Penn International 30 or 50 for BFT?

[esmalind]

Hello all,
I am a newbie prepping for my first multi-day (4) Tuna trip in August. Watching the reports I am beginning to wonder if my heaviest gear (Penn Fathon 40nld 2 Speed) will be outmatched- likely yes). I had planned on renting a heavy set-up though that is looking to be more expensive than I thought. Now considering buying used.
My questions: would an older Penn International 30 or 50 be a viable option? If so, what are the reasonable capabilities and line sets ups for each reel?
Are there better used options to consider?
Anyone selling used gear that I might find useful?

I have always found the info in this forum useful, and I thank you for your time and consideration,
Eric

 

[deadlift500]

What boat are you going on? Some offer “free” heavy loaner gear where you contribute only like 15 or twentyf dollars for the whole trip towards the cost of the line, cheaper than renting from a landing.

 

[tunanorth]

There are a lot of "IFs", but in general, the early generation Internationals are not suitable for the current fishing.
An exception would be if aftermarket work [such as done by Cal Sheets] has been done somewhat recently, and to what extent.
The older models were designed for their numeric namesake [a 30 was intended for 30-pound line, etc], and they were overbuilt enough to be able to go up one level.
A modern International 30VISX would routinely be used with 100 or even 130-pound lines.
Your 40NLD2 will be very good for a lot of things, but also too light for many situations.
With the modern reels, you also don't need to go as large as a 30 or 50, and the next "step up" you should be looking at beyond your 40N would be a 16VISX or 20VISX.

 

[esmalind]

What boat are you going on? Some offer “free” heavy loaner gear where you contribute only like 15 or twentyf dollars for the whole trip towards the cost of the line, cheaper than renting from a landing.

I am going out on the Poseidon. I checked the price with them and then considered my options for used gear.

 

[tunanorth]

I am going out on the Poseidon. I checked the price with them and then considered my options for used gear.

Unfortunately, there are rarely any inexpensive options with big tuna gear.
When checking out used gear, it should still be of modern manufacture.
The proper gear is expensive, and [hopefully] will be subjected to some pretty heavy use, so the rental prices will reflect that.
Of the "5 essential rigs", your 40N is #4 on the list; essential to have, but not enough by itself.
You need a #5.

5 RIGS; DON’T LEAVE THE DOCK WITHOUT THEM!
​

1. 20-25 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Fathom star drag FTHII15SD or FTHII12SD

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 10-25 or 12-30 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII1025C80

Applications- Finesse live bait for school size bluefin & yellowfin tuna

2. 30-POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ15LD2, PENN Fathom 2-speed FTH15LD2 or FTH15XNLD2

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 15-40 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII1540C80

Applications- All around live bait use for yellowtail, dorado, and finesse live bait tuna to 75 pounds

3. 40-POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ25NLD2, PENN Fathom 2-speed FTH30NLD2 or FTH25NLD2

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 25-50 or 30-60 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII3060C76

Applications- Live bait use for tuna up to 100 pounds; light & medium jigs for tuna & yellowtail

4. 60-80 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ40NLD2, PENN Fathom 2-speed FTH40NLD2

Rod- Conventional 6.5 to 8-feet, rated for 30-80 or 40-100 pound lines. EX: PENN CARWCIII40100C78

Applications- Tuna up to 175 pounds with live bait and fall-type jigs; yo-yo jigging for yellowtail

5. 80-100 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN International 2-speed 16VISX or 20VISX

Rod- Conventional “Rail Rod” 6.5 to 7.5 feet, rated for 80-150 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII80130C70 or CARWCIII80150C70

Applications- Live bait or fall-type jigs for tuna up to 300 pounds

 

[finsane]

Unfortunately, there are rarely any inexpensive options with big tuna gear.
When checking out used gear, it should still be of modern manufacture.
The proper gear is expensive, and [hopefully] will be subjected to some pretty heavy use, so the rental prices will reflect that.
Of the "5 essential rigs", your 40N is #4 on the list; essential to have, but not enough by itself.
You need a #5.

5 RIGS; DON’T LEAVE THE DOCK WITHOUT THEM!
​

1. 20-25 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Fathom star drag FTHII15SD or FTHII12SD

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 10-25 or 12-30 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII1025C80

Applications- Finesse live bait for school size bluefin & yellowfin tuna

2. 30-POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ15LD2, PENN Fathom 2-speed FTH15LD2 or FTH15XNLD2

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 15-40 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII1540C80

Applications- All around live bait use for yellowtail, dorado, and finesse live bait tuna to 75 pounds

3. 40-POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ25NLD2, PENN Fathom 2-speed FTH30NLD2 or FTH25NLD2

Rod- Conventional 7 to 8-feet, rated for 25-50 or 30-60 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII3060C76

