This would be a question for Steve or any one with experience with the TRQ200. This reel comes with the versadrag system which, to my understanding, the drag washers can be stacked in various configurations for different drag settings. How do they come from the factory? How difficult is it to change them if a guy needed to? Should they be lightly greased with Cals drag lube? The specs state that the max drag on this reel is 32lbs (wow!) is that the configuration setup from the factory? Any advise would be appreciated.
Theoretically the drag is supposed to be assembled at the factory with the "heavy" setting [I have heard of some that were not]. If you like Cal's Drag Grease, go ahead and use it, the only downside might be the loss of a pound or two of drag at the high end. With the extreme settings available, it is unlikely that you would ever go above 16-18 pounds in real life fishing situations anyway.
I have both the TRQ 200 and 100. I took apart both to clean them up and polished the metal drag washers with McGuires polish and they have insane drag now. As if it was not good before but I swear it is much higher drag now. I do that with all my star drag reels now.
hi folks,i'm currently an avet fan.but this new penn torque 200 is very impressive. i thought that with the steep 6.3.1 gear ratio it would lack cranking power for deep jiggin.no way,that massive gear solves that problem.a bit heavier than the avet but very well made.
Last Summer I caught 5 albies on an overnight trip on my 200. It could cast a sardine great and the nice drag really helped when they were circling under the boat. I love them.
Any need to add drag grease to these out of the box?
Sorry OT, but What class rod would you match these, I'm thinking this reel would be a #30lb reel even though its a #20 reel size, so thinking 7' 20-50# MH rod, or more a M action rod?
OT: Also if you are thinking about the TRQ 100, look at 525 Mag, TRQ 100 was inspired by this reel, and it has the same features with the same drag system T-100, I picked up a TRQ200 and Mag 525, even though I really wanted a 100! After reading online, this is a long casting reel that can land heavy fish such as albacore...however its a pretty small reel, gave me a better idea what 100 would be like (size wise)!
Seant, I used a 30lb 7ft stick. Seeker Black Steel and 30lb test with my 200. Light enough tip to cast and the backbone to put the hurt to them. I have the 100 also but have yet to use it. I have the 525 mag and the 100 is much more solid. I hope it casts as well. I am going to run it through its paces before the season starts. By the way I did not grease my drags on the 200. I don't think Penn designs them for that. If you polish the washers it will be plenty smooth.
