

On the other hand, my sound system rocks.