Reel for large surface irons

[get some]

Both the TN40N and the Baja Special are too big to properly throw the surface iron.
The spool is too heavy and it will really hinder your casting distance.
I'm a Trinidad guy and fish the TN20 for surface iron (no matter how big), however a similar sized Saltiga or a Newell will do the job fine.
Be careful if you go with the Newell though, as they don't hold up well to multiple big fish in a single trip...
If you're really serious about fishing the surface iron, I would suggest the Trinidad or Saltiga filled with 80# solid spectra to a 3-4' leader of fluorocarbon.
There are not too many fish that will eat the surface iron that you can't handle with that rig. A buddy of mine actually got a 300+ BSB on a 7X at Catalina a couple years ago on a TN16N with straight 65# Power Pro and the reel performed flawlessly...

[Jan from Humbol]

Newell all the way

[Saluki]

Originally Posted by get some

Both the TN40N and the Baja Special are too big to properly throw the surface iron.
The spool is too heavy and it will really hinder your casting distance.
I'm a Trinidad guy and fish the TN20 for surface iron (no matter how big),

If you're really serious about fishing the surface iron, I would suggest the Trinidad or Saltiga filled with 80# solid spectra to a 3-4' leader of fluorocarbon.

There are not too many fish that will eat the surface iron that you can't handle with that rig.


..

Ditto
Ditto
Ditto

[rorduno]

I can toss jigs all day long on my shimano-replace the grease with oil and you're good to go

[SaltySerg]

Originally Posted by get some

I'm a Trinidad guy and fish the TN20 for surface iron (no matter how big),...

One reel for small and large surface irons? Do you change up rods according to the iron size? I ask because it's easier for me to toss a small iron on a 690J and a large iron on a 90J. But I'm open to new techniques.

[tunanorth]

Interesting that nobody has mentioned the Penn Torque TRQ200, which I use on both a 10-foot Tady 1097 for smaller to mid-size jigs [mostly Tady C's and some Tady 45's] and also on a CUI-13 trimmed to 10 feet with a #14 tip, which I use mostly with 7X's and also sometimes Tady 45's.
It is indeed a bit heavier than some other reels, weighing 27 oz. vs. 22 oz. for a traditional Penn 500, but casts like a dream due to the "disconnecting pinion gear", generates over 30 pounds of drag "stock", and has outstanding cranking power due to the "double-wide" gears.
The weight tradeoff is improved even more by the won't-fail "double-dog" anti-reverse, backing up the one-way handle bearing.
If most of your surface iron fishing is mainly for barracuda and calicos, then the weight issue may be important due to all-day repetitive casting concerns. But if you regularly go after yellowtail and other large fish then you will be much more prone to "opportunistic" casting at a boil, a picking bird, or other visual sign, in which case you simply won't feel it.
I set mine up with 250 yards of 50-pound spectra, then add a topshot of 100 yards of 40-pound mono, and although some 22-year old deckhands can cast into the spectra when they borrow it, my personal best is still about 3 yards shy of that.
This 55-year old geezer has landed several yellowtail over 40 pounds and wahoo over 60 pounds with those rigs [with the 10 foot rods], so the mechanical advantage given by the reels does help a lot.
BTW, for true local jig casting with very small iron like Tady A1's, the little TRQ100 holds 200 yards of 40 pound spectra plus a 100-yard topshot of 25 pound mono, and generates over 20 pounds of drag stock.




Disclaimer- affiliated

[sitonmyface]

Originally Posted by BigHammerKing

i agree.


but since you dont like newells, check out the penn baja special. i dont think the trinidads and saltigas have much besides bling compared to the baja.

I tried my Baja special for it, unless you have huge hands that's a tough one to cast. Great reel for the yoyo stuff though

[get some]

Originally Posted by SaltySerg

One reel for small and large surface irons? Do you change up rods according to the iron size? I ask because it's easier for me to toss a small iron on a 690J and a large iron on a 90J. But I'm open to new techniques.

Most of my opinions on the info you're looking for are in this thread.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/ba...face-iron.html (Fishing the surface iron...)

[SaltySerg]

Originally Posted by sitonmyface

I tried my Baja special for it, unless you have huge hands that's a tough one to cast. Great reel for the yoyo stuff though

I have nothing againts Newells. I think they're great reels. I use the 229, 322, 332 for my 3/4-full day trips. I use the 113HN for bottom fishing.

Like everything else, adaptation to new technologies is inevitable. I like classic reels and rods like the next guy however, one cannot ignore new advances in reel/rod technology. I understand the nostalgic value of things past but one must also be open and accept new equipment and ways of doing things. We've come a long way from 386 IBMs and 550 Motorola cell phones and I don't stubbornly hold on to them with angry fist condemming all new technology. I value and honor the past and accept the future.

Sorry for the long rant from this old man.

[SaltySerg]

Originally Posted by get some

Most of my opinions on the info you're looking for are in this thread.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/ba...face-iron.html (Fishing the surface iron...)

Erik, thanks for the link! That is a GREAT post! It's as if I were reading a chapter from a book. Very well written. Sorry I missed it since I rarely check that forum.

Speaking of that, ever consider writing your own book? I'm sure it would provide a lot of useful info for many folks.

[fishpainter]

Originally Posted by SaltySerg

Erik, thanks for the link! That is a GREAT post! It's as if I were reading a chapter from a book. Very well written. Sorry I missed it since I rarely check that forum.

Speaking of that, ever consider writing your own book? I'm sure it would provide a lot of useful info for many folks.

please don't feed the beast.

[get some]

Originally Posted by fishpainter

please don't feed the beast.

don't hate the player, hate the game...