Lefty reels for Tuna?

[Gus Orviston]

Okay, I can generally fish either way, but with the fight a Tuna puts up I think I would rather have a left handed reel to use on them. Doesn't appear there are many options in left handed reels when you need that type of performance... about the only one I see so far is the Penn 321 and I have always heard good things about it. What else is there, I thought Abu made a Big Game 7001, but I can't find one anywhere.

gus

[Mark Mc]

Gus, most of the Penn Senators come in a left-hand version. Look for a 113h (4/0 special) in left hand. You just have to call around. Try:

Charkbait 1-800-823-4243
web page

Berinson web page

fisherman's landing in SD may have them: web page

and of course the dreaded e-bay

edit: well looky here:
lefty 113h on e bay

[ 07-28-2003, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: Mark Mc ]

[CATCH AND EAT]

Gus, from what we experienced I would say the 321 lefty like I have on my Sturgeon rod would be just fine. Back that up with 80lb tuff line and you are set (addicted) :grin: . Gonna try it in a few weeks out of Dopey Bay on the "past time" August 9th. Going with a bunch of buds for a rod and reel show.

[Gus Orviston]

I see the senators online now....for the few times I will get a shot at Tuna I think I will go with the more economical 321, and use it for sturgeon too.

thanks, gus

HEY, this is number 1000, seems like yesterday I was a pollywog

[ 07-28-2003, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

[Pilar]

Gus, I think the 'economical 321' is a level wind. The penn 4/0 is not. Level winds do not hold water on a salty boat.

[Threemuch]

YOu can easily remove the levelwind from any of the Penn GTI series reels. I have two which I have done that to.

My advice, learn to do it with the right hand retrieve.

Pilar, why no level wind on a salty boat? I agree, but probably not for the same reasons. If line and winder don't match up, and big smoking fish comes, Zing-POW! The Pawl on the level wind is the first part to wear out on any level wind reel, but it's a cheap part and easy to replace. If you are casting, casting distance is greatly diminished. If you are live baiting, more resistance for live bait to pull against. These last two are the reason you won't see them in Southern CA. However, none are my reason.

My reason is safety. If you grab a rod with a smoking tuna on it, that winder is peeling fast. If you stick your finger in the winder, you are in for world of pain. Easy for a rookie to do, and even an experienced fisherman might in the heat of battle. This will crush your finger good.

Level winds for nothing bigger than salmon on my rig.

KB

[puffins crew]

Good input Kurt. My feelings on the matter exactly.

I have hung a finger on a 5500c ABU levelwind while on a river steelhead fishing. The fish went on a smoking run downstream, and while I was attempting to get my footing, my little finger got squashed. :shocked: Not a pretty sight, and I lost the fish too.

Peace, Tom

[Pilar]

Kurt I have 2 issues with level wind. The winder/line mismatch is one for sure. The other one is the exposed worm on the level wind requires an effort to keep it greased and clean.

Good point about the casting distance, though I seldom cast at sea.

The finger pinch is another. The thought of Al pulling until your finger cut through is not a pretty one.

I have a left hand 0/4 Senator and don't like it too well. The right hand reel feels better.

[WP]

WP is accepting all those cast off (pun intended!) levelwinds...I use them and love them. Everything has a down side and all fishing gear (just like boats) are a compromise. I prefer the levelwinds and after 40+ years of fishing them, the only tuime I ever get my fingers in trouble is when winding new line on, you don't want to know how uncoordinated I can be sometimes! I have had two level wind mechanisms fail but no lost fish and no lost digits. Just a different point of view :smile:
WP

[Miss B Haven]

Gus - you just need more practice so you can use either hand!
:blush: :whazzup: [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]