Trolling combos - Ebay vs. brand names

[Baycruiser]

TLD is probably the go.............they are really well priced these days......seen as low as $175 for the 15, 20 or 25. I recently (Bris. boat show) picked up a Shimano 24kg backbone with a TLD 25 for $235........thought that was too good to pass up.

[gogecko]

How do I 'lay a line' ? Are you talking about using your left thumb to spread the line evenly on the reel as you are winding in? Is that it?

[Baycruiser]

that's it.....

[uripper]

Umm for trolling dont get a level wind reel whatever you do. Would hate to see you get the fish of a life and have that set up get in the way of a smokin reel. Stick with the TLD 25 combos with the backbone rods but if you can afford it go the new t-curve. Load it up with good 10kg mono and youre away.
Cheers
Greg

Have heard the theory that a level wind mechanism can stuff up when going in reverse at high speed (ie big fish /blistering run /smokin reel etc) though never seen any evidence of it - have you or anyone else?? I troll mostly 8-15kg quality mono & reels some with & without level wind & have caught most fast running pelagics without a level wind problem - however, have not caught a bill fish on my gear & my boat yet - maybe thats when I'll learn the level wind lesson?
appreciate any intelligent informed comment as level wind is very convenient - cheers, Rip

[uripper]

but i have seen the level wind come loose and start to fail in just one fight against a solid AJ which won't run as long as a solid surface fish. Look at it this way... how many marlin boats use levelwind??
Tight lines Mitch[/quote]

My apologies to Reeldreamer for not noting his earlier post - but am still wondering if using 8kg on the smaller level wind reels am I going to get into much trouble with a 4kg strike setting - if the fish is too big & fast then it should snap the line before the reel - I think??

[uripper]

another thought - I love my TLD20&25s (they have 10-15kg tournament mono)- super trolling reel - but for bottom bashing less than 50m I find them heavy & cumbersome - much rather use a smaller level wind reel with 20-30lb braid - what are others experiences with versitility of the TLD's??

[Jeremy]

My apologies to Reeldreamer for not noting his earlier post - but am still wondering if using 8kg on the smaller level wind reels am I going to get into much trouble with a 4kg strike setting - if the fish is too big & fast then it should snap the line before the reel - I think??

you won't have to worry about level winds at all if you are using 4 kg strike drag on 8 kg mono - you will break off on strike every time. I use about 2.5 kg strike drag on 8 kg.

Re your other question about bottom bashing in under 50m, yes I like to fish light. Get more bites and have more fun landing them. Actually, I rarely bottom bash. I usually floatline with my baitrunner and set a livie on the TLD.

Jeremy