Have a hole burning in my pocket!

[8 Week Wonder]

Just received some birthday money and really want to spend it wisely on something that i wouldn't normally splurge on myself. I am looking to upgrade my TLD20II to an avett 2 speed,but not sure as to which model would be comparable. the HX looks like it's close. My thought would be to run spectra underneath with normally 50 or 60lb. mono on top.

any comments about the HX or suggestions as to another model?

[The Bushman]

Steve... I rig my HX's with 85# spectra and topshots of 40# and 50#. You could easily fish 80# topshots. The reels are awesome. I might pick up another one (but narrow) to use with my latest 10' jig stick (you know the one). I'll try and bring it with to rod class tues.

[8 Week Wonder]

i should have known you had one! is the HX comparable in size to a TLD20?

i'll be able to make trhe class tonight. no grandkids or ballgaames to interfer.

[TrixKelly]

I replaced my TLD 20 with the LX.
While i was single speed for single speed the size is actually a better fit IMHO.

You can't go wrong with LX or the HX awesome reels.

goodluck

TRIX

[Steve K]

Excuse the upcoming blasphemy.

For about half the cost of the HX, you could upgrade the TLD20II with a topless frame from Tiburon. Makes a sweet 50-60 lb reel for bait fishing for tuna and big Yellowtail. Add a T-Bar Lite handle and it's even better. Not the kind of thing you want to start out with, but since you already have the reel, it's pretty cost effective. If you want to fish 80 lb, I think you would be happier with a 30 size reel.

[bladeduffer]

Originally Posted by Steve K

Excuse the upcoming blasphemy.

For about half the cost of the HX, you could upgrade the TLD20II with a topless frame from Tiburon. Makes a sweet 50-60 lb reel for bait fishing for tuna and big Yellowtail. Add a T-Bar Lite handle and it's even better. Not the kind of thing you want to start out with, but since you already have the reel, it's pretty cost effective. If you want to fish 80 lb, I think you would be happier with a 30 size reel.

I agree with Steve. The Tiburon frame is an ideal upgrade for the already excellent TLD. This way you can save money toward say, an EX/30 which is a definite notch above the HX, should you decide to go after even bigger fish.

[8 Week Wonder]

i hadn't thought about tib'ing out the tld20II, good thought. as to a 30, i do have a tld30II, maybe one of the options is to "tiburon" out both reels! the thing though is that the type of fishing that i have been doing i would have greater use for a 60lb. outfit.

[Steve K]

Steve, the guts of the 20 and 30 are the same. Yes, you can frame both of them and Tiburon offers a topless frame for the 30 as well. With the addition of the aftermarket drag plate, you'll increase you top end drag and be able to fish 50-60 lb with either reel.

The limitation is that if you try to get much more drag out of these reels at strike, your freespool will suffer. But if you're trolling with them, freespool is not much of an issue like it is when your fllylining a live bait.

Disclaimer is that I have both of these reels with Tiburon frames and T-Bar Lite handles.

[HTA]

The HX is comparable to the TLD 20 II in size and line capacity........but the HX is much more versitile. I have used my HX for some trolling, flylinning bait, yoyo, dropper loop and on a 93H for throwing the 5X surface iron. Where as my Tibbed TLD 20II is a small trolling reel, dropper loop and can be used for the yoyo at times but its lack of casting ability is what pushed me to the HX. The 533 P newwell was much light but felt out of balance to me. I see no differance in my casting the HX versus the Newell for distance. But after a couple hundred cast the weight of the HX will take its toll.

[Steve K]

Originally Posted by HTA

The HX is comparable to the TLD 20 II in size and line capacity........but the HX is much more versitile. I have used my HX for some trolling, flylinning bait, yoyo, dropper loop and on a 93H for throwing the 5X surface iron. Where as my Tibbed TLD 20II is a small trolling reel, dropper loop and can be used for the yoyo at times but its lack of casting ability is what pushed me to the HX. The 533 P newwell was much light but felt out of balance to me. I see no differance in my casting the HX versus the Newell for distance. But after a couple hundred cast the weight of the HX will take its toll.

Dan, well said. I use the TLD20II for fishing tuna and bigger Yellowtail with 50 lb wind-on leaders, 25-50'. With the aftermarket frame, the alignment is much better, as in no frame twist. Also, degreasing and oiling the spool shaft bearings makes a tremendous difference in the amount of freespool you get. An underhand flip off the corner on an anchor job at Alijos is a great spot to use these reels when the chance at a 100+ lb yellowfin is there.

I have other reels for casting jigs and fishing yoyo iron. This one fills a niche for bait fishing, that's it. It also works for me as a dropper loop outfit, but I usually would have the TLD30II set up for that with 60 lb. But if it's a night bite like kerry got into on the recent fiver on the Angler where they got those 50+ pounders, that's 80 lb and up territory for me.

[8 Week Wonder]

i thank all of you for your input and advice. U guys have been a great help. i am going to buy the HX, with looking to tb'ing out the 20 and 30 at a later date.

thanks again for all your help.