trolling reel help

[blackhorn]

I am looking at getting four trolling reels for salmon/steelhead and was looking for some input on a good quality reel that won't break the bank.  Looking to spend aroung 100-150 a reel.  Thanks in advance!

[Button Nubbs]

If they're strictly for trolling I'd say abu garcia.

[Ripper]

   I agree

[johnnyaustin44]

We run shimano tr 200s which are just like charter specials with different drag adjustment. love em. Abu Garcia makes a big game real that's sweet as well it is around 100 bucks

[singleshot12]

I highly reconmend The SaltStriker from Cabelas, I have two and for the price you can't beat them. And very good quality.

[FC]

Shimano TR's are good, Okuma Convectors are amazingly good for the price and I have nothing but bad to say about the Penn GT2 series.

[sirmissalot]

I'd recomend the Shimano Tekota, hands down my favorite levelwind reel. I run Tekota 500LC's, which have line counters, this helps a lot for setting out your spread and its also neat to be able to watch a big king make a 400ft run. Not sure what kind of trolling you are planning on doing, you may be able to get by with a 300, I just like the line capacity of the 500 since I pretty much strictly fish the salt. I've caught everything on these reels from blackmouth to tuna and halibut, only had one issue and it was only a $20 broken bail. You can find these reels brand new on Ebay for easily under the $150 mark, especially without the line counter, thats where I have bought probably the last 5 or so.

My next recommendation would be an Avet SX, last year I almost switched all my setups to Avets but I just couldn't pull the trigger on it after feeling the Tekota in my hand again. The Avet SX is a great all around reel but is a lever drag and no level wind, which is exactly what we look for in tuna gear, this reel puts the hurt on everything as well, and is pretty much bullet proof along with made in america and a great company to stand behind it. Check out thelongfin.com if you want to take a look at Avets

[Dhoey07]

Penn 320gt, for 80 bucks you will have a real that is more than you will ever need

[hillbillyhunting]

Penn 320gt, for 80 bucks you will have a real that is more than you will ever need

I am also a fan of Penn for trolling.  You can even find old ones at garage sales that work great.  Bulletproof and very functional.

[fishinmike]

I have Penn 310GT's on all 6 of my trolling rods. Never had a problem with any Penn reel I have owned.

[NRA4LIFE]

I also run Penn 320's.  Good solid reel. 

[jeepster]

i use penn 209s for boat reels...  2 of them are at least 50 years old... ive of course replaced the drag system, but, they have never let me down. i use penn longbeach 60s for jigging/bottom fishing. i have something like 14 penn reels, i love em

penn reels are made to last and are bulletproof

my mooching rods are shimano convergenes (10 1/2 footer) with an abu garcia 6500s... but diawa m-one plus, and shimano moocher gt are fun reels too

[FC]

Penn 320gt, for 80 bucks you will have a real that is more than you will ever need

Interesting, I know that Cap Silver and I both had 320GT2's that puked on us in short order, both of us lost the spool tensioning button after it repeatedly came loose and fell off. I fried the drag in mine in a single bottomfishing trip out of Westport!

[klickman]

Shimano Tekota's.  Hands down the smoothest level-wind out there.  I use them, in various sizes, for salmon, rockfish, lings, and halibut.  Sweet reels you won't be disappointed. 

KLICKMAN

[Bone_Collector]

Are you wanting to control your depth while your trolling because I would say the Shimano line counter reels they are the best! I run them for salmon on the Columbia, Clearwater, and Snake rivers for Chinook! I run the older 500's and they are still holding up cabelas has them for about $180 a piece but if you shop around you might be able to find them cheaper! Good Luck!

B_C