Big game reel...what to buy?
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Briny Bar
Forum Description: The place for general chat on saltwater fishing!
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36895
Printed Date: 03 Jul 2026 at 8:18am
Topic: Big game reel...what to buy?
Posted By: jasha
Subject: Big game reel...what to buy?
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2009 at 11:35pm
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I am new big game and want to get set up to catch a marlin. the odd Tuna would be great too. What do i get? Penn? Shimano? Should I stear clear of Tica?
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Replies:
Posted By: TheBadger
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2009 at 11:43pm
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I'm avoiding Tica as a whole. I bought one of their rod reel sets, but the internal bearings and drag systems on the reel were just plain wrong which caused it to birdsnest on even the slowest drop. Sent it in to get fixed, but since then I bought a cheap little Shimano bait caster soft plastic rig which works a dream, so I haven't even tried the Tica again. So I'd suggest something like a Shimano Tiagra 80W. a 50 would probably suffice for tuna provided you're a reasonably competent angler, but for marlin you'd probably want the extra drag of the 80. Something with 2 speeds is also a good idea for the benefits of low geared grunt.
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Posted By: snapper mad
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2009 at 11:58pm
GO penn mean last a life time
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If i fished like i lied i`d be good
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Posted By: GAMFSH
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 7:02am
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Shimano mate 12 years ans still going strong never an issue to date, 50's and 80's are good for both marlin and tuna
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Posted By: Sambosi
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 7:15am
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Shimano Tiagra's. The TLD50 will do the job too. Before I had my full compliment of Tiagra's mine accounted for two marlin as you will find that the marlin will take the lure on the cheapest set of gear every time
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Posted By: biggear
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 7:19am
If you can afford it, go for the best which is shimano. I am running all Tica 80w as that is all I can afford, but as I havnt had a marlin on one yet I cant give you any information regarding their performance under pressure.
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Dont let the grey hair fool you!
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Posted By: Murph
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 7:46am
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I picked the Daiwa SLT 50W over the Tiagra because it has a dual disc drag system.
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Posted By: Falco
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 7:50am
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Buy what you can afford as they will spend most of their time sitting in the rod holder looking pretty..If you target tuna a 900h or similar is fine with 24kg and can be used for puke etc with braid in the off season.Alot of people have caught fish on these reels.If you are targeting marlin and will be doing enough to warrent the purchase go for a 50w or 80w..dont go too over the top though.
Good allround starter would be a TLD50,decent rod.
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as dead as dead is
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Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 7:56am
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For someone who is likely to catch the occasional large fish rather than many per season, a Penn or Shimano 50W off trade me would be an economical and sensible choice. I run 7 Penn and 4 shimano game sets between 30w and 80w. I prefer the shimanos as they need a little less maintenance and I feel the drags are slightly superior. An occasional user would never know the difference. I can't comment on the Daiwa which might be fine, but regarding the other 'cheap' brands, ask yourself if you want to lose what might be the only marlin you ever hook because you bought a cheap reel. Add up the many 1000's of $'s you will possibly invest in time and fuel etc to hook that marlin, and going cheap on the reel is just silly. Second hand quality before cheap new bling every time if you are on a budget.
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Posted By: Capt Asparagus
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 8:40am
I agree with Tagit. Although reluctantly about the shimano thing (haack! Spit! shimano!)
hehehehe, It is the old Holdens vs Fords thing.
Other brands to consider, if you see them, Alutechnos is a very good reel. Daiwas are excellent. Maybe look to getting an Accurate game reel as well maybe. But the cheapest goldies will be the Penn/shim options off trade me.
Daiwa 900H or Penn Sneator 9/0 would be perfectly adequate for tuna, but Marlin are at the upper limit of that reels performance range.
If you are going to be using it stand-up, definitely stick with the 50w size reel, 80s are just too big and heavy to comfortably use stand-up.
cheers,
good hunting,
Stu.
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Posted By: seansurfy
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 8:43am
Alutecnos 50W 2sp - beautiful, quality reel, machined to very high standard, much better anodising than shimano, infinite antireverse, fantastic drag, runs silent....no annoying clicking sound when cranking, larger capacity than other 50W reels
Daiwa SLT- The SLT has plenty of features like custom spool sleeving(not standard on most other reels). The SLT is smooth, like the Tiagra, and alot smoother and quieter than Penn. The main shaft bearing stabilizer (sleeved spool) that needs to be machined with other reels, prevents excessive side pressure on spool bearings regardless of drag tension from the the dual drag, which is one of the best. The SLT 50W is a bit smaller compared with other 50W reels.
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Posted By: Dead Ant
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 9:34am
Good advice to stick with the better and more recognised brands, Shimano, Penn, Daiwa, Duel. My personal preference is to avoid the Okuma, TICA, Bond... reels as until you're hooked up you don't realise how pwerful these fish are.
For size it depends on where you are fishing. Most marlin caught in NZ are stripies and a 50W with 24 should be heaps for them. If you are heading out deeper and blues a possibility then 80W's with 37kg become recommended. Blacks are usually found around structure but stripies are often in the same place.
More anglers start with 50W's then upgrade to 80's. Just make sure you buy a reel that won't cost you that fish of a lifetime. I was listening to the VHF off the Aldermans last week and heard a crew swearing and cursing their TICA's having cost them 3 fish in a morning. Not good!
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Posted By: Capt Asparagus
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 10:06am
The alutechnos are certainly beautiful reels. I have an older 50/80 version, single speed, and it is just a gorgeous reel to use.
Personally, I would forget about the 2 speed thing too, you are not likely to ever need it, at least, I never have. The only truly easy and flawless 2 speed system I have ever used, and used regularly, is that of the Duel reels. Wind forward for hi speed, backwards for low speed, just so simple and quick, not shagging around trying to find buttons to push etc.
But that is just me. I am sure others use the low gears all the time, me I just crank a little harder on the high speed, hoping thereby to get or keep the fishes head turned.
So, I reckon an ideal starting gold reel would be a single speed 50W. Trouble is, that is probably only about $20 less than the much more numerous 2 speeds these days.
cheers,
Stu.
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Posted By: jasha
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2009 at 12:34pm
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Hey Stu,
Thanks for all your great advice. Found this one trademe thats still active.
tw 80 Penn with Maxima line x 1100mtrs
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Fishing/Big-game/Reels/auction-198485954.htm - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Fishing/Big-game/Reels/auction-198485954.htm
Whats your thoughts? At $450 is it resonable. Am I best to check it out first?
Stu
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Posted By: Fishb8
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2009 at 12:52pm
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Buy a Shimano and you won't regret it but agree the Duel is way better, but dearer and higher maintenance (think Ferrari and Toyota). I have a single and a 2 speed.
However, I also have 2 Tica 30WTSreels. One has braid and you certainly use both speeds when playing a marlin, which it has had 2 on, both landed. My other Tica has 15 kg mono and has landed 5 marlin, all incident free. I've stripped down these reels and found them to be of good quality materials and well engineered. I trust my reels but The Tiagras are reels that are durable and low-maintenance.
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Be yourself; everyone else is already taken
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Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2009 at 5:14pm
I am a Shimano freak in the vicinity of around 30+k spent with them over the years 10x 80's not a moments worry other than the odd scratch heaps of 50's TLD 50s you name it they have graced my cockpit.
Now I see you mention Tica, dont be put off, last years nationals Blue taken on a Tica , my brother solely runs Tica 80s when game fishing and his do dam well so its been said but what you can afford or buy right the 1st time.
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Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland
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