Description
The TLD 25
A bit like a high-speed donkey with a dogleg gearbox.
I say donkey, because this design is three decades-long in the tooth, and still a favourite workhorse on most boats around the globe. And donkey, because the anti-reverse mechanism is ancient and horribly inadequate for head-down fish.
It goes something like this…
“After an hour, the fish just goes straight down. It’s a 60kg tuna. Headbeats are about 30cm across. As you lift that precious few inches, and drop your rod to retrieve them, the anti-reverse just can’t catch those finicky last few inches and the fish wins them back against all your efforts. Over and over.”
You see, newer lever drags, have infinite anti-reverse, and this makes for a world of difference. Those few inches gained by the anti-reverse of the new reels – compounded on top of each other, will get that fish up.
The TLD 25 can make it twice as tough.
Good things
That above is the single drawback of this 30-year-old plus design. These are the good things:
1. adequate retrieve of 3.5:1 on a large diameter spool means you can still crank when you have to
2. extraordinarily tough and scratch-resistant
3. very easy to maintain (rinse and spray every day)
4. fairly easy to open and service
5. light and wieldy
6. versatile applications do include bottom fishing
7. incredibly smooth drag and preset strike settings with lever drag clutch operation
8. large capacity with modern-day thin lines and braids
9. with enough skill, rod and weight you can even cast these things
10. simple single-speed operation (having the 2-speed option is more often just a distraction and takes servicing difficulty right up a few notches)
Applications
Long fast skinny fish like wahoo and king mackerel are the perfect quarry for a loaded TLD 25. These fish often double back on you and the fast retrieve really counts. Keep that spool nice and full. There are certainly faster reels these days but the magic ratio for these conditions and fish is about 3.5:1 on the gears (not quite Fubanachi but close enough). And a 5/0 spool.
Sailfish are very easily overpowered with a TLD 25, in fact, it’s overkill.
The problems start with marlin. And those gas bottle tunas in the same size range. Although the reel won’t fail, you can definitely feel like you are on the losing side from the get-go. There just doesn’t seem to be enough overall power for the package. To do these big jobs.
Recommended
Highly. Actually, this reel scores a near-perfect 9/10. And should be found on the tiniest skiff to the tallest tower.
If you would like to put some workhorse TLD 25s on your boat, get in touch with Sean on +27793269671 or umzimkulu@gmail.com. For ALL your fishing and tackle requirements. We will kit you out for wherever you are going. And you won’t believe the prices.
If you would like to get out there big-game fishing, check out our various package destinations right HERE. If you have your own ideas as to where and when you’d like to go and catch fish, we can arrange that in both SA and Moz. And check out MYDO Fishing Lures right HERE.
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