AT residential fisherman please come in.

[iGas]

Anyone here does deep sea fishing?

I'm debating at getting a Penn 115L (675 yards) or a 116L (800 yards) reel, because we almost ran out of line with the last big fish (only a couple of wounds left on the 500 yards spool @ 50 lbs test line).

Which reel should I get?

Is there a better alternative in a Shimmano setup or another competitions?

 

[BoomerD]

What kind of fish are you after?
That matters a LOT...

I haven't been fishing in the saltwater since my garage was burgled in 98...and they stole all my tackle...2 custom Ono rods, Shimano TLD30 reel, Penn International reel, 2 tackle boxes, one about 24x26x26 high with wheels...in all, close to $3000 worth of saltwater gear. (they also stole all my tools, but that didn't hurt as bad as losing my fishing gear)
I fished off the Kahleeforneeya coast for salmon, (trolling and mooching) rock cod, and albacore. Never cared much for halibut or striped bass, although the stripers are a blast to catch.

I like Penn reels for some "deep line" fishing and trolling for tuna, but like the Shimano (TLD) for salmon and rock fish.

edit...I saw in the "rent a laptop" thread that you fish for halibut. IMO, the Penn is by far the better choice for those big monsters.

 

[cherrytwist]

I live in the midwest so use smaller gear for freshwater streams and lakes. It's not the size of the rod, it's how you use it

 

[iGas]

What kind of fish are you after?
That matters a LOT...

I haven't been fishing in the saltwater since my garage was burgled in 98...and they stole all my tackle...2 custom Ono rods, Shimano TLD30 reel, Penn International reel, 2 tackle boxes, one about 24x26x26 high with wheels...in all, close to $3000 worth of saltwater gear. (they also stole all my tools, but that didn't hurt as bad as losing my fishing gear)
I fished off the Kahleeforneeya coast for salmon, (trolling and mooching) rock cod, and albacore. Never cared much for halibut or striped bass, although the stripers are a blast to catch.

I like Penn reels for some "deep line" fishing and trolling for tuna, but like the Shimano (TLD) for salmon and rock fish.

Mostly halibut & salmon.

7' or greater rods & lighter reels for salmon, 6' rod or shorter for halibut and heavier reels.

[add] I fish off Vancouver Island coast, where the big games are The largest salmon I have ever seen at a derby was 93 lbs.

 

[BoomerD]

Also, (you're in BC, correct?) you probably get bigger salmon than we (normally) do around here. IMO, you can't go wrong with a Penn reel for MOST fishing. I guess it depends on how good you are at casting with those...I've seen a bazillion "birds nests" caused by someone who doesn't know how do cast properly with them...(a couple of them were mine)

 

[iGas]

Also, (you're in BC, correct?) you probably get bigger salmon than we (normally) do around here. IMO, you can't go wrong with a Penn reel for MOST fishing. I guess it depends on how good you are at casting with those...I've seen a bazillion "birds nests" caused by someone who doesn't know how do cast properly with them...(a couple of them were mine)

Yup! I'm in BC.

I'm not bad at casting. If you ever come to BC I'll take you out for a fishing trip and too bad that you lost your fishing gears.

PS. This year is the greatest sockeye run that we have had in a 100 year with over 34 million fish up the Fraser river so far.

A few weeks back we had great success with spring as well, but this week we got skunk with salmon. I'm going to try a different spot next weekend.