NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
General Forum => Buy, Sell or Swap => Topic started by: Bucktail on August 28, 2012, 11:19:39 PM
-
I was thinking about the tuna trip that's coming up in just under a month and what I would need to bring. Since the captain has banned all braid (with the exception of jigging rods, which must have 100 yard mono topshot) I have been thinking about alternatives.
As it turns out I was able to get a good deal on some offshore combos. I bought three and would have bought more if there were any more available. I'm keeping at least one of these for myself and looking to sell another one of the three right now. Finances will dictate whether or not I sell another one.
Here it is:
Fin-Nor Sportfisher Conventional Combo
Fin-Nor Sportfisher ST30 reel matched to a Fin-Nor heavy duty E-glass rod
Reel specs:- Mono capacity: 460/30 (similar to a 4/0 Penn Senator)
- Gear ratio: 4.1:1
- IPT: 35
- Max Drag: ~32 lbs
- Drag Specs: 10 washer stack
- Drag Material: Carbon Fiber
- Anti-reverse: Double dog
- Frame: One piece aluminum
- Gear materials: Bronze main & SS pinion
Rod Specs:- Material: E-glass
- Line rating: 50-80 lb.
- Action: Med. Hvy
- Guides: Turbo style, aluminum oxide
- Gimble: Nylon with rubber cap
- Grips: EVA foam
[/list]
I have researched these reels and they compare very favorably with the Penn Senator of the same size.
From Tackle Tour: (http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast09reelsfinnor.html)
Sportfisher Conventional: This reel is designed to go head to head with Penn's 113 and 114 conventional reels that are amazingly popular among anglers and aboard party boats because they are so robust, feature proven performance, and are relatively low cost.
The Fin-Nor Sportfisher Conventional is designed with specifications that target their Penn counterparts. With this new reel, Fin-Nor has moved away from their traditional look and feel and given the Sportfisher Conventional a modern design. The reel is made from a strong die-cast aluminum frame with graphite side covers. A solid one-piece stainless steel harness plate is used. To prevent any accidental issues the Sportfisher uses a double pawl and ratchet system for greater security of the anti-reverse. An oversized brass main gear is incorporated into the reel along with a stainless steel pinion. The new Fin-Nor Sportfisher conventional reel comes in size 30 retailing for $119.95 and size 50 for $139.95.
I have also been in contact with a reel repair tech (not from Fin-Nor) who posted a comprehensive breakdown and maintenance tutorial on it's bigger brother, the ST50(below), and asked him if they will do the job. He told me they would. He also added, "The internals are rock solid and they have great drags from the factory...I think it is an awesome reel."
He also advised that he wouldn't fish them with much more than 20 lbs of drag, but I have no plans set them past 18 lbs anyway.
The Sportfisher ST30 reel alone has an MSRP of $119.99. The combo normally sells for $169.99.
Asking $89 for the combo or $99 filled with 40 or 50 lb. Berkley Big Game.
Thanks,
Bob
[youtube=600,390]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmqsE_X7ld8[/youtube]
Click on the pages below to enlarge.
-
SOLD to Big Al. t^
-
Filled with line and ready to roll on the Sea Devil! t^
One for Big Al
One for Reel McCoy
And one for me! clp
-
you are the man t^
-
Filled with line and ready to roll on the Sea Devil! t^
One for Big Al
One for Reel McCoy
And one for me! clp
What Line?..test, brand?
-
40 lb. Berkley Big Game. Thought the combo might be a bit light for a PB tuna trip so I emailed the Sea Devil about it and got this back:
"Better for jigging, a little small
Worth the try."
So, I guess we will see. We always have the 6/0 combos the boat will provide. t^
-
Guess.. I'll bring my 50 t^
-
I'm bringing my 50 and 30 t^
-
40 lb. Berkley Big Game. Thought the combo might be a bit light for a PB tuna trip so I emailed the Sea Devil about it and got this back:
"Better for jigging, a little small
Worth the try."
So, I guess we will see. We always have the 6/0 combos the boat will provide. t^
Puuurrfect false light longfin setup. Please bring it. I'll use it if you dont want to.. ::)
-
I'm going with a 6/0 with 80#. Maybe I'll tuck my 30 in the bag for backup, damn thing gets heavier as the night wears on, but the lever drag is a nice feature.