Offshore trolling reels/lines?

[smellslikefish]

Hi All, I'm quickly becoming interested in doing more offshore fishing, and am trying to (slower than I would like) assemble the gear I need for offshore fishing(trolling), and had a few questions:

Realisticly, I would probally not get offshore on my own boat more than about 6 times a year, so "Gold Reels" are out for now. What I currently have is 1 Penn114 and then 1/2 doz of 4/0 reels. Right now my reels are set up for trolling Rock in the Chessy, and the line is as follows:

Penn114 is full with 50lb mono........so I am assuming, its ready.

1-4/0 reel is full with 40lb mono and prob. has a good 400yds on it........so Im thinking this one is ready also.

The rest of the 4/0s have about 200yds of 40lb mono with about 200yds of 80lb Power Pro put together with a uni to uni.

I was always under the impression that people only used mono for trolling Tuna, Mahi, ect., but have recently fished with people, and read where braid is used. My questions are:

Should I pull all the line off the 4/0's and store for spring Rockfish trolling, and spool to the max(400-450yds) with 40lb mono???

Should I pull off the line off, and respool with all Power Pro(80lb???), giving me a far greater line capacity then with mono???

Or leave on what I have? And if so, will a uni to uni hold up in offshore situations?

Also, if I go with the braid, do I put a topshot of mono leader on the braid........If so, what connection should I use, and what lb test.......


Part 2......

What are the main differences between a "Spot" and an E-pirb?

Thanks for any help.

Bill

[WildeOne]

All of my trolling reels are spooled with Spectra and most are 80# with 20 to 30 yds of mono on top. Most are penn 113HLW, several Daiwa 450's and a couple of Daiwa 900H Sealines. Only advantage of all mono is cheaper to spool. Disadvantages are mony, need to replace line every year, much lower line capacity, etc.

Jim

[Magic Moment]

I would go with the PP and put 100 to 150 yds of 50lb mono top shot. If I was starting over, I would probably buy 30 TLDs as I could afford them with 80lb PP and a 200 yrd 50 lb top shot. Maybe 2 50 TLDs to finish the set when feasable. I have half golds and half TLD 50s, both have great drag systems and will catch most anything out there.

IMO, just recognize the addiction and don't spend money on marginal stuff. I tried starting with some heavy Senators and they caught fish, but they now sit in my dock box rarely used.

[TerpHeels]

I personally think u're fine w/what u got.

[Shutterbug]

As Terp said, I do too. Unfortunately I don't get out much more than you intend to. Saying that grab 2 or 3 more 114 senators. Been using them for almost 20 years, service my own, not failed me yet, with no more than you intend to go probably the cheapest way. If I may say this, I think what your using for rock trolling is bit of overkill.

[TKBMECH]

Go with it, whats the worse thing that could happen, you get spooled, when it comes time to replace, 50 -60 lb braid with a top shot of 100 ft of mono, and enjoy

[chipraynor]

I have the same prob. I started with tld 25 filled with mono..then pulled it all off the next year for braid...i have the money sitting here for the 50's and 80's but i must be spooled before i go and spend that money...i'd rather upgrade and build the bag of tricks then spend the $$ on rods and reels...whatever you buy..take care of them..that salt will kill anything you own. Good Luck, Also I run 8 lines, 3 penn 330, wating for them go get hit by a blue fin or something to rip them apart...the rest are tld 25

TRUE STORY; MY BEST FREIND EDDIE QUICK COUGHT A 850LB BLUE MARLIN THAT WAS TAIL WRAPPED ON A TLD 25, TOOK A BIT BUT GOT HIM IN, RELIZED IT WAS DEAD, BROUGHT IT IN ON A 28FT ALBAMARE, PAID TO DONATE IT TO THE FOOD BANK. MY PIONT...IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE EQUIMENT...IT ALL WORKS, JUST SOME FASTER THEN OTHERS

[gary49]

A big Wahoo will make the drags on the 4/0 Penns go up in smoke. You don't mention where you are planning on fishing, the further north you are the less chance of wahoo, but it isn't out of the question, the Massachusetts state record was smashed with a 100#+ 'hoo a couple of years ago, the old record was 60 something#, I believe. The 6/0 Penns will be fine for 99% of what you might hook out there, especially if you don't target Marlin or big Bluefin tuna. TLD-25's are really nice all around reels, there are a few fish you won't land on one, but there are some amazing stories of really big fish caught on TLD-25s. I don't really understand the rationale behind two speed 30's, I would save my money and use the 25s if you should decide to get some Shimanos.