Which reel next, Mak20ii or Mak16ii?

[OCFishie]

Hi guys,
Contemplating getting either the 16ii for 80lbs or the 20ii for 100lbs next. I already have the 15ii for 60lbs and a 30ii for 130lbs. Mostly fish SCI area but want to do a LR trip in the near future. Recommendations?
Thanks!
P.S. I'm using a Tac10 for 50lbs.

 

[Yellowtail Dan]

It all depends on what you’re going to be using it for and how often. Truth be told you can buy a 20 and fill it with 100lb hollow to a loop and just change out your wind on leader and use it for both line classes.

If you’re going on a longer trip and want a specific set up for each class buy them both. I have a 16 and two 20’s and have them rigged specifically for a line class. The 16 is rigged with an 80lb wind on leader to 100lb and the two 20’s are 100lb wind on leaders to 100lb hollow.

There are a lot of different options. Good luck

 

[OCFishie]

Thanks for that info Dan. I was leaning towards the 20ii since it can always fish lower. I may need to just go handle the two to see which is more comfortable.
Which one do you find yourself using the most often?

 

[ripped]

I had a 20 and sold it thinking it was a 10 day+ kind of reel. I replaced it with a 16 to match my trips which are up to 8 days. Fast forward... the big bluefin showed up...

 

[Yellowtail Dan]

Thanks for that info Dan. I was leaning towards the 20ii since it can always fish lower. I may need to just go handle the two to see which is more comfortable.
Which one do you find yourself using the most often?

The 16 comes out more often. If budget is an issue you can always gear the 16 up and fish a 100lb top shot on it. The reel has plenty of drag and can handle it you just won't have as much spectra to fall back on. For local bluefin even the bigger fish I honestly don't think you'd need the extra backing. They don't pull as hard or rip off runs like big yellowfin do

 

[F.I.S.H.Y]

Hi guys,
Contemplating getting either the 16ii for 80lbs or the 20ii for 100lbs next. I already have the 15ii for 60lbs and a 30ii for 130lbs. Mostly fish SCI area but want to do a LR trip in the near future. Recommendations?
Thanks!
P.S. I'm using a Tac10 for 50lbs.

Tac 10 for 50lb is way to small! Use a 12ii for 50. The 10 lacks capacity and power. Use the 10 for 20-30lb

 

[Intrepid Fan]

It all depends on what you’re going to be using it for and how often. Truth be told you can buy a 20 and fill it with 100lb hollow to a loop and just change out your wind on leader and use it for both line classes.

If you’re going on a longer trip and want a specific set up for each class buy them both. I have a 16 and two 20’s and have them rigged specifically for a line class. The 16 is rigged with an 80lb wind on leader to 100lb and the two 20’s are 100lb wind on leaders to 100lb hollow.

There are a lot of different options. Good luck

Damn, this is the second time that you have posted how you rig your reels exactly like I do.

 

[OCFishie]

You both make a compelling case to get one of each...

 

[F.I.S.H.Y]

You both make a compelling case to get one of each...

That would be the best thing

 

[Yellowtail Dan]

Damn, this is the second time that you have posted how you rig your reels exactly like I do.

I paid your wife to spy on your set ups for me.

 

[cozenone]

But let me throw a wrench in the mix, I have both the Mak16 and Mak 20, and I really prefer those two for bait, when it comes to flatfalls I reach for the Penn16 VISX or the Penn VISX20 with stoplight rigging, Meaning every 100 yards the 100lb line changes color. The Penn's have a better receive rate

 

[F.I.S.H.Y]

But let me throw a wrench in the mix, I have both the Mak16 and Mak 20, and I really prefer those two for bait, when it comes to flatfalls I reach for the Penn16 VISX or the Penn VISX20 with stoplight rigging, Meaning every 100 yards the 100lb line changes color. The Penn's have a better receive rate

There all the same actually, I thought the same. Mak 16 is same as visx 16 and mak 20 same as visx 20

 

[cozenone]

Mak16 4.3:1/1.3:1.........Mak20 3.8:1/1.7:1
16VISX 4.6:1/1.6:1.........20VISX 4.1:1/1.4:1

 

[FishRock]

Conventional wisdom will say if you are only getting one reel it should be the MAK 20. Fishing the 20 and 16 there is little noticeable difference but...…...

The last 3 trips I have been on were very picky with only a bite a day at best and very few cows around. So a 16 would cover 95% of what you might hook up with and possibly provide just a little bit better bait presentation.

 

[FishRock]

Mak16 4.3:1/1.3:1.........Mak20 3.8:1/1.7:1 39.2/11.8. 39.4/17.5
16VISX 4.6:1/1.6:1.........20VISX 4.1:1/1.4:1 40/14, 41/14

Published numbers show them being close in retrieve rate but not the same. Penn just a little faster.

 

[Ralph C]

FYI the Mac 20 & 30 are the same reels only difference is that the Mac 30 will give you more line capacity. The drag spec’s are the same. If you plan a 10 day or Longer LR trip consider buying a Mac 50 it wil stop just about anything out there. IF your looking at rigging up and covering the spectrum with the 50 you can do it. Like the other guys have said use a loop to loop connection on the 50 and just change out the leader. I went on a 16 day and was surprised at how easily the 50 spins so getting smaller sardines out there is not a problem. The way OKUMA prices up the reels the amount of extra money from the price of 16 or 20 in the long run save you from having to buy another reel.

 

[migelito]

Get the 16 it will fish 80/100 your 30 will fish 100/130. Then get a 20 next. Rent a 50 from the long range boat Till you can add a 50 to your arsenal. Personally I like the 20 over the 30. If you need more line then the 20 will hold you probably needed a bigger reel anyways.

 

[greatbasin]

I fish a my 16 10x's more than my 20.

 

[OCFishie]

Collection is slowly growing

 

[OCFishie]

Wound up getting the 16ii for now...

 

[lougio]

Wound up getting the 16ii for now...

View attachment 1187710

Nice family pic!

 

[OCFishie]

Well, just picked up a 30ii filled with 100lb izorline hollow so I guess I won't need to get the 20ii anymore. Time to get out on the water!

 

[hucklongfin]

I have the 15T/16/20/50 SEa's. If I'm fishing heavier line than what the 20 can hold I want the lower gearing of the 50 together with the extra capacity. No need for the 30 in my lineup. I haven't felt the need for the extra capacity of the 30 for fishing 100#. I've caught a 298 and a 321 fishing 100# on the 20 and had no issues with capacity.

 

[SouthBayKiller]

95% of the fish north of alijos are dead on a 16. The only exception is hooking the wrong bluefin off a stationary boat or fishing a kite and not having the capacity way out.

 

[OCFishie]

I think I've become a tackle junkie....
I see all these posts of huge cows and dont want to miss out on landing one because I overestimated my gear's capabilities.