Need help with choosing a reel

[El_Weruso]

I have a 60-100Lb rod I want to get a reel for Jigging/Dropper loop setup for the larger grade tuna. I'm looking at the Makaira/Saltiga/Talica reels. But I don't know what's more suitable.

MFG	Model	Braid Capac	Great Ratio LOW	Great Ratio HIGH	Drag @ Strike	Drag @ Max	Weight	Price
Okuma	Makaira 16	100#/870Yards	1.3:1/11.8"	3.8:1/39.2"	34Lbs	48Lbs	45.8	$630
Daiwa	Saltiga LD55	100#/500 Yards	2.3:1/20.6"	5.2:1/46.3"	33.1Lbs	45Lbs	37	$750
Shimano	TAC16II	100#/430 Yards	3.1:1/22"	5.7:1/40"	22Lbs	40Lbs	26.5	$610
Shimano	TAC20IICAM	100#/500 Yards	2.3:1/20"	5.2:1/47"	30Lbs	44Lbs	47	$700

 

[lazyfisherman]

Sounds like you need a 80lb reel. Here's a list and they're all great reels. It's a matter of personal preference which one you end up with.

1. Talica 20
2. Torque or Fathom 40nld2
3. Makaira 16, 15t
4. International VISX 12, 16
5. Saltiga 50ld2

I personally have the Visx 12 and Torque 40nld2. I use the VISX 12 for sinker rigs and the 40nld2 for daytime jigging.

 

[MikeC.]

one thing reel manufactures are generally nowhere near close to is braid capacity the mak16 will not hold 800 yards of 100

but a mak 16/20 is a good choice

 

[El_Weruso]

@lazyfisherman So would you say it's more suitable to have 2 setups? I was going to use a full spool of braid to a short leader of mono leader then fluoro. Perhaps just straight to a shock leader.

@MikeC. Yeah I was highly skeptical of that as well. Do you think the makaira can do both the jigging/dropper loop?

 

[BloodyL]

Mak 16 gets my vote.

 

[clevel]

I have a Mak 20, it is very heavy for constant jigging. You’ll get tired very quickly. Great for dropper loop, yo yo, trolling.

 

[surfgoose]

In Lakewood you are surrounded by excellent tackle stores within an easy half-hour drive. Take your rod and go try on each of those reels. See how each fits and feels in your hands. Can you reel quickly? The handle shape matters a LOT to me. Is the reel noisy when you are winding, and does that bother you? Does the lever fall readily to hand? Is the two-speed button easy to engage and disengage? While holding the rod and winding, will you be able to guide the line coming in with your thumb?

All of the reels on your list are fine machines. But just like the driving position in various cars either works for you or doesn't, reels don't all work for all fishermen.

 

[clevel]

I have a Mak 20, it is very heavy for constant jigging. You’ll get tired very quickly. Great for dropper loop, yo yo, trolling.

 

[Kos]

Penn visx 16 or Mak 16 will be your best options. Both heavy framed reels designed to battle big tuna for the applications you mention.

 

[El_Weruso]

Thank you everyone! Seems like the Mak 16 will be the reel to go with. Again thanks!

 

[pinhead_carlton]

probably looking at a 80b setup with what your asking about rn, If you really want to target the larger models I'd suggest getting a 2nd setup for night time jigging or heavier sinker rigs.

for the sinker rig that rod looks like it ought to do the job fine, if your confident in it go for it. it never hurts to go to your local shop and ask around have them pull on it etc.
reel wise though id suggest the Mak 16 or Talica 20 load both with 100# spectra.

 

[lazyfisherman]

@El_Weruso Are you looking into a setup for daytime or nighttime? Those two are different in my opinion. My daytime setups are generally going to be lighter than my nighttime setup. My daytime setups are separated into sinker rig and jigging rig. Nighttime setup is a Visx20 with a Viper. You're not really sinker rig fishing at night so it's just a heavy jig setup. If you want 1 setup to do all three, a Mak 16 or Visx 16 would be the best bet. If you can get 2 setups, I would get a Visx 16 or 20 for nighttime and a Torque 40nld2 sized reel for jigging/sinker rig for daytime.

 

[hucklongfin]

I use an Avet HXW Raptor but that Saltiga 55 is really nice! The Torque/Fathom 40nld2 are great, especially the Fathom for the money. I sometimes use a Mak 16 or 20 but they get heavy after a while and aren’t as comfortable for doing lots of jigging.

 

[El_Weruso]

@lazyfisherman So I have an Andros 12 spooled all the way with 80# max cuattro braid to a 50-80 rod. And a trini 20 with 80# not spooled all the way for surface irons and live bait. I had a 60-100 rod built that's 6' long which I intended for the larger tuna but not sure if it's better to use that as just a sinker rig or if I can get away with using jigs on it too. Otherwise I'll get a jig setup later

 

[562angler]

I’d go with the mak16 or the Saltiga LD55

 

[grb7]

Max 16

 

[tony38]

my Maraira 16 is load it with 580yards of 100lb power pro braid depth meter , if that helps

 

[pinhead_carlton]

I use an Avet HXW Raptor but that Saltiga 55 is really nice! The Torque/Fathom 40nld2 are great, especially the Fathom for the money. I sometimes use a Mak 16 or 20 but they get heavy after a while and aren’t as comfortable for doing lots of jigging.

old fathoms that is the new silver ones may as well be sub $100 with their quality.

 

[hucklongfin]

old fathoms that is the new silver ones may as well be sub $100 with their quality.

My Fathoms are all black! Other than the plastic lever, I think the silver ones are the same as the black ones.

 

[Jdavis77]

I have the penn carnage 60-100 rail rod with a Makaira 16. 100lb metered braid and love that set up. typically my son uses it for night time jigging and sinker rig. i also have the saltiga 50 and 55. those are the reals i use mostly. 50 for 65-80 lb and the 55 saltiga for 100 lb night time jigging. its my favorite reel for all night reeling.

 

[Tim Turis]

Spooled under proper tension, a MAK16 will hold approximately 625 yards of 100# JB hollow spectra with room for a 25’ top shot.

Great reels; highly recommended.

 

[El_Weruso]

I'll most likely have the makaira 16 for jig and sinker rig fishing but will also be looking to get a saltiga ld55 later on with a matching rod like the viper for the jigging at night. Now to find a makaira 16 that's not at retail lol

 

[red_teppin]

Get the new Penn Fathom II 60NLD2 and report back to us.

 

[Cactus Chris]

The fathoms are great reels for the money. The fish don't care if you have a fancy reel

 

[Almud]

Get the new Penn Fathom II 60NLD2 and report back to us.

View attachment 1472327

Just make sure free spool works with drag set to 20# or above.