For snapper, i have found a trevala XXX heavy rod with torium 16 is a perfect combo. Spool it with 80# braid and they are fun to catch that way and easy to feel when they bite. For kings i have found that a saragosa 10k on a FTU black magic spinning rod will work great for those. Again Spool with 80# braid. The Halco Max 130 in blue and silver will catch kings as good or better than any other lure. I can fish the first color change usually a couple miles from the beach with the halcos and limit on kings in around 30 minutes.

Dont really need a lever drag reel for what you are doing nearshore. Now, if you start venturing to the shelft and trolling for marlin/tuna/dolphin/wahoo, i would suggest going with Tiagra or penn international.

 

In my very limited and just starting in the offshore game experience, a Squall 60 is a LARGE reel. It is likely overkill for most things we fish for. Went on a charter up in NC and the majority of the reels on board were shimano Tyrnos 20s. Two 30s, and a 50 or 80 Tiagra.

A 15 or 20 size squall or TLD would probably do just fine. Maybe a 30?

I got my TLD15 with a rod from Neuse Sport Shop. Good price, and quick shipping. I don't see it on their website anymore, so maybe a phone call is in order to see if they still offer the combo deal.

https://www.nssnc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TLD15-TTBC701MLB

https://www.nssnc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=022255003001

 

A Shimano TLD 20 or 25 would be perfect for kingfish, snapper, jacks, sharks, mahi, cudas, and smaller AJs. These are proven workhorse reels. Spool it with 30# or 40# mono line and you'll be set. Maybe go with braid if you bottom fishing a lot.

One of these reels with all 80# braid is overkill IMHO especially when you consider the cost & need. The more practical application here would be spooling with all mono.

 

Thanks guys. I can get a TLD 20 for $20 more... I think that's worthwhile. The 25 seems on par with the Squall 60LD in line capacity... therefore I assume similar in size as well. But who knows, weight and capacity are the only dimensions I see published.

 

I got a deal on some squall 40s so that is what I use. Not too big, but they are certainly big enough to hoist up any snapper. I also use some penn fierce II 6000 live liner spinning reels for snapper and kings.

 

Get you hands on them and see (i know... covid world makes it harder). A TLD 20 and TLD 25 are not that much different in size. A 2 speed is nice to have, but you will almost never need a second gear on a kingfish or snapper.

If you are starting off too, I would not be concerned about looking in the used market for a good deal on rods n reels that are in good condition and well maintained. You can always upgrade later when you know exactly what you want or if you fishing habits (or boat) change... i know mine have certainly have.

 

The 60 is WAY WAY WAY overkill. I use a 25N and 40N.

 

I agree with the TLD 20, I have one, and although I don't use it much, it's landed a 57 lb ling.

I also use the Squall 20 level wind for kings when I have inexperienced fishermen on board...

good luck,
Steve

 

I agree with the TLD 20, I have one, and although I don't use it much, it's landed a 57 lb ling.

I also use the Squall 20 level wind for kings when I have inexperienced fishermen on board...

good luck,
Steve

^^^^^ This!! It's almost painful to watch a first timer try to coordinate pump-and-reel with a spinning rig, and without the level wind, all your line will end up on on side of the reel.

 

The only time I ever use low gear on the two speeds, which is rare:

1. Big stubborn Grouper that is just hell bent on getting in the structure (rarely found at 30 miles).
2. AJ that's 50lbs+.

Other than that, it's just a party trick. The squalls and TLDs are hands down the best budget LD reels out there. We have an old TLD that has earned it's money 500 times over and a squall that seems to really like the abuse as well.

 

Id recommend the SQL60LD. Some people might be confusing them with the bigger squals. Its not a big reel and has enough drag to be versatile if you want to troll for some larger pelagics or catch AJs/grouper. I have a couple of them that were given to me after a guest knocked some TLD25s overboard and i prefer them to the TLDs. Roughly the same size.

 

For “ basic “ fishing. TLD 20 . Easy to maintain and rebuild. Shimano warranty - if you destroy one for what ever reason- can’t be beat

 

Told

I own 9 of them...

 

I looked at all the popular reels, shamano, avet, etc, and ended up going with a Penn Fathom LD30 2 Speed

Going on 5 years with this reel, no issue, smooth drag, etc..

https://amzn.to/2Wo9kCd

I have a bunch of other lever drag, Squall 60LD's, and so on, but the 30LD2 is my goto aside from my Penn Slammer 7500's, which are a beast, my best all around setups, from jigging, trolling, bottom drops, sight casting, 50 lbs of drag, and the Dura-Drag system is hard to wear out.

All the others mentioned looked like excellent reels, quality built, but when I put my hands on all of them the Penn 30LD2 and 7500 Slammer, for me just felt better, and seeing that some of my older Penns are 10 plus years old without any issues, I couldn't really find a reason to switch. Especially in spinning reel, I couldn't find any others that could be the specs on the 7500

Relentless

 

I have a penn fathom also and is a great reel! I also have a squall 50ld and a 113hlw which are about the same size. they both are well built reels and are my loaners when I take friends fishing. as for spinners I run the spinfisher VI 6500 reels, they wont break the bank and are ipx5 water sealed.

 

Tld 20

I have two TLD 20s and they are nearly 30 years old. Still in use. I did catch a 80 pound wahoo on one. Can't recommend these reels enough.

 

check out the penn fathom. Depending on what model you get you might be right at $200. Check Amazon, I got a fathom 40 for $220. They are the best reel I've ever had for the money. They're also 2speed which you will greatly appreciate.

 

I haven't found much in the Gulf that a TLD 15 wouldn't catch.

 

One thing to consider when it comes to 2 speed reels - young people, especially young ladies, and kids can more easily handle larger fish when you have a lower gear ratio. I loaned my Avet MXL 6/4 on a hopper rod to one of the guys that brought his daughter along. She was much happier with that than with her dad's Shimano (6.1:1) rig.

good luck,
Steve