Spinning reels for albacore?

Question

Do any of you use spinning reels for albacore? I just caught one 24lb albacore on a spinning rig last Sunday. I just wanted to know if anyone else does this and what kind of spinning reel/rod combo would you recommend. I would like to use this combo for general fishing as well that why I really don't want a conventional reel for just albacore. I just don't go fishing for them too much but man those things fight hard!!!

Macarthur I've heard those reels are really good. Do you think a 6500 is a little big for pier and shore fishing? I was leaning more for the 4500 just because it's more versatile. If I fished for albacore more then maybe go with the 6500

Answer 1

Peter, I'm not understanding you. Your saying that conventional tackle is better than spinning because after 3 fish you have more than 150 twist's in your line? The line is therefore too twisted to fish????????????(what?)

Perhaps 30 years ago this might be true, but with todays Shimano's, Daiwa's, Penn's, spinning outfit technology's ,IMHO, I'm gonna have to say, "What??".

Get a Stella or Van Staal and some nice ball-bearing swivel's and you can catch (30-60LB)King's & Mahi all MONTH on the same line! Heck, just get some good ball-bearing swivel's!

I agree, conventional is the way to go for fish over 100 + LB's , but all the advances many company's have made in spinning reel technology ,(not to mention "line technology"), Spinning outfit's are the way to go now-a-days for fish under the 100 mark,(IMHO).

Don't get me wrong, "conventional" still has a place, (usually on the downrigger's), but for kite-fishing or drifting, or any type of trolling near "top", a Shimano Tallus Blue Water Rod matched to a Thunnus spinning reel is "#1" for me!

I probably just read it wrong. I've got old eye's & a old-man's brain! (lol)

Spinning reels for Tuna:

"Dream Reels" (lol)
1. Van Staal VS "Gold"
2. Shimano "Stella" STL20000FA
3. Accurate "Platinum TwinSpin SR30"

"Good Bet's"
1. Shimano "Thunnus" TU 16000F ($239)
2. Shimano "Baitrunner" BTR 6500 B ($120)


Look into the "Ocean Master" 10000 . It's made for Bass Pro Shop's brand BY Daiwa. It's only $79 but looks "worthy" at that price, (although you DO lose your baitrunner feature!).

'Course you can't beat an old Penn "Spinfisher" SSm Metal 750SS for durability!

Hope this helps ya?

(No hard feeling's Peter, you still the "Mack Daddy of offshore" in my book! lol)

Answer 2

With albacore, or any tuna or offshore fish, the main part of the fight is the long runs the fish make. The problem with using spinning gear is that when a fish runs off 50 yards of line from a 3-inch spool, it puts over 150 twists into the line. That means the next time you cast out, the line may tend to wrap up on itself. Catch two or three of them, and fishing will be impossible. (I did this as a kid, though with smaller fish -- 3-5 pound bonito on 6-8 pound line. It's the main reason I don't use spinning gear for sizeable fish. It's no fun being all twisted up and unable to fish when the bite's on.)

Another problem with saltwater-sized spinning rigs: the reels are bigger and bulkier than conventional reels made for the same test line, and they generally have smaller capacities. So it's more work to fish with them, and if you stumble on a larger specimen (or a stronger fish, like a yellowfin or bluefin tuna), getting spooled is more likely.

Anyway, I'm unsure what you mean by "general" fishing which requires a spinning outfit. I fish for everything from 1-3 pound sand/calico bass up to the offshore tuna and yellowtail with conventional outfits. I only use spinning for freshwater and very light saltwater (8 pound test and lighter), and I think you'd agree an 8 pound spinning outfit isn't suitable for albacore.

All that being said, albies are pretty tame as far as offshore fish go. You should have no problem landing them on any quality spinning outfit made for 20-25 pound line. Long casts aren't that important, so you don't need a long rod, and a shorter rod will make fighting the fish easier. I use 7-8 foot conventional outfits, so that's the rod length I'd recommend.

Answer 3

Go west coast and learn how to fish a conventional. For 140 bucks you can get a reel that will handle albacore,yellowfin,big eye,small under 200# bluerfin. Yea you can drop a small fortune on a spinning reel but why I can outcast your spinner with a Diawa Grandwave 30.

Answer 4

Spinning Reels For Tuna

Answer 5

Albies are fighters. You'll need a big Shimano Baitrunner reel, the 5500 should do it. The 4400 Baitrunner is a tough reel with a smooth drag and you might be able to handle an Albie if your drag is set right and you have enough line to bleed on a run.

Answer 6

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