Time to upgrade? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

2-Stix · 05-15-2016, 10:42 AM

I was recently looking into upgrading some rods and reals. I was 100% sold on the Shimano brand having and loving my Corado 300. I just had to choose a trim level. Trinidad or Torium, and then realized the lever drag is a better option for trolling big baits. So I quickly went to work on locating a Talica or TLD.

I went to 3 shops and being on a kayak 90% of the time, the TLD was less money and easier to beat up and take a beating since its carbon fiber body. I had to clean out the Corado once and it took 3 hours to get all the sand out, lube it, etc...I know the Avets are a lot easier to work on but I was not considering one yet.

So I moved to the Avets because the cost was a little better, USA made, So. Cal local, easy parts to ordering online, but the main reason was they are very very easy to work on, and I can account for that now. I got a sx5.3 mc, mxl 6/4 raptor and jx 6.0 mc. The raptor has 31# at lock down and is dual speed, 21# at strike. I am extrealy happy with it. But, they all are lever drags. Hope this helps Bob.

CR Yaker · 05-15-2016, 11:09 AM

That makes 2 on the Avets. Nice tutorials online for ripping apart and cleaning/lube. I do it once a year, but really once you lube it correct the first time it can last longer. If you want to be setting your drag at 25lbs. I would go for a raptor with 38lbs of max drag, set the LEVER strike for 25lbs and your good to go. Obviously it's better not to max a reel out on the drag. The raptors are light and small footprint. I use a JX 6:3 raptor, weight 24oz. That MX would work also, a little lighter at 21oz.

Where's paradise going to be, Bob??

makobob · 05-16-2016, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CR Yaker

That makes 2 on the Avets. Nice tutorials online for ripping apart and cleaning/lube. I do it once a year, but really once you lube it correct the first time it can last longer. If you want to be setting your drag at 25lbs. I would go for a raptor with 38lbs of max drag, set the LEVER strike for 25lbs and your good to go. Obviously it's better not to max a reel out on the drag. The raptors are light and small footprint. I use a JX 6:3 raptor, weight 24oz. That MX would work also, a little lighter at 21oz.

Where's paradise going to be, Bob??

Mark, my paradise is just north of Gonzaga Bay BAJA

PescadorPete · 05-16-2016, 11:41 AM

If you want to go old school, the old ProGear 251 is about the same size as the Calcutta. Guts are Jigmaster so parts will be available forever. I replaced the stock 5:1 gears with Jigmaster 4:1. I think the Jigmaster 506HS 5:1 gears also fit. Replace the stock drags with a Jigmaster HT-100 drag stack. No anti-reverse bearing which always seems to fail in my Calcutta. It also has a spring loaded dog which is more reliable than the ambassador style in the 400.

If you want to drop some serious coin, the Penn TRQ-15 is also about the same size. The Fathom 15 is a less expensive alternative. They are 6:1 which is not the best for cranking power. You can change the TRQ-15 to 4.8:1 gears but that will set you back another $50. There are aftermarket lower speed gears for the Fathom.

I'm really surprised how long my 400 has lasted, given the number of times is has been underwater

.

SDROB · 05-15-2016, 11:18 AM

I have a Torium 30 and a 20 and love them both. Ive beat the hell out of my Torium 30 in Bay of La and San Quintin w some big Yellows.

After all the abuse of the past few years its ready for a service. Im gonna take it to Squidco this weekend, when I get it back if you want to borrow it for a while to test it out Bob you can. It is the older model thou.

Another option too that I have been considering is a Penn Fathom. I haven't tried one yet but have heard good things.

Also if you want to sell your calcutta's I want to be first in line to buy them. I really like the way they cast and have been wanting to pick up a few for shore fishing and lighter inshore stuff.

monstahfish · 05-15-2016, 12:12 PM

Hi Bob,
Check out the truth sg. Made in the carolinas and puts out 25 pounds of drag at a decent price. I like mine and always have an iron pinned on around here. Also, it's more expensive but I have a saltiga 40 2 speed that is a beast that I use for vertical jigging and has held up to some rough conditions. I would think going to the smaller size and single speed would have been best considering I do all my fishing out of a kayak and anything big is gonna drag me around so I don't need the line capacity. I would go with the SALD20HS if you want to spend the money.

