The new Daiwa HA\SHA's ?

[Fish ON!]

My current "big rod" is an Ocean Master 8-12oz spinner with a 4500 Baitrunner & 300yds of 30lb Fireline.
I've been thinking real hard about a new Daiwa for the toothy ones. Probably paired with another OM. I'll be casting from shore.
If I can find one the SL-X50 looks pretty sweet:

SL-X50HA 3 CRBB 4.9: 1 36.2oz 20.00 30/350, 40/310, 50/220
SL-X50SHA 3 CRBB 6.1: 1 44.9oz 20.00 30/350, 40/310, 50/220

If I go this route do you think the 6.1 gearing is OK? And is this just too big and cumbersome for other creatures - rockfeesh/drum?
What weight line would you vote for? I'm thinking 350ish of 30 mono is OK for casting? Yes/No? Or would 20lb something be better?

Any opinions or votes for something different are most appreciated.

[trowpa]

Very interested in what you end up doing and how it works out - i'm looking at a very similar set up everything from big striper/drum through casting for sharks - the OM 8-12 , but looking more at the diawa 30 or 40 (I think the 50 is too big)....

Still trying to sort out all the different diawa models... HA, SHA, SHV - can someone enlighten me - what do all the letters mean!??!

My personal opinion is that 30lb mono might be tough to use in the surf for casting as it would require a heck of a lot of weight to hold bottom....I'm planning on sticking to 20lb on the heavy conventional (with 17lb on my spinning setups).

[ben23]

I use 20lb test on my SL-X50HA, and it did not fail me when cast from shore (they can cast far once you get the hang of it!)- i think more line is more important than heavier line sometimes due to stretch. I think the 6:1 gearing is to fast to bring in a very powerful creature. I reccomend going for the 4.9:1, it will give you more torque for those big powerful sandbars!

[Javier]

Not long ago I got a Diawa 11'-0" surf rod EM-ES1102HRS with a Diawa Emcastplus 6000 Spinning reel 4.9:1 with 30lbs test Power Pro line. To be honest with you after yesterday August 8th I have to admit that the rig is worth every penny I paid for it. Thus I had to do some modification to the rod by adding weights to the handle to balance it. Today August 9th I decided to spool it with 65lbs test Power Pro. Lets see if it makes any difference tonight. I'll let you know

[trowpa]

Ben - you think the 50 size is manageable? Do you have big hands?

[ben23]

i have the 50 and the reason I got it was for line capacaty. i am 16 years old, dont have huge hands, and it works fine for me. I think the extra size is needed to ensure that you dont get spooled too easy. I love the reel.

[Coop]

Fishon and Steve, what are you primarily using this reel for? mainly stripers or sharks?,,,if your main intention is for striper/drum fishing and on rare occasions sharks, the 30 or 40 is perfect,,,throwing a 30 all day striper or drum fishing will be far more comfortable than throwing the 50,,,I have the 535gs, a large reel and after a while my thumb (especially when wet) just can't hold the spool when throwing 8 and bait due to the size of the spool in relationship to the distance it sits away from the rod,,the 50 would be far worse and much larger, but like I said, my hands (thumb) is short,,,comfort is an important factor when fishing, trust me,,,if your slinging chunks more than 6 plus hours, go with the smaller one.

Check daiwas site to see the difference between the daiwa reels,,,there really isnt much difference between SHA and SHV, except for bearings and handles,,,I beleive they stopped making the shv.

http://daiwa.com/Reel/saltwater.aspx

[ben23]

heres something that I do- i tape my thumb with waterproof medical tape. This adds to the grip from your thumb to the spool and makes it much easier to cast without making your thumb raw. It enables me to sling the 50 size without much trouble.

[Fish ON!]

Yea Ben, I figured the 6.1 ratio might be a bit stiff with a big fish (wishful thinking here!).

Coop, It would be primarily for sharks. I feel under gunned at the moment.
I'm thinking that it would go well over 400yds with say 20lb Sufix. (not to mention that I'm a bit of a tackle ho!)

Trowpa - "HA, SHA, SHV - can someone enlighten me..." -

The "S" in the model # denotes the higher retrieve ratio - SL-X50HA=4.9 SL-X50SHA=6.1
I believe the SL-X50HV/SHV is the newer version of the trusty old "SLOSH" SL50SH. Same for the 40.
The new SLX-50HA/SHA's are the 2006 models with a redesigned handle and anti corrosion bearings. All in all I think they are all very similar.

Thanks guys, I guess will have to "fondle" some a few more times...

[trowpa]

Fishon - thanks. That clears up the alphabet soup for me!