Reel for GT's

[FISH ASSASSIN]

Hi Guys.

My newest child should be here in the next few days. Decided on the Shimmi 110H spinning.

As I got the rod at a steal from Gani's I have a few Rands spare. So, need a new reel to go with the new rod.

Which reel you guys recommend?

Bear in mind, spinning reel. Will be used exclusively plugging/ popping for Kingies. So, strong construction, especially gears and drag. Decent braid capacity and just to make it more interesting, going to have rod and reel in hand casting all the time so weight is also paramount.

Trying to keep it around R2k.

Mission Impossible Fishing Nation. Go!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ant86]

FISH ASSASSIN wrote:

Hi Guys.

My newest child should be here in the next few days. Decided on the Shimmi 110H spinning.

As I got the rod at a steal from Gani's I have a few Rands spare. So, need a new reel to go with the new rod.

Which reel you guys recommend?

Bear in mind, spinning reel. Will be used exclusively plugging/ popping for Kingies. So, strong construction, especially gears and drag. Decent braid capacity and just to make it more interesting, going to have rod and reel in hand casting all the time so weight is also paramount.

Trying to keep it around R2k.

Mission Impossible Fishing Nation. Go!

Thanks in advance.

Within that budget, something like a Daiwa BG 5000, has a decent retrieve speed and probably the best "budget" reel. The Shimano Spheros is also really good, but the retrieval is very slow. Penn Clash like the Shimmie also slow.

 

[FISH ASSASSIN]

Hi Ant.

BG was top of my original list. Not a Diawa fan but at that price point the BG is unbeatable.

My only issue is that the BG is relatively heavy to have in the hand and continuously cast and retrieve for an extended time.

Any other ideas?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Ben REINERS]

I agree with Ant, if you are 100% directed by your budget, then the obvious thing would be to do much research in order for you to settle for the best reel in that price range to avoid that frustrating feeling one day of
"my reel of choice let me down".

Yes, there will be the pro's/cons, the supporters & non supporters, the failures, but ultimately your choice should be based on facts you are happy to accept.

Being a fussy angler like most anglers when it gets to choices, I am not going into a spec war comparing bearing qualities or the grades of aluminium aircraft material used in various reels or models, as what counts for me, are basics like reliabilty, immediate back-up service in SA without a schlep, value for money, & yes a good reputation reel spoken about by many anglers.

Targeting GT's immediately paints a picture of those brute speedsters with no regard to rules nor sympathy & will test your tackle to the ultimate.
As you say, it will be used mainly to target GT's, & there will be no telling before hand what size brute will eat your lure & what battle scars it will leave behind.
How often are you gonna fish will also be a considering factor, & regular after care will only prolong the life span of your reel & its integral parts, gears, drag system, etc.

My list will most defnitely be in the following order,
DAIWA BG 4500 or 5000
SHIMANO Sustain (FE Model)(Discontinued)
Shimano Saragosa (F Model)(Discontinued) or current Saragosa SW model.
SHIMANO Stradic

My list will most defnitely not be in the budget range, is not top of the range, except for the BG which will be in your budget & should you find a good Sustain or Gosa in the older models.
Parts are relatively available overseas for the older models.

Your choice will never be easy. Enjoy the hunt.

 

[FISH ASSASSIN]

Hi Ben.

Wise words. I think that the vis Kors has gotten hold of me. Maybe slow down and wait a month for more money to disappear from the bank account and then rather buy something better.

A quick question though. Will a size 5000 Shimmi be big enough? I was thinking more in line with a 10 000?

Fully agree with you that some of the older Shimmi's are better than their new replacement models.

If anyone want to throw away their old Stella throw it my way!

Thanks

 

[Ben REINERS]

The best advice you could give yrself wrt saving a few more bucks for a better quality reel.....tap yourself on yr shoulder.

You'll be more satisfied standing next to the beach casting a plug & anticipating a huge take, knowing the reel will stand its match.
Peace of mind is key when you tackle s.thing as specific & beastly as targeting GT's only, unlike like targeting kob or shad etc. which will not likely require a solid reel.

My advise wrt the size of a reel matched to a rod is the following.....If you not very familiar with different reel make sizes, &
6your tacklestore does not carry stock of yr rod choice, take yr rod to the store, tell them your predicament, & I am quite sure they will allow you to fit & match till you happy.
That one size up or down can mean a huge difference ito line capacity/poundage, drag capacity, weight of reel vs rod, ie. the balancing & lots more, & not forgetting personal choice over the choice of fundis.
One tend to get a better hands on feel if you could match a reel with a rod before buying. It answers quite a few questions, then only to find out if the bigger model will benefit you far better or merely a little bit. Answer is then simple.

