[bigbillybass]

thinking of buying a 4/0 penn to use for offshore party boat tuna, i will spool it with 80 pound test, do you guys think that this reel will hold up?

 

[MakoMatt]

bigbillybass, that reel is a little light I think for what you want. In that Penn line, they are rated as follows:

4/0 475yds. 30 lb. test
6/0 475yds. 50 lb. test
9/0 675 yds. 50lb. test

The 6/0 is a good reel but I would not spool it with 80 lb., it's a little light for that. The 9/0 you can spool with 80 lb. but the reel is a little bulky.

Without getting into the International's,
Penn makes a 15KG, 2 speed which holds 660 yds. 30 lb. which you could spool with 50 lb. Beyond that and I think you are into the International's.

Remember now that these are Peen Reels, they are for men who drink their coffee black and like their fish big. I'm sure you will hear from others on this with different reel brand recommendations.

 

[Capthookem]

CAFE LATTE

MakoMatt,
I thought I saw you in Starbucks drinking a cafe latte.

 

[Capthookem]

bigbillybass,
If I were looking to buy a senator reel for canyon fishing, I would also buy the 6/0. I am assuming you will be stand up fishing. Years ago, when I fished with senators, we had plenty of big eyes on the 6/0.
Capt.H

 

[Hipshot]

If your $ are limited I would go for a Daiwa 900H, app. $135 It's a better reel then the Penn (9/0), one piece frame and a better anti-reverse spring and dog. It will hold just under 500ft. of 80lb Berkley Big game 80lb. test. Used, you can find them between $75-100. The other magazine someone had them with rods for &99.00 each. Get a good belly belt!

 

[TonyTuna]

I do a lot of party boat tuna fishing,I
have my own equipment,but most of the
rental reels on partyboats are Penn 6/0
spooled with 80# mono.Some of the boats
use 9/0's.My self and the group that fish the Mon.nite departures on the
Golden Eagle (Belmar NJ)use the Penn 15
kg spooled with 60# mono,caught several
tuna 100# plus with no problems.

 

[spygull]

reel size

I've taken a lot of tuna on a 4/0 (113h) but always from my own boat where we could play the fish. I would not consider anything smaller than a 6/0 (114h) for party boat use. They are a simple and reliable reel and a good value.

 

[B.Attitude]

6/0's

Somebody had them for sale in the for sale forum.
paulie

 

[bigbillybass]

6/0!

paulie i'm, selling one of my 6/0 penn reels, brand spanking new. i would also consider a trade for a 4/0.
reel and stand up rod $125 takes both.
bill

 

[B.Attitude]

Billy,
I personally wouldn't use a 4/0 star drag reel for tuna.I'm not saying it can't be done but if I was going to go small I would look at a lever drag reel.Something that could take the heat of a nice tuna ripping line.Remember,its not a bass or bluefish.Tuna can make some pretty long runs and you wouldn't want your drag on a 4/0 to start burning up on you.If money is not an issue I would look into Shimano's TLD 25 or an Everol 12/20(size of a 3/0) 0r their 20/30's.(Size of a penn 30 inter.)I've owned them and found they are great little reels and full of cranking power and have smooth drags.My friend tricked out a Everol 12/20 to get 25 lbs of drag on it and the freespool spins forever.We've taken bluefin up to 94 lbs on the Everol 20/30 and handled them beautifully.My favorite are still the Shimanos,easy to service and their smooth drags can't be touched by anyone elses.Leave the 4/0's for bass and blues.
paulie

 

[TonyTuna]

I agree with B.Attitude the Shimano's
can't be beat, along with my 15kg I
always bring my Tiagra 50W LRS and my
Tiagra 30W LRS.Plenty of power for party
boat tuna and the smoothest drags going.
also they're 2speed reels.

 

[Hipshot]

Yeah, but your comparing reels in the $100.00-150.00 range to reels in the $300.00 ++ range no comparison. Go with a Penn wide 6/0 and preset the drag with a scale! Not the best-not the worst but a good compromise!

 

[B.Attitude]

Hipshot

Last time I looked the Shimano TLD 25 WAS $199.00 and the Everol 12/20 was about the same.The 20/30 was a little more,I think 269.00 The super 12/20(thats all tricked out with bearing and solid frame) is around 300.00.
paulie

 

[Capthookem]

I think everyone has a different budget. If you have a senator budget, no problem. Long before the days of gold reels and lever drags, I caught some of my best tuna all on senators. In the seventies I was trolling hudson canyon with eight 9/0 senators. (the rods looked like telephone poles) The drags do need work from time to time.
Hey, if you have a few extra bucks, there are some better reels.
Capt. H

 

[Hipshot]

Paulie,
The only problem I have with the TLD 25's (I have two) is that one of them I can only get 13-14# of drag out of it, the other is OK 17# plus< I don't know what it will max out at. I don't think that is enough drag.
Hipshot

 

[B.Attitude]

Hipshot

Hipshot,
I too was able to get 17 lbs at full drag but rarely did I have to go past strike to take a fish.I'm talking inshore,not canyon.At strike you should have about 12 lbs. I always set them to fish alittle before strike,maybe 8-10 lbs.
paulie

 

[bigbillybass]

guys!

i picked up a real nice 6/0, whats the deal with fishing line, spider wire, power pro or mono? and what lb test?

thanks for the help

 

[MakoMatt]

bigbillybass, something like Berkley Big Game or Ande, 50lb. would be just fine for that reel. It's a good little reel, caught a lot of fish over the years with 6/0

MakoMatt

 

[Capthookem]

I too, like the Berkely Big game line.
It seems to be able to take a hit or a nick better then some other lines I've used. It holds up very well. When I'm chunking tuna I use the flouro leaders anyway.

Capt. H

 

[B.Attitude]

BBB,
I agree with MM,go with Big Game.Party boats frown on any braid,it will cut everybodys lines.
paulie