Pairing: Tica UGSA90M2S rod with Daiwa SS Tournament Reel

[Cody69]

I'm new to this forum and saltwater fishing. I currently own a TICA UGSA90M2S surf rod.  I'm thinking about pairing it with a Daiwa SS1600 or SS2600 Tournament reel.  Any thoughts?

[TimS]

Welcome. Quick question - what do you plan on fishing with this rod/reel? 

[BigBunny]

I have that rod paired with a Penn Spinfisher V 5500 which has just a bit more line capacity and weight than the SS2600. My outfit is pretty well balanced, so I would go with the larger reel.

[Cody69]

Welcome. Quick question - what do you plan on fishing with this rod/reel? 

I plan on using it to fish from the shore on the Chesapeake Bay.  Stripers, Flounder, Sea Trout, etc.

[Cody69]

I have that rod paired with a Penn Spinfisher V 5500 which has just a bit more line capacity and weight than the SS2600. My outfit is pretty well balanced, so I would go with the larger reel.

Thanks for the response.  That's interesting.  I attached my friend's Penn Pursuit II 5000 on the Tica UGSA90M2S just for a reference.  The PURII5000 barely fit in the reel seat and overall felt heavy on the Medium action Tica.  The Penn PURII5000 is smaller than the Spinfisher V5500.

[TimS]

I plan on using it to fish from the shore on the Chesapeake Bay.  Stripers, Flounder, Sea Trout, etc.

I was thinking more in terms of what line - you can get away with a much smaller reel if you are planning on using very thin braid. You'll need a larger reel for heavier braid...and an even larger reel for mono.

[Cody69]

I was thinking more in terms of what line - you can get away with a much smaller reel if you are planning on using very thin braid. You'll need a larger reel for heavier braid...and an even larger reel for mono.

Thanks for the clarification.  I was planning on using 20-30 lb braid.  Either Daiwa J-Braid or Berkley Fireline.

[TimS]

20# J-braid you can get away with the smaller reel - 20 or 30# Fireline you'll need the large reel. 30# Fireline breaks around 70#...I'd recommend 14# Fireline over 20 or 30# for anything but the heaviest tackle and nastiest, rocky locations.

 

 

Figure out which reel you'll be able to spool about 300yds of whatever line you plan on using - let that be a good starting point.

[Cody69]

20# J-braid you can get away with the smaller reel - 20 or 30# Fireline you'll need the large reel. 30# Fireline breaks around 70#...I'd recommend 14# Fireline over 20 or 30# for anything but the heaviest tackle and nastiest, rocky locations.

 

 

Figure out which reel you'll be able to spool about 300yds of whatever line you plan on using - let that be a good starting point.

 

TimS,

 

Thanks for the advice.  I didn't realize that Fireline was so strong.  I'm now having reservations about the Daiwa SS which I've read is a good reel. I just saw a description of the new Daiwa BG Spinning Reel.  I think I may get the Daiwa BG4000 instead.

 

Cody

[oldgoat]

I HAD A SS2600 with 12lb mono on it and 30ft of shocker in order to handle big fish up close.

Bearings only lasted two years tops, other than that, great reel

[Artie Fishil]

I have 3 of the SS2600 reels, the ones that were made in Japan. I fish 30# braid, usually sufix 832, 150 yards with 20 lb mono backing. I've had these reels for approx. 20 years. Usually use them for fishing the back or fluking out front. I have never had a single mechanical issue with any of those reels. I have landed bass over 20 lbs., weak fish over 16 lbs and double digit blue fish as well as a cow nosed ray that exceeded 30 lbs. IMO best reel for under $100 ever made.

[redfin]

I have never been a big fan of the ss2600. It's a light duty reel IMO to be mounted on a surf stick.  The 1600 is a small freshwater or UL reel. For what you are going to use that rod for, check out the Quantum Boca in size 50. As promising as the BG SW looks, I'd give that reel more time before taking the plunge. I have been using a pair of Boca 50's for several seasons and I am really impressed at how well they have held up. The Penn Conflict and Battle 2 are both solid reels for the money currently. The 3 spinning reels I mentioned are where it's at for me these days. They are all between $100 and $150 and short of cranking them underwater, they will do everything on the striper coast from the beach and jetties.

 

Regarding Fireline, if we are talking about the original, I'd pass that up and go for either Power Pro slick or Spiderwire Stealth in 20 lb test. Not to contradict TimS but I fished FL original in 14,20,and 30 for a decade at least and never did I feel or witness the extreme breaking strengths that some sol'ers have claimed. It was a good line in it's day and it kept old school reels in the game a lot longer because of the way it handled on these old reels. Very few problems in the line department with that line. Simply put there are better line choices today IMO and if your not buying an old school reel why go that route.

 

Welcome to the forum and best of luck with your fishing.

[Noodles]

Since when is a 12oz reel that holds 210yds of 10lb mono that puts out around 16lbs drag considered an ultralight reel? A 1600 SS is about the same size as a 3000 daiwa or 4000 Shimano.

[redfin]

Since when is a 12oz reel that holds 210yds of 10lb mono that puts out around 16lbs drag considered an ultralight reel? A 1600 SS is about the same size as a 3000 daiwa or 4000 Shimano.

I stand corrected calling it a UL. Calling it a L would have been more appropriate.

[Noodles]

The 2600 is roughly the size of a 5000 Penn. A hair less capacity.