Halibut reel ?

[Jencourt]

Rumor has it Santa might be leaving me a new halibut reel.

I have a pen 330 now and would like to go to something with a leaver drag and maybe a little less bulky As I am planning to go to a lighter rod than my ugly stick as well.

Worth noting is the fact that I would like Santa to stay below or at the max of 300$

Some suggestions and or knowledge of current deals would be Great.

Thanks: Ray

 

[redman210]

Shimano TLD 20 !
This one rocks.... I have three of them and have never had an issue.... pulled up a 200 pounder in Winter Harbour this year and didn't break a sweat. Easy to use... and hold a ton of 100 pound braided line no issues!

 

[Dogbreath]

Yes the Shimano TLD series suits your need especially with an aftermarket handle, Avet has some cool options but they're a tad clunky-Accurate if you're feeling flush.

 

[ericl]

I have used a dozen or so different reels for Halibut & prefer a Shimano knuckle-buster. The gear ratio is perfect & having the reel under the rod makes it fun versus work. Only downside is retrieving your gear with no fish; it is a slow process when fishing 300ft.

 

[scott craven]

the avet's are really nice but at the top of your budget.
TLD are good reels as well.
bearings can be an issue cranking up and down from 200-300'

 

[Fishin'Zinn]

Penn Squall Lever Drag > TLD... Much newer design, like them alot. Good drag and good performance overall for the money, really don't need to go with anything fancy they are really nice, unless you want 2 speed.

Heck used squall 50's for sturgeon (guide even said liked them more than the old TLD's) , have a 40LD personally, more than enough. TLD's years ago were great. Now the modern ones are made a bit cheaper I've heard as well.


Your opinion is what matters most in the end!

 

[Waterwolf2230]

I'm a Shimano guy...I'd definitely put my money on the Shimano Torium model TOR20HGA - 50,710, 65/375, 80/310. My friends use the smaller TOR14 for jigging salmon. The retrieve ratio is 6.2:1 so picking up a lot of line is quick and get a rod with some action so the rod can help. We use these and they are awesome... http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac...s/fishing-rods/jigging/trevala-f-casting.html

 

[kaelc]

There are some pretty sick low bulk Hali reels at Trotac that have brought up some nice hali on my boat. I have the two speed TLD's the 20A and 30A and like them other than the size.

 

[ziggy]

Yes the Shimano TLD series suits your need especially with an aftermarket handle, Avet has some cool options but they're a tad clunky-Accurate if you're feeling flush.

I have a couple of TLD's and am interested in what kind of aftermarket handle you found worked well. I may retrofit mine.

 

[halimark]

I'm a penn guy all the way, all I use. Squalls, pick your size, great drag, no need for aftermarket handle, they come with good ones you can extend. Tons of line recovery per handle turn and easy on the arms and wallet. I've never used but good warranty also.

HM

 

[Dogbreath]

I have a couple of TLD's and am interested in what kind of aftermarket handle you found worked well. I may retrofit mine.

I bought the high end ones from Tiburon not cheap but very well made.

I'm pretty sure I bought them through Angler's Center in San Diego

That being said I also bought as few cheapo aftermarket models off EBay for my trolling reels and while they're not the same thing they are fine for the price.

 

[ziggy]

I bought the high end ones from Tiburon not cheap but very well made.

I'm pretty sure I bought them through Angler's Center in San Diego

That being said I also bought as few cheapo aftermarket models off EBay for my trolling reels and while they're not the same thing they are fine for the price.

Thanks will check it out

 

[cj6530]

The handle upgrade on my Shimano TLD 20 2 speeds are from Alan Tani. http://alantani.com
I have similar handle upgrades on my Penn Baja Specials and Shimano Charter special

 

[ReelSlim]

I used that same Penn 330 and Ugly Stick for years as well Jencourt. I switched over to AVET's about 4 years ago and put them on Shimano Trevala's and it's a nice light combo. If you were living in Alaska and catching huge Hali's all the time then the reels might be a little under powered but for BC fishing I really like them. I find that they are also small enough that my kids can use them when jigging and they aren't fighting them being too top heavy.

 

[Derby]

Just my opinion ... The reel needs to match the rod... so find the rod you want..... with so many different choice in the market...from super light to the cave man club....find the rod..then balance it out with the reel....

 

[Jencourt]

Thanks for the input folks. That a "Avet/Trevala combo is at the top of my list right now. I have a good guy putting a couple combo options together for me to choose from. Going to see what he comes up with and make a choice.

ray