Best Conventional Reels for Salmon Trolling and Ocean Jigging

The Truth reels bear a strong resemblance to Accurate reels.  Do they come in lefty?  I'm right-handed, but switched to lefty lever drags last year as I got tired of switching the ro from r to l hand to reel.  Will look 'em up on Charkbait.

  Had a fishing buddy who has a Coldwater and got his index finger crushed when he got it pinched up in the level wind with a big hali on the other end....he is now a convert to non-level wind reels.

The Truth reels bear a strong resemblance to Accurate reels.  Do they come in lefty?  I'm right-handed, but switched to lefty lever drags last year as I got tired of switching the ro from r to l hand to reel.  Will look 'em up on Charkbait.

  Had a fishing buddy who has a Coldwater and got his index finger crushed when he got it pinched up in the level wind with a big hali on the other end....he is now a convert to non-level wind reels.

They do come in lefty models.

I've been pinched/ripped open by level wind reels as well hence my liability comment. Hung the bottom with 40# braid on an Abu Record. Palmed the spool while pulling. The drag slipped and ripped a big gash on my ring finger. Should probably. Have gone for stitches, but I taped it up and fished the rest of the weekend instead [emoji12] I can only imagine being at the mercy of a halibut!!

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They come in lefty. ;-)  I'm right handed but prefer my reels have left hand retrieve.  BUT, I don't recommend their "ergonomic" handle, just go with the traditional versions.

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We sold the place in Coos Bay.

Glad - you found a buyer. Sad - no more be-bopping down the road for a nightcap after CBYs SBAOTD party.

Guess We'll have to do the campfire thing at one of the campgrounds. 

Those Truth reels are nice, but I'm not going to spend $400 on one unless I win a lottery. I went with Penn... best bang for the buck I think. I'll find out for sure this next season. I'm keeping my old conventional for now. New levelwind & spinner.

Those Truth reels are nice, but I'm not going to spend $400 on one unless I win a lottery. I went with Penn... best bang for the buck I think. I'll find out for sure this next season. I'm keeping my old conventional for now. New levelwind & spinner.

$400? We all use the SG Paul. $250

I do really like the Penn Battle spinning reels!! I've got a gen one that's my go to for 1-2oz jigs offshore, coho and pinks in the sound, and now steelhead as of Wed. Solid little reel with a great drag!



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The closest comparable Penn reel is the fathom lever drag.  Its a nice reel too, but only $50 cheaper.  I don't think the Penn has the same level of warranty backing.  There is something to be said for saving a buck, but I won't hesitate to pick up another SG for my quiver. 

The Penn fathom level wind is a great reel too imo. 

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Yup, looked it up - 1 year vs lifetime warranty

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I could see myself spending $250 for a reel w/ a lifetime warranty. Based on advice from you's guys, the SG will probably be my pick when I get a new conventional. http://www.truthreels.com/pages/sg
Beautiful fish btw. Looks like the perfect spot for steelhead. One of the other things I like about the Battle is its simplicity. Less stuff to break.

$400? We all use the SG Paul. $250

I do really like the Penn Battle spinning reels!! I've got a gen one that's my go to for 1-2oz jigs offshore, coho and pinks in the sound, and now steelhead as of Wed. Solid little reel with a great drag!



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More votes for the Battle spinner and the Fathom lever drag when fitting inro thw budget. Battle also works great as a surf reel, the Fathom I picked up for albacore but didn't use,  can also double as my HD bottom rig.

I do a lot of jigging and a lot of salmon trolling. I use an Avet sx for jigging and an Abu c3 for salmon. They are both great and affordable, but I plan on getting something with a line counter next time.

I do a lot of jigging and a lot of salmon trolling. I use an Avet sx for jigging and an Abu c3 for salmon. They are both great and affordable, but I plan on getting something with a line counter next time.

I've got an Abu c3. I like it, but don't use it much in the ocean, which is where I usually fish.

Polyangler, what size Battle is that? 3k? I like my ancient Penn spinning reel, but wish it had a carbon drag.

Polyangler, what size Battle is that? 3k? I like my ancient Penn spinning reel, but wish it had a carbon drag.

4k

I like my ancient Penn spinning reel, but wish it had a carbon drag.

You could probably make that happen -- look here:  http://www.smoothdrag.com/price.html  or call them, tell them what reel you have and they probably have carbontex drag washer set for you.

I'm thinking about getting a new spinning reel this year. Thanks for all the suggestions.