Grouper

pierfish · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:12 am Post subject: Grouper

Recommended grouper gear & tackle:

4/0 reel spooled with 50lb test mono, with a 6ft heavy action rod. Some people think that it is necessary to use a 30ft leader, I don't thinks so. I use 6 to 8ft of 80 to 100lb test fluorocarbon leader tied to a 7 to 9/0 live bait Owner hook. You may also use a bottom rig which is very effective for still fishing. You may see an example of this on the home page under rigs.

Hope this helps, this forum was requested and I thought I would get it moving Wink

Christian Durham · Pro Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Tampa

How can you tell if a reel is 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, etc.? A lot of ads I see give what pound line is recommended for the reel, but not a classification of 4/0 or similar. Also with the rods, sometimes the ads indicate an action rating, M, MH, H, XH, etc., but sometimes not. The ads almost always give the recommended line strength. Are the line strengths indicated for mono or braid? What are the pros and cons of star drag versus lever drag? Do all conventional reels have a level-wind? Lots of questions, I know. . .

Thanks
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SLEEPY · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:

Lots of good questions, I will see if I can get you an answer..
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Jason

A.K.A (SLEEPY)

pierfish

Hello Christian Durham,

After a while you will just know what size reel is a 3/0, 4/0 etc... Most of the time when we refer to 4/0 etc, we are speaking of the Penn reels. Many other brands will describe there reels with exts such as FH, MX ad so on because there are so many. What normally sets them a part and makes them more expensive is the amount of ball bearing the reel holds.

The more ball bearings the smoother the reel. A good number of ball bearings to have in a reel are 6. I have seen up close to 20, but it really isn't necessary in my opinion. Choosing line for your reel you want to do carefully. If you decide to purchase a conventional reel, such as a 4/0 Penn and you want to spool it with Power Pro then you will easily be able to put 80lbs test on the reel. If it where mono then I would recommend 50lb test. The reason the difference is Power Pro has a very small diameter compared to mono. Another thing to keep in mind, Power Pro isn't cheap and will cost you around $60.00 to fill up as to mono will cost on $7.00 for a spool of 50lb test Ande line. I personally use mono on my reels from 3/0 to 6/0 and Dacron line on my larger reels such as a 9/0 to 12/0.

When choosing a reel you have to consider a lever or star drag. The lever drag was ultimately created for trolling. There is a flaw with the lever drag, you can't lock them down. So if a big grouper is taking you into the rocks and you want to stop him, your chances are slim. The star drags depending on which reel you buy do lock down and I think are better for the pier (My opinion). I don't recommend the level wind reel. The level wind limits your casting abilities and will ultimately fall off after so much use. I actually had one cost me a fish once but I won’t go there. After using a regular conventional reel with no lever wind you will quickly become efficient with it. I hope I answered all your questions, let us know if you have any others Wink

Christian Durham · Pro Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Tampa

Thanks for the info. Why do you choose to spool with mono? I can see mono (or actually fluoro) for the leader, but why not braid for the main line?
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pierfish · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:13 am Post subject:

It is all a matter of preference. I don't like how the braided goes on the spool for the larger reels. It often cuts into itself which can be costly. Also the line is not cheap.

Christian Durham · Pro Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Tampa

What exactly is a level wind? Is it that metal wire contraption that moves back and forth when you reel so as to to make the line lay back on the reel evenly over the width of the spool?
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pierfish · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject:

Yup that is exactly what it is.

Christian Durham · Pro Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Tampa

Well then, the level wind seems to be commonplace on conventional reels. I don't think I've seen one without a level wind. Without the level wind, how does line get reeled on the spool without it bunching up on one side or the other?
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Please teach me, O great fishing gods!
e-mail ---- christiandurham@hotmail.com

INSTEEL · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:19 pm Post subject:

I just got a old shark reel that is not a level wind, so I am guessing that you use your thumb to guide the line back on level.
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pucky · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject:

right... you just guide it back on with your thumb as you reel it in. i just got my first conventional reel a month ago and its pretty natural by now to just guide the line on. it doesnt have to be exactly perfect.... just spread the line around so its not all on top of itself.

INSTEEL · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks

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thebbqguy · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject: Penn level wind 209 or 309 reels

I'm new to saltwater fishing and pier fishing.

I'm looking for an affordable grouper reel and have been seeing these on e-Bay for prices from $20-$60 in nice to mint condition. What are your thoughts on this reel?

Will these reels fit most rods or is that something I should consider before purchasing one of these reels?

Brian
Newbie

pierfish · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 9:40 am Post subject:

Do you mean a conventional reel? What brand and model are you looking at?

thebbqguy · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:30 pm Post subject: Penn 209 and 309

I guess it would help if I put that in the original question wouldn't it.

I've seen many Penn 209 and 309 reels on e-Bay, but don't have any experience with them.