 

[Ant86]

I fully agree with Ben and something I mentioned to you on the original Rod thread that you started, rather save up and buy one solid outfit than try have one that does it all for GT. The Exage if I remember is quite a heavy rod, so a bigger reel will probably balance better. Excellent advise from Ben to take your rod with before buying. If you are going to be popping a lot you need a reel with a hi speed retrieve or it's a real pain trying to work the popper when sweeping from side to side.

 

[Ant86]

A 5000 shimmie will definitely not be big enough for that Rod. I have a 10k Saragossa with 250m of 50lb backing and 300m of 35lb HMP topshot to try and give you an idea of capacity. An 8k or 10k in Shimano size should be good for your application

 

[duckbill]

How about the Okuma Azores 55 or Metaloid 55?
 

 

[Ben REINERS]

Ant86 wrote:

A 5000 shimmie will definitely not be big enough for that Rod. I have a 10k Saragossa with 250m of 50lb backing and 300m of 35lb HMP topshot to try and give you an idea of capacity. An 8k or 10k in Shimano size should be good for your application

I stand to be corrected wrt the size of a matching reel for your Shimmie 110 as I have never seen nor held the rod, & can not nearly say what size reel I would recommend to suit it.
If what Ants says is true about the rod then rather opt for bigger reel.....but take yr rod to the store for better satisfaction.
The reel balance, weight comparing to the rod, the balancing of both rod & reel standing on the beach casting, sweeping, popping should be a pleasure & not become a painfull or stressfull outing. Obviously after a few hours it will take its toll on your arms, back & legs, hence the right choic is important.

 

[willem wikkel spies]

you've been busy …….

just get a reel with stopping power.

the clash 6000 series handle is to short for me.
the 5000 might be better.

depending on where you going to gooi the most.
open ocean "no rocks" no hard fight.

close to rocks? hard short fights!!!
strong reel and strong braid.
do I trust 50lb braid....not sure yet.

25lb stood up good on a clash 4000 with a geet on the way to the rocks.

sadly the hook pulled.
drag was so tight you could not pull it off by hand, and yet the gt did it with a smile

 

[willem wikkel spies]

the other aspect is that.
you need a setup which allows you to cast the whole day if needed.

no use, going too heavy and a half an hour in on a morning session you are done!!!

I have caught most of my big gt's with light set ups.
have never had any worries.
dealing with a gt in an open ocean is easy.
light set ups work great

dealing with them on the rocks, is a complete different ball game, 50lb will not be enough!!!
rather 80 to 100lb at the rocks

 

[Ant86]

Having scrolled through a few more posts about the reel, there was a member who had paired one with a 6000 Stella at one stage and said it was a good fit... so a 5000 shimano could definitely be an option with 300yd of 25lb ofr a nice light setup.

We have probably confused you more than ever with all the different options but I think the thing that sticks out is to take your rod to the shop and try on a few different reels to give you an idea of what size feels right from the different brands.

 

[Pylstert]

I am sure a 5000 BG will work really well on the 110h rod or the 4500. I have plenty of 45lb braid on my 4500 and from the 4500 upwards you have a double anti reverse system, the smaller BGs don't and I doubt any of the older Shimano Sustains have a double anti reverse system, my 5000 certainly doesn't. I use the BG4500 for spinning and the weight is not a problem. The older sustains also have felt drag washers. With a 110h rod you are in any case basically in the heavier spinning league, you are not gong to be throwing little 1/2 oz plastic baits so you may as well get a bigger reel and use 30lb and up line? Kingfish don't mess around especially near reefs

 

[Ben REINERS]

Cant agree more than said by Ants & Pylstert.

 

[FISH ASSASSIN]

Gents, thanks for all the advice.

I have never had such a response to any of my posts before. A different new PB!

Working this weekend but going Friday morning to BM Richard's Bay to try a few reels for size and balance. Next weekend I am going up to Rangers with a few buddies and going to try some of their reels in actual conditions. If the rains allow, that is.

I will get back to you all once I have decided.

Lastly, it is good so know that Sealine is very much still alive and really kicking.

Thanks all.

 

[Pylstert]

I have a 110h multiplier rod, if the spinning version blank is the same then I would happily use a Shimano 8000 or Daiwa 4500. Thing is you will have to go second hand to get a Shimano in your price range, nothing wrong with that though. I also have a quantum cabo 50 and thats a very nice reel also, but again, more than R2000

 

[Dr halibut hoffman]

Yebo an 110h spinning and casting are identical blanks, got one of each..Yebo also on a shimano 8000-10000 will fit that..5000 Shimnano is way too small for that rod and line class you going to be fishing for GT's with.