[Fishing Man]

hey guys,

Im looking t getting a new rod/reel combo for offshore work,
ie: macks, tuna, snapper etc and wondered what you guys suggest.

Ive seen a lot of info on the TSS4 reels lately, but also theres the BTR6500 reels which have a good name.
does anyone have any tips on these??

but then theres the option of going to an overhead, I had an abu6500C which I used for all my jack trevally fishing a few years back and it went through hell and still performed well, i was thinking a 7500C might be ok for what i want to do,
and then theres all the penn, shimano and diawa overheads??????

i want to baitfish and use SPs - HBs.

any info or tips are much appreciated.
just thoiught you guys who have been using such reels from your yaks would probably have the best idea on what works,

i wouldnt want to spend any more than $300 for the rod and reel.

thanks again. 8)

 

[simond11]

Hi Ben
Gee...what a question! For trolling I use an Ambassadeur ProRocket 6500CS combined with GLoomis EHS 60C 6' rod. For flicking plastics around I use a Ryobi Applause VS1000i reel with a BlackHole Deeper S-68 rod. For larger fish I use a Daiwa Procion PC-Z 60HFS rod with a Penn SpinFisher 4400SS with 15lb line. I always try to go out with at least 3 rods and sometimes 4, as I do a lot of ocean fishing. Eggbeaters easier to use for plastics, overhead unbeatable for trolling.
Cheers

Simon
Prowler 15

 

[spooled1]

Hi Ben,

Don't get a Tica Caiman CM200 overhead reel.

Abu 6500 or 7500 series should be great for bait fishing and trolling.

Take a look at the Penn Powerspin rods or the fibreglass Ugly stix and Silstars if you're looking for an offshore work horse.

On the yak you are lower to the waterline and a slower taper in fibreglass might serve you better. All I'm gunna say is I've snapped three graphite/composite rods off the yak and I'd never dream of using a Loomis unless I was in a dam or estuary.

 

[sunshiner]

For offshore work an overhead is my preference for trolling. My old ABU 10000c or my ABU 7500C on short, stiff, cheap rods are both ideal. I also take a spinning outfit (Penn Spinfisher 5500ss) for casting lures into feeding frenzies or likely looking white water areas. Hope this helps.

 

[Davey G]

I recently won a Shimano Baitrunner 6500 and found that it was going to be much too large for using off my yak, so I swapped it at my local tacklo for the slightly smaller BTR4500. This reel stull holds 300m of 20lb Fireline which is more than enough for pelagics and snapper. So far its been great. I think they retail for around $200.

I have this on a Silstar Crystal Tip 8-10kg 8' rod, which is a great all rounder for fishing off the bank, inn a boat or in a yak (probably a tad long for the yak). However I also have a couple of uglystiks and I reckon the Silstar rods are much better in terms of quality, feel and value.

I also have an overhead reel which i've never actually used - looking forward to doing some trolling for pelagics with it (if this crap weather ever stops!)

Just my opinion.

Cheers.

 

[Sunhobie]

I prefer an overhead for trolling but they are not generally happy to be continually drenched with salt water. I agree, the Penn spinfishers are pretty tough and teamed with a decent six or seven foot slow taper rod like a Penn Powerstick or a Silstar Crystal tip they will cast well also.

 

[Scott]

Mate I think you are on the right track. A 7000 Abu (the bronze bush model not the ball bearing) would be a bullet proof reel for yakking. Team it up with a crystal powertip and some 15kg Spectra braid and you have an outfit capable of doing most things. Add a spin stick with a saltwater proof threadline such as one of the USA made Spinfishers for casting baitfish profiles into schooling fish and you have got 90% of your offshore options covered in 2 outfits.

Catch ya Scott

 

[spooled1]

Just on this, I emailed the G.Loomis technical crew tonite to ask if they have any suitable composite rods/blanks for yak use.

Some people want a more responsive/premium rod and composite manufacturers need to prove to yak users that thier rods don't snap under normal yak fishing conditions.

This is G. Loomis's opportunity to back thier product. If they respond, I'll post their comments.