Tld 50lrs as kite reel?

[aquaholic]

I know there have been reports of frame issues with the bigger TLDs but is there a way to make them a viable kite reel for a private boat? I have 3 of them collecting dust and if it’s possible (albeit not ideal) I might designate one of them to the kite. The next biggest reel I have now is a Mak 20 and it doesn’t have the capacity.

Robert

 

[F.I.S.H.Y]

You can use the mak 20 for kites. If you have 600 or more yards you should be ok. A member on here got a cow with the 20 on the kite. Tlds will work too.

 

[aquaholic]

My Mak 20s are filled with 130 hollow so I don’t think it’s close to 600. Being on a private boat I can turn and burn if I have too but dealing with the kite on top of chasing the fish esp if the clip doesn’t pop would be an issue I would think.

 

[cow man]

Tibron used to make frames for those which made them tougher, I used to have one.. caught my first cow on it..
I don’t know if you can still get the frame though..

 

[Tedward2020]

I’m using mak30 with 1000yards 100lb jb as a kite reel..

 

[aquaholic]

I’m using mak30 with 1000yards 100lb jb as a kite reel..

You can get 1000 yards of jb on a 30? That would work. Be about half the price of the reel though
Robert.

 

[Tedward2020]

You can get 1000 yards of jb on a 30? That would work. Be about half the price of the reel though
Robert.

Ya but it’s worth it!! Can double up as a a big nighttime flat falling when big fish at around… personal preference

 

[aquaholic]

Ya but it’s worth it!! Can double up as a a big nighttime flat falling when big fish at around… personal preference

Yeah. That was my problem with buying a 50w like most people use for a dedicated kite rod. I wouldn’t use it for much else. Just too big and heavy to use for long. I use my Mak 20s for nighttime flat falling. Never been past half spool but the biggest I’ve landed was a tad over 200.

 

[Tedward2020]

I’ll use one of my mak16 for nighttime flat falls.. other is for live bait and sinker fishing

 

[Tugboat64]

TLD will work, there was a video of a guy on facebook with a fish well over 250 on a 50 LRS and he had it to color before the line gave out. I've also fished a mak 20 on the kite and it works. Had a 284lber off the kite with it.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Willfish Tackle in Auburn makes a nice frame conversion for those. They seem well made. I upgraded my TLD 50 and 30. My 50 frame broke on a big fish. The original frames were not made for high drag.

I don't think the frames are on the website. I called and mailed mine to them and they sent it back installed. They also sold me a nice handle upgrade for the TLD-30.

https://willfishtackle.com/

 

[NorCal wanderer]

Willfish Tackle in Auburn makes a nice frame conversion for those. They seem well made. I upgraded my TLD 50 and 30. My 50 frame broke on a big fish. The original frames were not made for high drag.

I don't think the frames are on the website. I called and mailed mine to them and they sent it back installed. They also sold me a nice handle upgrade for the TLD-30.

https://willfishtackle.com/

I believe will fish also does a drag upgrade for TLD'S..

 

[spongehead]

Willfish Tackle in Auburn makes a nice frame conversion for those. They seem well made. I upgraded my TLD 50 and 30. My 50 frame broke on a big fish. The original frames were not made for high drag.

I don't think the frames are on the website. I called and mailed mine to them and they sent it back installed. They also sold me a nice handle upgrade for the TLD-30.

https://willfishtackle.com/

I have a debate with my friend about how the frame breaks. Were you you strapped to a harness (SU or seated) ie top lugs strapped to shoulder? or were you fighting SU, rail or in a rod holder?

 

[MightyMach]

I have a debate with my friend about how the frame breaks. Were you you strapped to a harness (SU or seated) ie top lugs strapped to shoulder? or were you fighting SU, rail or in a rod holder?

When strapped in, from what I have read.

Willfish Tackle in Auburn makes a nice frame conversion for those. They seem well made. I upgraded my TLD 50 and 30. My 50 frame broke on a big fish. The original frames were not made for high drag.

I don't think the frames are on the website. I called and mailed mine to them and they sent it back installed. They also sold me a nice handle upgrade for the TLD-30.

https://willfishtackle.com/

Will fish only does 20 and 30 now-no more 50s. Before i started replacing my reels this season, I looked into Willfish-they just aren’t cost effective to retrofit. I REALLY wanted to not buy new reels, but it just wasn’t cost effective.

Sell your TLD and move on or keep for loaner gear.

 

[spongehead]

When strapped in, from what I have read.




Will fish only does 20 and 30 now-no more 50s. Before i started replacing my reels this season, I looked into Willfish-they just aren’t cost effective to retrofit. I REALLY wanted to not buy new reels, but it just wasn’t cost effective.

Sell your TLD and move on or keep for loaner gear.

I still believe its an axial torque load across the frame produced by high single sided drag pressures that breaks the frames either harnessed or not. The feet of frame is the weakest point not the cross bars. I notice that the broken ones at swapmeets with incomplete breaks or just cracks are on one side of the foot. Just a theory.

 

[tunakillerjoe1]

Any idea on how much the retrofits cost from Willfish? Drag upgrade and frame?

 

[jer dog]

Any idea on how much the retrofits cost from Willfish? Drag upgrade and frame?

I made a choice like four years ago,
To either upgrade my TLD 20 II, to the willfish frame, or buy the Tiagra 20,
I sold my TLD, and put it towards the Tiagra, 20. Doug from fisherman’s landing tackle, gave me the advice, not to put
$200 into a old reel, that made it A easy decision.

 

[Cubeye]

Yeah. That was my problem with buying a 50w like most people use for a dedicated kite rod. I wouldn’t use it for much else. Just too big and heavy to use for long. I use my Mak 20s for nighttime flat falling. Never been past half spool but the biggest I’ve landed was a tad over 200.

If you can get a Penn 50TW cheap enough, it might be worthwhile looking into.

Let me know if you're interested. I have few laying around somewhere. I even have a Penn 80 and 80W

 

[MightyMach]

Any idea on how much the retrofits cost from Willfish? Drag upgrade and frame?

Cost $220 for 20s and $230 for the 30s.

No discounts for multiple reels. I elected to pass as well. You can sell your reel for 150-200 and pick up a used talica 12 for 450

So… 220 for a n aluminum TLD or 250-300 (after you sell the TLD) for a talica 12.

So there you have it…. For 30-80 more you get a talica. Easy decision.

 

[geebee]

just saw this on craigslist:

FISHING ** SHIMANO TLD 50 LRS WILL FISH CUSTOM - $550 (VISTA)​

FISHING ** SHIMANO TLD 50 LRS WILL FISH CUSTOM - sporting goods - by...

CUSTOM SHIMANO TLD 50 LRS AFTER MARKET WILL FISH FRAME GEAR PLATE & HANDLE 150 LB. LINE IN THE BOX & WORKS GREAT $550 CALL IN VISTA N. C. SAN DIEGO

sandiego.craigslist.org

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

I have a debate with my friend about how the frame breaks. Were you you strapped to a harness (SU or seated) ie top lugs strapped to shoulder? or were you fighting SU, rail or in a rod holder?

Stand up, no harness, not on rail. Frame broke about an inch away from the foot.