Who Uses Beater Tuna Gear?

[Tinman]

From another thread I see I am not alone in my use of old and/or inexpensive tuna gear. We've had so much talk about expensive rods and reels, so how about a bit of talk about beater gear.

What is the oldest/cheapest/most beat-up gear you use?

I'll start with my list:

Penn 500 Jigmaster 30+ years old, side plates worn smooth
Penn 140 Squidder, ~30 years old, bought from an Ifisher for $15 a couple of years ago
Penn Black 4/0, bought used 30 years ago for $7 (this reel is probably ~45 years old)
Sabre 501C rod, 30+ years old bought for $10 at a garage sale a couple of years ago
Kennedy Fisher jig stick, 30+ years old

I use all this stuff regularly, and it is functions very well. The reels have terrible boat rash, and I've overhauled them so many times I'm not sure what parts are still original.

[Salty Walty]

They don't get used everytime but the do make cameos for some old school

35 year old penn squidder w/ same age custom Magna glass rod
25 year old Penn Long Beach 65 w/ same age Diawa solid glass meatstick

[fyshndad]

Most of my stuff is pretty old beater class as well
I will write down my arsenal list tonight and post it tomorrow

[stream]

Tinman this thread is not fare I cant play and you new it what about my walleye rods 1980 somthing eagle claw with old real I got at a yard sell $10 bucks only one that works when dragging worm harness its got the right feel

you guys beter stop your showing your age

[Jsteel]

Last year caught many tuna on a spinning rod combo from Cabelas -- their Wuppin Stick and Salt Water reel -- $45 total cost for the combo. I admit they may not last forever, and I use nicer stuff for other tuna fishing, but this stuff works for casting to tuna on the slide after a hook-up.

[StickFish]

Lets see 50 feet of cord and swivel and bungee some leader and a clone and your in business - heck with the rod and reel.

However, like any sport you can use whatever will get the job done. You don't need a custom built rifle to go deer hunting - grandpa's Winny 94 from 1894 will work just fine. You don't need a $600 scope - bla, bla, bla on and on.

My point being use what you got and have some fun - heck were taking Barbie and Snoopy rods this year - course they will be in the rocket launchers next to seekers and calstars, with Avets but so we'll still have fun

[Pilar]

The bend is not snoopy's friend.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzziiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggg <<<!!!!!!!!!!>>>>>>

Powwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

[Irish Pennant]

I don't have beater gear and I don't have top of the line gear either. Almost all my reels are Diawa Sealines, some of them are 15-20 years old. Most of my rods are Tiger Sticks. I'm not a rich man so I have to priortize my spending and this year it's a rebuilt 350 Chev for my boat. Before I start to buy Seekers and Avets I'll buy a radar. In the mean time my Tiger Sticks and Sealine reels will just have to do.

[Grizzly II]

Penn Squidder I bought in 1963
Penn Jig Master I bought the same year died last week
Penn 49's (3) Still work but have mostly retired them. Keep for backup.
Will dig around. I know I have some salt water plugs someone can identify. At least some of you old guys.

[Puffin]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

I don't have beater gear and I don't have top of the line gear either. Almost all my reels are Diawa Sealines, some of them are 15-20 years old. Most of my rods are Tiger Sticks. I'm not a rich man so I have to priortize my spending and this year it's a rebuilt 350 Chev for my boat. Before I start to buy Seekers and Avets I'll buy a radar. In the mean time my Tiger Sticks and Sealine reels will just have to do.

Love those Daiwa 50H's. Thats what ya get on my boat.

[SRV240]

i run jigmasters and 113hs and rods i dont know about.i got them from my dad many years ago and they have not broken yet

[tomictime]

beater is a relative term....

I know guys who think Avets are beaters and guys who think Avets are unobtanium......

maybe the OTC should offer a "Yello-Po" trophy..??????

[Rooster1264]

A bunch of 1 year old Avets and last years custom rods.

Sorry guy's....I'm a tackle Ho.

[Headhunter]

I am a boat hoe and will use whatever is bouncing while in the rod holder. It's all good to me.

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Pilar

The bend is not snoopy's friend.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzziiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggg <<<!!!!!!!!!!>>>>>>

Powwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

That is the whole idea - on video. Heck someone has to give tracker and his hammer a run for the money this year. Wait till you see my new line of tuna socks. 45 Years went into getting the scent just right . . .

[HiTekRdNek]

Originally Posted by StickFish

That is the whole idea - on video. Heck someone has to give tracker and his hammer a run for the money this year. Wait till you see my new line of tuna socks. 45 Years went into getting the scent just right . . .

Not sure I want to inquire about this??? But, Maybe I should for the safety of the rest of my crew.

[LQQKASTAR]

I started off with 50H's and a huge cheap garage sale spinning reel, matched to some old salmon/sturgeon poles.
the reels held up, but the poles didnt, but after using one of Hoggemens Avet's I had to get some of thosebut then after that i just put them on ugly sticks.

its a great setup for not too much.

I think as far as a pole goes you cant beat an ugly stick for under $100 and you can get them for about $60

[fish_on]

I use Tekotas, Penn 330's, Cabela's Whuppn' Sticks, and Tiger rods. Pretty low end compared to most of the gear around here, but it works great.

[retaliate]

Okuma Catalina 45d levelwinds linecounters on 7' Uglysticks, & 9' 4"(cut down from 10 1/2') chepo Cabelas Salmon dipsydiver Rod's, & Penn 6500ss on a 7' Bi Mart chepo for my spincasting needs is the Best/Beaters I have.

[Richter]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

I don't have beater gear and I don't have top of the line gear either. Almost all my reels are Diawa Sealines, some of them are 15-20 years old. Most of my rods are Tiger Sticks. I'm not a rich man so I have to priortize my spending and this year it's a rebuilt 350 Chev for my boat. Before I start to buy Seekers and Avets I'll buy a radar. In the mean time my Tiger Sticks and Sealine reels will just have to do.

I don't call my gear beater gear because it is well maintained and gets the job done. However, it is inexpensive. Daiwa 50's & Ugly Sticks work for me.

[onaga]

My Definition"Beater Gear": Gets beat on things until it breaks or until it should have broken. Notable gear that has survived my abuse, sealine 50h (25 years old), peascadoro rods. I buy cheap gear and break it, I buy expensive gear and break it. It's all beater gear in my boat. Go hard or go home.... Broke new, never been off the reel 65# braid on a cedar plug way back last year....things that make you go hummmm.

[okie man]

just take rooster fishing with you, he has enough "beater gear" for the whole fleet!why buy and abuse your own stuff when you can abuse his.

[reelselfish]

just plain cheap..... 6 tica sp558 seaspirit reels for tuna, and all pescaro rods. all on sale all cheap all the same all level wind all have caught fish;... none have broke(reels) one broken rod life time warranty just exchange it. 2 blue cords with divers.. just plain fun for all!!!!!! just want to get started again...

[Paddler]

Not beater gear, but maybe cheaper in the long run. Lami rods and 6/0 Senators spooled with mono. Paid $90 per for the rods, and $120 for the reels. Should last my carreer, and give me a chance if Mr. Big bites me.

[Bait O' Eggs]

My definition of a cheap reel is anything that isnt a machined body then anodized.

I fish all cheap reels, and rods.