The right fishing reel for sail cruising

[RaymondR]

This is it. Cheap, effective, infinitely sensitive drag, self lubricated, non corrosion, and the easiest and most practical to store and use on a sailboat.

[KP44]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

… it’s not actually this one. But we’re planning to get the modern version, which looks surprisingly like the traditional one:

I used one of those fishing the Cape Cod Ship Canal when I was in 2nd grade. The Cuban Yoyo is larger and easier to use. But to each, his own.

[KP44]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Ah, but with sugar scoop transoms its not hard to drag a fish aboard...and I can run a spread of 5 rods w no outriggers! [emoji41]

...and have plenty of room for light tackle casting at anchor. I can even fly cast from the foredeck!

I don't think any sailboat is a decent platform for fishing, no matter how many hulls. But we do our best with what we have. If you want a decent fishing boat, use your hard-sided dingy. (Never fish from an inflatable. Everything has sharp fins, chutes, spines, and teeth.)

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by KP44

I don't think any sailboat is a decent platform for fishing, no matter how many hulls. But we do our best with what we have. If you want a decent fishing boat, use your hard-sided dingy. (Never fish from an inflatable. Everything has sharp fins, chutes, spines, and teeth.)

Sailboats are not designed for fishing thus not optimized for that use, but Ive done a lot of fishing off sailing cats...as sailboats go its a pretty good option.

[Hardhead]

I think it's a lot easier to fish from a sailboat with a large spinning reel set-up, rather than a conventional level-wind reel. Very large spinning reels have come a long way in recent years, and I have one with about 45 pounds of drag, and carries about 550 yards of 60 pound braided line. The balance is better, and it's a lot easier to "one hand" a spinning set-up I believe. https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano...ing-reels.html

[Nicholson58]

I use a very old Penn Senator 9/0 with 80# mono and a crappy old heavy boat rod. Rod in rod holder, drag set light, squiddy or cedar plug. Attach a safety line to the rod. You must do at least 6.5 knots. If you are in the Caribbean the Sargassum will drive you mad. Down wind is tough to slow down. You pretty well have to pinch up to slow down. If it’s really big you will have to decide about shortening sail. Use smaller lures to attract smaller fish. Wear and use a harness!

[Maka]

Fishing from a sail boat I prefer a spinning reel. No backlash.
I run a Shimano SW 8000 with Power Pro micro-filament braided line, 60 lb Test, about 250 yds. on a Shakespeare Tiger Ugly Stick. I troll and cast with this setup.
Can easily catch fish over 100 lbs.
I always kill bigger fish before I bring them in the boat. They can do too much damage thrashing around,,,especially sharp toothed ones like Wahoo. If you turn a fish upside down it paralyzes it ( Tonic immobility ).
Sequence is: Reel fish in. With rod in the rod holder as needed. Gaff or net it. Kill it. Bring it on board. Clean and fillet. Eat.
Fishing from a moving Sail boat is a food gathering activity, not a sport. You don't need to be fair, you only need to win.

[PhilC]

Yes. But the 5 1/2” works well in Australasia. Tuna, Spanish mackerel, . Very durable and less likely to hurt you than a big Rapala.
It’s good if boat sails in the 5-6knot range. Boone bird and squid lure combo outperforms it in the 7-8knot range.

[RaymondR]

Be mindful that the fish neither knows nor cares what's on the non bait end of the line. So what might be best is the hand reel for actually catching fish and the biggest chrome-e-est reel for displaying in the rod rack.

[alctel]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Be mindful that the fish neither knows nor cares what's on the non bait end of the line. So what might be best is the hand reel for actually catching fish and the biggest chrome-e-est reel for displaying in the rod rack.

Hand lines are great, but for running lighter tackle you need a reel. (I have both)

[websailr]

There’s a book on Amazon about fishing from a sailboat, and it cautions against a pole a d reel, because there is no fighting chair or other way to strap in. You may lose your gear or worse, fall overboard in a rolly sea. Plus too many obstacles, such as shrouds, David’s, etc. Hand reel is the alternative.

[Puget Dan]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

10 inch hand caster, rope, 100lb mono
Attached to boat with bicycle tube to take the hit
Trolled like that for 30+ years.

I looked on the Internet and can't seem to find where to buy this hand reel. Any Ideas. It is very compact and sailing to Alaska in the Inside Passage next year it would great to have it trolling for dinner.

[Hardhead]

Originally Posted by Puget Dan

I looked on the Internet and can't seem to find where to buy this hand reel. Any Ideas. It is very compact and sailing to Alaska in the Inside Passage next year it would great to have it trolling for dinner.

I believe they are also called "cuban yo-yos" in some places. You might try also searching that name as well-


Just as an example - there are other better quality, heavier duty, ones for your purposes https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/offs...er-cuban-yo-yo

[Hardhead]

Also - this is an article regarding them - https://www.practical-sailor.com/iss...s_11791-1.html

[longjonsilver]

https://wavetrain.net/2013/02/04/fis...e-bait-trolls/