Offshore Bottom Bouncing Reel

[TREVELLY]

Fishing 30 to 100m depth I have been using overhead but find the level winding of braid at the end of a day has been pretty tough on hands - thumb mainly.

I have been using fingerless gloves with pretty good success.

I tried several different braids and now have gone to a level wind reel.

Last outing a mate brought along an Okuma Level Wind - nice size and robust looking outfit.

I looked for a while at suitable reels and have a Daiwa Saltist (not level wind) and there is a level wind model but seeing as the reel I bought on the forum was flogged out and I replaced all bearings and pinion gear with great difficulty (holing the housing at one bearing) after one use I am not so keen to get same model - you've put me off the Saltist Tim.

I would have liked to have gotten a Daiwa level wind Saltiga - but they don't make them.

So the set up now is Okuma TG 15L with Okuma V system VS501 JOHN 37kg rod filled with power pro braid - super fine smooth stuff. Set-up should be pretty good I recon.

It is a pretty hard to find reel but is about 230USD on fleabay and 350AUD in OZ if you can find it

okuma.JPG

Just wondering what you guys use for bottom bouncing for reef fish in the 50 to 100m deep stuff?

I have a few big eggbeater outfits but they are not suited to this depth and snapper leads etc. I can jig to this depth but bait fishing you get up to a couple of hundred metres of line out.

A mate uses the Daiwa electric and just laughs at me winding

[hooknpull]

i have a tekota 700. very smooth and priced well from the states. not bad at all..

[Moonlighter]

Another vote from me for the Tekota, I have 2 x 800's. They are bullet-proof, very strong internals. Have just upgraded the already good std drags to carbontex, they will handle 50-80 lb braid easily.

[hooknpull]

yeah mine have 80lb braid on them and used them at swains scull dragging descent fish up. really are great bang for buck.

[Muddy Toes]

I'll also jump on the Tekota band wagon......i've got the 700 and it's become my go to trolling reel.But for bottom bashing i use a tyrnos 16.

[grave41]

I think the braid you have been using is not up to scratch . You dont have this problem with high quality braids. A braid with an 8 ply weave is rounder and smoother to use.Daiwa sensor braid is my personal favourite for bottom bashing also Avani, Frog is cheaper and almost as good. I use these on accurate 870 2 speed ,torsa 30 .torsa 16.
Imo graham

[hooknpull]

I'll also jump on the Tekota band wagon......i've got the 700 and it's become my go to trolling reel.But for bottom bashing i use a tyrnos 16.

i have 2 tyrnos aswell but i use them for trolling. there are alot of good overhead reels on the market these days. shimano have some great reels atm for value for dosh...

[wave dancer]

I use a shimano tekota 700 on a shimano t-curve. Its spooled up with 50pld braid and i find it works a treat and havent had any problems with the reel so far. My new tyrnos 30 two speed arrived yesterday, cant wait to do some trolling and test it out. Most of my gear is shimano and i think their gear is a good price for the quality of there products. Some of their top end stuff is a bit out of the average workin mans range but their lower end scale i find good value. If you dont already, check out mo tackle, they are a online stores in coffs harbour. Great prices and top friendly service with well packaged deliveries.

[Tim Hutchison]

[QUOTE=TREVELLY;1330992]

I looked for a while at suitable reels and have a Daiwa Saltist (not level wind) and there is a level wind model but seeing as the reel I bought on the forum was flogged out and I replaced all bearings and pinion gear with great difficulty (holing the housing at one bearing) after one use I am not so keen to get same model - you've put me off the Saltist Tim.

I don't think the reel was flogged out you had a good look at it before you brought it, i told you it needed a drag upgrade and you have had it for over a year now you should have said something straight away and i would have taken it back if you thought that, do you think as you have replaced parts and still no good, that it is just one of the cheapest jigging reels you can buy.
Tim

[Noelm]

why exactly is an "eggbeater" not suitable for Snapper leads?? not trying to start a shit fight or refute what you said, just interested.

[reggy]

Have a look at the PENN Fathom if you need a levelwind. Just another option.Attachment 74098

[sporty1]

I use tha shimano "Charter Special" loaded with 50lb braid and find it suitable for all bottom bouncing applications. It is relatively cheap and has worked well for the past 3 years. Not sure if you need overly expensive reels for this type of fishing.

[TREVELLY]

[QUOTE=Tim Hutchison;1331145]

I looked for a while at suitable reels and have a Daiwa Saltist (not level wind) and there is a level wind model but seeing as the reel I bought on the forum was flogged out and I replaced all bearings and pinion gear with great difficulty (holing the housing at one bearing) after one use I am not so keen to get same model - you've put me off the Saltist Tim.

I don't think the reel was flogged out you had a good look at it before you brought it, i told you it needed a drag upgrade and you have had it for over a year now you should have said something straight away and i would have taken it back if you thought that, do you think as you have replaced parts and still no good, that it is just one of the cheapest jigging reels you can buy.
Tim

Tim I have been fishing for 37 years I know flogged out - it works okay now with new bearings and a new pinion gear - but is a very difficult bearing replace.
I flogged out many a seascape in the dark old days spinning them to death - this reel had all the hallmarks of flogged out - the bearings were dry and worn and the pinion gear the same.
As i say it works okay for now with all new bearings and replaced pinion gear unlike the grating sound and stiff action it had after one outing.
I did not expect the bearings to be so difficult to replace and after damaging the reel to remove main bearing behind crank gear i could hardly ask for it to be taken back and I had already spent $100 on the bearing set.
As you say it is cheap and yes okay for the money.
I will get another year from it then most likely chuck it.
No hard feelings Tim - Yes it was flogged out.
The rod seems good.
I would have liked to have bought a Saltiga level wind but they don't make them.

[TREVELLY]

why exactly is an "eggbeater" not suitable for Snapper leads?? not trying to start a shit fight or refute what you said, just interested.

Hi Noel,

I use an eggbeater when there is little to no current and get to the bottom fine with out putting out too much line.

When drifting and trying to keep in contact with the bottom I can have up to 250m of 50lb braid off the reel as I did several times last trip out to Deep Tempest - hence i want a reel with capacity to maintain reel diameter when I start the retrieve to get reasonable retrieve rate.

[jason p]

hey trev, i saw the tittle and thought u beuty trevs been on, but not this time.

im using a tyrnos 30 running 30lb bionic braid and think its a fantastic real, smooth, reliable, cheap compared to others, has never let me down or have i ever thought that i needed an upgrade whilst using it. its not a leval wind and to be honest i wouldnt want one (more unnecessary moving parts). i fish deep water when i can and i only have to give the line a tap in the direction i want it to go. in saying that most of the time i dont realy worry about having it that leval until im finished for the day, and even then. in the future i may get my self the smaller of the tyrnos reals and keep the 30 for trolling, it does get heavy when using 24oz of lead in 80m of water on the drift.

cheers jp