New to saltwater scene - TLD15 vs Speedmaster IV

[BRETT72]

Hi guys. I am new to the saltwater scene, having spent the past 25 or so years in the high country chasing trout. I am looking for a good 'general purpose' outfit for the boat, basically chasing Kingies, Jewfish and other palagics. I also want to be able to toss a lure from the rocks at Avoca or a pillie from the nearby beaches of The Entrance. I am on a bit of a budget, but I like the looks of the Shimano TLD-15 and also the Speedmaster IV reels, for their line capacity and weight.
I am after ANY advise on which of these reels is better, or any other reel which you think will suit my requirements. Thanks in advance.

[nofrills]

Hey brett

A good spinning reel is hard to beat for versatility.Especially if you want to do a bit of beach fishing as well as boat stuff.Check out a Penn 850 spinnfisher.They are a good solid old reel that are very reliable.
But if your heart is set on one of the above,of which i own both,i would prolly go the TLD the lever drag is worth its weight in gold the downside is its slower if your going to use it for casting slugs ECT.
cheers scotty

[sleepygreg]

For casting forget the tld, go the speedmaster. Agree that the 850 ss threadline is the way to go....extremely versatile reel and built like a brick outhouse. If you are competent with an overhead and you want to fish the stones at avoca look at an abu 10000c. I would also give the penn 950ss a look.....casts well, big capacity, great drag and solid as.

cheers

greg

[polydriverjr]

If you've got a bit of extra money i would go with a Shimano Torium 20, they have a gear ratio of 6.2 to 1 and will handle almost any fish with their excelent drag system. You can piick them up for around $220 if you shop around

[Deiter]

Gotta agree with what Scotty and Greg have already said - that's sound advice. The Penn 850
(8500?) ss is a no - nonsence, versatile reel that will match any o'head in that size range for reliability and drag performane. I know guys who fish 50lb braid off them.

I use one for snapper and beach/ rock work. Owned it for 4 years and given it a beating, but it keeps coming back for more and the drag is as smooth as the day i got it.

Damo

[cammac]

TLD15 not made for casting go the speedmaster4 or something similar in a good brand assuming here u know how to cast an overhead because if u dont u better take it to the local oval or the esturary first to put in a few hours of practice first. try also a 7000c ABU shud have enough capacity with braid and has good anti backlash. see what yr tackle store recommends too. Penn a safe choice if you dont want to worry about backlash maybe not as long to cast, pelagics want a fast retreive rate with spinners. I had a speedmaster once and not sure if it had centrifugal casting brakes think it was a little trickier than the ABU to cast

Cam

[land-lubber]

baitrunner 6500b for most of those applications id prefer it to the penn spinfisher as the baitfeeder function is very handy if floatlining/jew fishing. Tough as and will handle the surf. also agree with the torium for hss off the stones ona budget

[BRETT72]

Guys,
Thanks for all the advise. At least I have some other options now to look at.