On a recent 5 day trip, I needed a 30# outfit that would have been used primarily for live bait for fishing kelp patties. What reel would best meet this need. Combine both reel quality as well as cost effectiveness. Living in TN, I will make one trip a year.

Avet JX or a Saltist 30 would be a good place to start. If your on a tighter budget a Jigmaster or a Daiwa SLX 40ha would work too.

2 questions out house.


1 are you looking for grafite or aluminium

2 are you looking for low or high dollard reels.

A Penn 4/0 Baja special should fill all of the requirements without spectra. (Read Walts comments on Spectra elsewhere.)
Superstring reel, lots of horsing power.

Guys, originally I was looking at the Saltist 30t figuring it would be perfect for the fishing we did recently. Then I got fired up looking at the Sealine and the price. Have read plenty of good reports. Then Chark suggested I consider the Avet MX. I am thoroughly confused. A guy on my trip wore out the YT's and Dodo's with his SX 2 speed. I think he used 25# line though.

Originally, several years ago, I started out with a Avet JX when they first came out for my 30 rig. Backed it up with spectra with a 30# mono top and thought I was ready for everything and anything. And I was. But as I started gaining conifidence in my knot tying and general fishing ability I rapidly became aware that I was way over gunned. That JX is one tough reel, I have since delegated it to 40 class duty. Consequently it rarely sees the light of day. Some jig stick action and for a back up rig.

Have down sized to the MX 4.5:1 with a full spool of Izor XXX 25# and a 20# fluoro leader. That Izor 25# XXX over test like crazy. The 25# breaks at 40#. I treat it like 30#. There is no need to use 30 that breaks at 50.
The MX is more than enough reel for fish 40# and under. Have landed 40# Albacore and a 60# Black Sea Bass (released) on that set up and never felt I needed more reel. When fish get that size a 2 speed would have been a nice but the single speed did the job without breaking a sweat.

Considering cost, in desending order:
Avet MX 4.5:1
Saltist 30 4.9:1
Sealine 30 6.1:1 .... you would have to go to the 40 to get the 4.9:1 Ratio

The other reccomendations above are definetely desireable reels and will do the job nicely, just feel they are a much bigger gun then you need.

Another consideration is that when you opt for the lighter outfits capable of adequate performance you are forced to become a better fisherman. You can no longer take a casual attitude towards your knots or line abrasion or drag condition and setting. You will have entered the arena of "SPORT FISHING" a very fun place to be.

As always my, suggestions for your consideration.

Walt

Walt, just curious, did you get the J or the L?

The "J" , it cast better. The spool mass is lighter.
Walt

quote:

Originally posted by Outhouse:
On a recent 5 day trip, I needed a 30# outfit that would have been used primarily for live bait for fishing kelp patties. What reel would best meet this need.

If you make one trip a year, your time on the water is truly at a premium. To my mind, that means you want to catch every quality fish you have a chance at, and gambling with less than the best gear you can get is money and valuable time wasted. Don't take chances on "just as good as," fish the best you can get.

For 30#, fish a Saltiga (30 or 30T), an Accurate (270 or 870), or an International Torque 200. If you need a two-speed for 30#, get a two-speed. Tiburon and Accurate make killer little 2-speeds, and Avet makes a pretty good one. If you get into a quality fish, you stand a better chance of getting that fish to gaff with quality gear. Lots of 100+# YFT at the Lupe have fallen to 30# gear, and with a 100#er on the line, I can tell you from experience that quality gear means more than money.

I fish an Accurate 870 screwed onto a custom 7'6" Zibra for bait on 30#, and with that setup I wouldn't hesitate to throw a bait in the water with 100#er's swimming around the boat. I might have to take a nice long breather and then reach for a rig with 40# and a two-speed before I did it a second time, but I wouldn't hesitate the first time.

Just my opinion, 'cause you asked.

If you are only using it once a year I have a better idea. Call me and I will send you one of my reels to use. (Accurate, Torium, Avet, Tiburon, Baja Special, Newell). Use a few different ones over the next two or three years. Ship it back to me after your trip. That way you can try a few out and see what you really like. More than happy to do it. Let me know.

LT

Fllr, very generous offer. My wife and kids have been bugging me after my trip for a list for the Christmas holidays. Yes they think that far in advance.

Jon--Glad to see your family supports your new hobby. My wife and kids have purchased a few reels for me as well.

That being the case, go with the saltist. Most versatile of the reels that you are looking at. Will hold up the best and if you ever wind up dong a longer trip, you could stretch it out and fish higher pound test line.

Also, if you are like me, you will wind up buying at least a reel a year. Keep in mind my offer. More than happy to ship you a reel or two to try out on your trip next year. See what you like.

My trip is in 2 weeks on the SOA. Lots to do before then. Long trip from Florida, but always worth it.

LT

FLLR, My whole plan is to get geared up for the 5 day length trips and after a few of these, I hope to go a bit longer in hopes of catching my dream fish, a Wahoo. May sound silly to you guys, but I have been offshore dozens of times and I would rather catch a wahoo than most any fish that swims. Doesn't have to be a beast, but I want to see the line melting off the reel as it makes its first mad dash. I could then die a happy man!!!!

Accurate 870 - if budget permits...

Jon--If you really want a shot at Wahoo, go on one of the late summer 7-8 day trips. Polaris Supreme, Royal Polaris, RRIII and the SOA all have trips in late July--August. Good time to go to the rocks and you will be the only boat there. I did the RRIII trip last year. Read the reports for their website for this year's trip. They left yesterday. Always a good early wahoo trip. Did well last year on it. Plus, with the 7 day trip, you are only gone one full week.

5 day trips almost never encounter them. Might luck into 1 but very rare.

I am with you, I think are the most fun fish to catch. Plus, for me, best eating fish in the ocean.

LT