05-15-2016, 10:42 AM	#1
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	I was recently looking into upgrading some rods and reals. I was 100% sold on the Shimano brand having and loving my Corado 300. I just had to choose a trim level. Trinidad or Torium, and then realized the lever drag is a better option for trolling big baits. So I quickly went to work on locating a Talica or TLD. I went to 3 shops and being on a kayak 90% of the time, the TLD was less money and easier to beat up and take a beating since its carbon fiber body. I had to clean out the Corado once and it took 3 hours to get all the sand out, lube it, etc...I know the Avets are a lot easier to work on but I was not considering one yet. So I moved to the Avets because the cost was a little better, USA made, So. Cal local, easy parts to ordering online, but the main reason was they are very very easy to work on, and I can account for that now. I got a sx5.3 mc, mxl 6/4 raptor and jx 6.0 mc. The raptor has 31# at lock down and is dual speed, 21# at strike. I am extrealy happy with it. But, they all are lever drags. Hope this helps Bob. Last edited by 2-Stix; 05-15-2016 at 09:30 PM.

05-15-2016, 11:09 AM	#2
CR Yaker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Jaco, Costa Rica Posts: 119	That makes 2 on the Avets. Nice tutorials online for ripping apart and cleaning/lube. I do it once a year, but really once you lube it correct the first time it can last longer. If you want to be setting your drag at 25lbs. I would go for a raptor with 38lbs of max drag, set the LEVER strike for 25lbs and your good to go. Obviously it's better not to max a reel out on the drag. The raptors are light and small footprint. I use a JX 6:3 raptor, weight 24oz. That MX would work also, a little lighter at 21oz. Where's paradise going to be, Bob?? __________________ Fishing touring guide service Central Costa Rica. cryaker.com Mark Last edited by CR Yaker; 05-15-2016 at 12:43 PM.

05-15-2016, 11:18 AM	#5
SDROB Malibu Stealth 12 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hollywood, San Diego, Gonzaga Bay Posts: 512	I have a Torium 30 and a 20 and love them both. Ive beat the hell out of my Torium 30 in Bay of La and San Quintin w some big Yellows. After all the abuse of the past few years its ready for a service. Im gonna take it to Squidco this weekend, when I get it back if you want to borrow it for a while to test it out Bob you can. It is the older model thou. Another option too that I have been considering is a Penn Fathom. I haven't tried one yet but have heard good things. Also if you want to sell your calcutta's I want to be first in line to buy them. I really like the way they cast and have been wanting to pick up a few for shore fishing and lighter inshore stuff. __________________ She will keep you warm in the winter and give you shade in the summer (Rossman) I'm telling ya, you have to keep these suckers on a game clip until just before you drop them in the frying pan.(Rossman) Last edited by SDROB; 05-16-2016 at 08:38 AM.

05-16-2016, 11:41 AM	#4
PescadorPete Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 261	If you want to go old school, the old ProGear 251 is about the same size as the Calcutta. Guts are Jigmaster so parts will be available forever. I replaced the stock 5:1 gears with Jigmaster 4:1. I think the Jigmaster 506HS 5:1 gears also fit. Replace the stock drags with a Jigmaster HT-100 drag stack. No anti-reverse bearing which always seems to fail in my Calcutta. It also has a spring loaded dog which is more reliable than the ambassador style in the 400. If you want to drop some serious coin, the Penn TRQ-15 is also about the same size. The Fathom 15 is a less expensive alternative. They are 6:1 which is not the best for cranking power. You can change the TRQ-15 to 4.8:1 gears but that will set you back another $50. There are aftermarket lower speed gears for the Fathom. I'm really surprised how long my 400 has lasted, given the number of times is has been underwater .

05-15-2016, 12:12 PM	#6
monstahfish Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 423	Hi Bob, Check out the truth sg. Made in the carolinas and puts out 25 pounds of drag at a decent price. I like mine and always have an iron pinned on around here. Also, it's more expensive but I have a saltiga 40 2 speed that is a beast that I use for vertical jigging and has held up to some rough conditions. I would think going to the smaller size and single speed would have been best considering I do all my fishing out of a kayak and anything big is gonna drag me around so I don't need the line capacity. I would go with the SALD20HS if you want to spend the money.