SUBJECT: # 35183: Penn 330 GTi for offshore trolling?

Submitted by John D from NEW JERSEY on 6/20/01 10:19:00 PM

I was wondering if the Penn GTi 330 could be used for offshore trolling with yellowfin? Most of the yellowfin would be under 80#--could this reel handle it? Is the levelwind a problem? Should I use braid?

Thanks

John D

1. 6/20/01 10:56:00 PM Submitted by Alll kinds of bait (12.73.239.70) from ALABAMA says Nope
   The 330 GTI is a great reel but not for trolling for tuna. I am not saying you need to have gold to catch them but if you are on a budget I would go with a penn 114 senator. There is not enough line capacity on a 330 gti for trolling and I do not think the reel could handle the run of a yellowfin.

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2. 6/20/01 10:58:00 PM Submitted by Speck-Tacular (12.73.239.70) from LOUISIANA says payin attention
   I need to pay more attention to what I am doing and stop posting as all kinds of bait from Alabama LOL

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3. 6/21/01 8:06:00 AM Submitted by Don (64.41.32.215) from MARYLAND says lever drag
   I really like having a lever drag for these tuna. We set the drag with a scale to 30% of the line rating and you know your safe. Impossible with a star drag. In my opinion the best lever drag value is a Shimano TLD25 30 or 50. Last week I caught a 80 lb Yellowfin on the TLD50. I'm glad he didn't hit the 25!! An 80lb yellowfin will give you a fit.

   If you use a star drag, don't use a level wind. I've heard of them quitting during battle and that equals a lost fish.

   Good luck, Don

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4. 6/21/01 8:36:00 AM Submitted by John957 (63.209.180.128) from NEW JERSEY says Not enough
   The GTI's are great reels but not up to the speed and power of Tuna. Reels to check out are the Penn 113HLW, 114HLW, 15KG, or the new 15LD. Also look at the Shimano TLD's

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5. 6/21/01 11:01:00 AM Submitted by Buck A. Rew (209.255.109.221) from TEXAS says Wouldn't Recommend
   I wouldn't recommend using the 330 for any fish that is going to make high speed runs. The GTi's are great reels in certain situations, but it's a pretty good bet the level wind is going fail if you hook up with a nice Yellowfin.

   I've seen more than one 330 levelwind seize and cost the angler a nice smoker King or Wahoo.

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6. 6/21/01 11:13:00 AM Submitted by Bill Thomas (32.101.149.13) from FLORIDA says 330 gti
   I use one for trolling, but will replace it when I have extra $$$. The level wind gets out of sync under high loads. If you pump and wind so there is little pressure on the down and wind it does OK. It does OK with little dolphin and Bonita, but a big Cuda is too much. I think a 40+ plus tuna would explode the levelwind and you would end up unscrewing the levelwind bail while you are fighting the fish (this is not fun). You have to take this part off during the fight when the levelwind gears strip and it piles all the line in one spot until the line hits the frame - bad. Buy a 113H for about the same $$.

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7. 6/21/01 11:22:00 AM Submitted by FrankWa (204.28.142.2) from PENNSYLVANIA says I'd pass on the 330gti for Tuna and
   go to the Shimano TLD25 spooled with 40LB test line. Last Fall I boated 10 yellowfins averaging about 80lbs on one trip with my TLD25.(released all but 3). My rod is rated for 30lb to 80lb and combined with the TLD25 this outfit performed just outstandingly.

   You need to match the rod and line with the reel!

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8. 6/21/01 11:38:00 AM Submitted by Jk (138.89.59.65) from MASSACHUSETTS says 450 yds of 40# line what is this enough for ??
   Up to what size tuna could be handled by a Penn Senator that holds 450yds of 40#?

   Thanks

   JK

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9. 6/21/01 11:48:00 AM Submitted by FrankWa (204.28.142.2) from PENNSYLVANIA says JK, it depends on how you are fishing to a certain extent.
   That is, trolling or chunking. Since you have the option of 'chasing down' a really big Tuna if trolling, you could probably handle a 300lb+ fish. But if chunking, 200lbs or so MAY be the limit. There are many variables like the number of people fishing and the type of Tuna, for example.

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10. 6/21/01 11:58:00 AM Submitted by JasonM (216.83.250.57) from ALABAMA says 330 GTIs
    I bought a couple of these reels this spring to use as dedicated bottom fishing reels spooled with 50 lb power pro. I frequently take novices bottom fishing, and I got tired of them screwing up my other reels by not using their God-given level winds (thumbs!)

    I agree I wouldn't go after yellowfin with them, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how they hold up to nice A.J.'s that we have caught "by accident". A.J.'s aren't known for high speed runs, but they put plenty of pressure on the reels and the level winds, and the reels have done fine.

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11. 6/21/01 10:23:00 PM Submitted by Carl The Nature Boy (65.1.84.12) from SOUTH CAROLINA says yft vs penn 6/0
    I've got a penn 6/0 that has killed more yft than you can count. Get the one with the brass spool.

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12. 6/22/01 4:18:00 PM Submitted by malcolm (199.174.144.235) from ALABAMA says senator
    180# on a 6/0 spooled with 50# no problem

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