Applications- Live bait use for tuna up to 100 pounds; light & medium jigs for tuna & yellowtail

4. 60-80 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ40NLD2, PENN Fathom 2-speed FTH40NLD2

Rod- Conventional 6.5 to 8-feet, rated for 30-80 or 40-100 pound lines. EX: PENN CARWCIII40100C78

Applications- Tuna up to 175 pounds with live bait and fall-type jigs; yo-yo jigging for yellowtail

5. 80-100 POUND RIG

Reel- PENN International 2-speed 16VISX or 20VISX

Rod- Conventional “Rail Rod” 6.5 to 7.5 feet, rated for 80-150 pound lines. Ex: PENN CARWCIII80130C70 or CARWCIII80150C70

Applications- Live bait or fall-type jigs for tuna up to 300 pounds

Rail rods are getting hard to find, I just ordered one of your CARWCIII80150C70. The price can't be beat, after looking at the pics of them in action in your old thread sold me.

 

[tunanorth]

Rail rods are getting hard to find, I just ordered one of your CARWCIII80150C70. The price can't be beat, after looking at the pics of them in action in your old thread sold me.

The monster fish this year are making getting the proper gear at any price an exercise in persistence!

 

[finsane]

The monster fish this year are making getting the proper gear at any price an exercise in persistence!

You're right, I'm seeing too many stories and videos of heart breaks out there due to tackle failure. The game has definitely changed, and preparation is key. I'm going to put my 30VSX (Cal's treatment) on the Carnage and my 16 VSX on another XX Rainshadow I have.

 

[a salt weapon marine]

Keep in mind most of your heavy gear will be for jig fishing. You need spectra, you need your line marked and you need the right matching rod. At the end of the day it’s easier to rent the proper equipment that’s frequently serviced unless you plan to fish more frequently and want to invest $500-1000+ on something you own. $.02

 

[esmalind]

There are a lot of "IFs", but in general, the early generation Internationals are not suitable for the current fishing.
An exception would be if aftermarket work [such as done by Cal Sheets] has been done somewhat recently, and to what extent.
The older models were designed for their numeric namesake [a 30 was intended for 30-pound line, etc], and they were overbuilt enough to be able to go up one level.
A modern International 30VISX would routinely be used with 100 or even 130-pound lines.
Your 40NLD2 will be very good for a lot of things, but also too light for many situations.
With the modern reels, you also don't need to go as large as a 30 or 50, and the next "step up" you should be looking at beyond your 40N would be a 16VISX or 20VISX.

Thank you for the information. How ‘big’ could I go with a 16 or 20? What kind of pound line can I spool with?
My current 40nld has #80 toro tamer as a #60-#80 set up.
I have a Penn 6/0 aluminum frame I thought of setting up for #100 but I think I really need 2-speed.

Rail rods are getting hard to find, I just ordered one of your CARWCIII80150C70. The price can't be beat, after looking at the pics of them in action in your old thread sold me.

is that Carnage a rail rod? It’s the ‘West Coast’ right?

 

[finsane]

Thank you for the information. How ‘big’ could I go with a 16 or 20? What kind of pound line can I spool with?
My current 40nld has #80 toro tamer as a #60-#80 set up.
I have a Penn 6/0 aluminum frame I thought of setting up for #100 but I think I really need 2-speed.

is that Carnage a rail rod? It’s the ‘West Coast’ right?

Yes

 

[tunanorth]

Thank you for the information. How ‘big’ could I go with a 16 or 20? What kind of pound line can I spool with?
My current 40nld has #80 toro tamer as a #60-#80 set up.
I have a Penn 6/0 aluminum frame I thought of setting up for #100 but I think I really need 2-speed.

is that Carnage a rail rod? It’s the ‘West Coast’ right?

First, do not under any circumstances think that a 6/0 star drag is suitable for this style of fishing.
It would be a very nice reel for trolling for "school size" tuna, plus sharks, Baja grouper, big Alaskan halibut, and for the deep-water rockfish that may be legalized on a limited basis in the future.
Each fish is an individual, and some fight more than others.
On a very general basis, a 16VISX is good for fish under 300 pounds, and the 20VISX will handle fish under 400 pounds.
There are four different Carnage III West Coast Rail Rods, rated: 40-100; 60-100; 80-130; and 80-150.
They are VERY popular so you may have to call around to locate one.

 

[Rubberhook2]

My go to night time jig rod is a Penn International 50, blueprinted with high speed gears, on a Calstar 770XXH. 400 yards of 200lb spectra with a 100 yard topshot of Izor 130lb mono which breaks at about 160....

These bft do not even stand a chance against that rig

 

[Scott McPherson]

Don’t use tha 6/0 for what’s out there. You’ll regret it. Read Steve’s list above.
Fish heavy gear you’ve got a shot at a fish of a lifetime.
Regards
Scott