Yellowtail live bait reel
- Thread starter habazatchery
- Start date
Calstar 15-40 is my niche favorite, most likely you got the e-glass, great 25-30# fly line rod
on a budget I would go with daiwa Saltist BG 35h conventional reel
More budget, shimano Trinidad 16a
PS: 14a size if you don't need the bit of extra line capacity of the 16 -- I mostly fish tuna and have smaller/lighter/cheaper Saltist reels for the less nasty fish -- I've heard it said the eglass rods were originally designed to fish at their higher line ratings, but hard to say until you've pulled on a few fish with it...
on a budget I would go with daiwa Saltist BG 35h conventional reel
More budget, shimano Trinidad 16a
PS: 14a size if you don't need the bit of extra line capacity of the 16 -- I mostly fish tuna and have smaller/lighter/cheaper Saltist reels for the less nasty fish -- I've heard it said the eglass rods were originally designed to fish at their higher line ratings, but hard to say until you've pulled on a few fish with it...
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I like virtually all the recommendations over your first choice.
Lots of good reels out there in that class.
Made in USA, star, lever, even 2 speed is all personal choice.
You didn't mention low profile reels with a level wind. Several good options there too to handle that niche.
I prefer a conventional for live bait ymmv.
A star drag is fine and arguably preferable in that class. Which hat fits your head?
Lots of good reels out there in that class.
Made in USA, star, lever, even 2 speed is all personal choice.
You didn't mention low profile reels with a level wind. Several good options there too to handle that niche.
I prefer a conventional for live bait ymmv.
A star drag is fine and arguably preferable in that class. Which hat fits your head?
I already have a couple low profile level wind reels. I got a Lexa 400 on my jig stick and a komodo 400 on my 20-50# set up. I've got a a Fathom 15 LD on my rock fishing set up. Im not privy to one or the other. I had a 25n that I eventually sold because I wasnt too keen on the size and it just felt clunky in my hands. Im truly undecided on what I'd want on this pole. Budget isnt a huge concern as it will come out of my christmas bonus as a present to myself lol.
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Totally agree - I guess I consider them #25 rods
Can go down to #15/20 if you need and maybe even go up to #30 in a pinch
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Have pulled and landed a fair share of Cedros and Guadalupe YT on 4.x:1 and 3.x:1 geared reels, but never once during any fight did I thought:
"Gee, I wish I was cranking in this fish on the 6.0:1 or higher gear that the 'modern' star drags are coming out with."
Food for thought for perhaps chasing down a well-maintained old school star drag instead...
"Gee, I wish I was cranking in this fish on the 6.0:1 or higher gear that the 'modern' star drags are coming out with."
Food for thought for perhaps chasing down a well-maintained old school star drag instead...
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fishkilr
I Post A Lot But I Can't Edit This
Exactly...what it says isn't feasible so having to interpret what it actually means is ridiculous...
Obv the ratings are spread as far as possible to make the rod as sellable as possible...
Fortunately simply picking up the rod and checking a few things allows me to confidently decide what the actual range is .
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i think in Calstar and Seeker’s case the line ratings were inherited from Sabre so it’s been going on for 40+ years. That’s why all the rod builders on here always recommend you pulling on them before you buy.
Line ratings are also different from one manufacturer to another. At least it’s not as bad as determining hook sizes from one maker to another.
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Trinidad 14a. I’ve got a bad habit of buying things, using it for a tiny bit and selling it to try something else but along with my LB ss 270h-8, my Trinidad is one of the few things I’ll probably use for as long as I fish. The handle has turned from white to basically orange 
. Casts even The smallest bait like a dream, spool is super light/smooth and has enough power to kill anything from tuna to calico in 25lb class
. Casts even The smallest bait like a dream, spool is super light/smooth and has enough power to kill anything from tuna to calico in 25lb class
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2Rotten
Live in Oregon/Love to Fish San Diego!
- Jan 10, 2010
- 810
- 2,091
- Name
- Rod Lathrop
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- 24' North River Seahawk Hardtop "Sun Dog"
I have a bunch of Torque and Fathom 2-speeds, love them for their power, but...
For the mission you describe the Trinidad is butter smooth, casts better than my 25 nld2 in either model, and will be brilliant for fly-line.
For the mission you describe the Trinidad is butter smooth, casts better than my 25 nld2 in either model, and will be brilliant for fly-line.
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14A and 16NA here also, I say both cause I'll usually have 20/25 or 25/30 tied on respectively...
Depending on the size I still love my old Calcutta 400TE for fish up to about 20ish#
Depending on the size I still love my old Calcutta 400TE for fish up to about 20ish#
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yessokk
Luck favors the well prepared.
When Yellow Tail hunting one of the main objectives is to get the sardine as far away from the boat as possible. Especially on the initial cast away from the boat. The Physics of the matter require the longest rod possible and the reel with the lightest spool possible. Since the rod is now chosen the reel selection is next.
In order of preference:
Your Lexa 400 or Kamodo are hands down the best reels for the longest cast possible because they have the lightest spools of all the reel mentioned above. Personally use a Lexa 400 spooled with 30lb Sufix 832 and a 20 ft, 20 lb fluoro leader. Have caught 70lb sharks, 50lb Black Sea Bass,
35 lb Blue fin and my personal best YT @30lbs on that rig. The next best recommendation,,,, in the heavier cast aluminum spool class would be the Shimano Trinadad TN14A . Cannot say enough good things about this reel. You will be able to pack
400+ yds of 30 spectra or 380 yds of 40 spectra. More then adequate for any local YT's and football tuna. As mentioned in several post above it cast the lighter wt. lures (sardines) like a dream. Have casted baits side by side with the TN14A and only bested them by a small margin. The 16 is doable but you casting distance will suffer.
My thoughts for your consideration.....
Walt
In order of preference:
Your Lexa 400 or Kamodo are hands down the best reels for the longest cast possible because they have the lightest spools of all the reel mentioned above. Personally use a Lexa 400 spooled with 30lb Sufix 832 and a 20 ft, 20 lb fluoro leader. Have caught 70lb sharks, 50lb Black Sea Bass,
35 lb Blue fin and my personal best YT @30lbs on that rig. The next best recommendation,,,, in the heavier cast aluminum spool class would be the Shimano Trinadad TN14A . Cannot say enough good things about this reel. You will be able to pack
400+ yds of 30 spectra or 380 yds of 40 spectra. More then adequate for any local YT's and football tuna. As mentioned in several post above it cast the lighter wt. lures (sardines) like a dream. Have casted baits side by side with the TN14A and only bested them by a small margin. The 16 is doable but you casting distance will suffer.
My thoughts for your consideration.....
Walt
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Thanks, Walt. Appreciate your input! I decided to go with the Trinidad 16na. Still small and compact but I feel it'll be able to get the job done relatively well. Thanks again!
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yessokk
Luck favors the well prepared.
Here is the Shimano Trinidad info:
TRINIDAD
Trinidad is a name that resonates with all saltwater anglers and has earned an impeccable reputation for power and reliability. Shimano's quest for the Trinidad A was no easy task: lighter, smaller and more compact were the desired key physical characteristics — and they were accomplished. The...
fish.shimano.com
The 16NA is a good compromise you will be happy.
Walt
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15-40 seems to be more of a 20#-25# rod from my experience. The rods using that rating that I've used and pulled on all were pretty parabolic and soft in the tip but did have lots of backbone similar to 40# rods.
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