Has anyone used a Fin-Nor Offshore OFS95 against tuna? it has some good specs but i would like to know from someone who has pitted it against a tuna to see how it actually held up...i am looking to add a spinning outfit and am looking for a good one i just dont have the money to buy a Van Stahl or anything like that. some of the others i am looking at are the Shimano Thunnis and the Penn 950SSM. what do you guys think? i know there are a lot of mods out there for the 950SSM but was wondering if anyone knows about MODs for the Fin-Nor or the Thunnis....

Grizz

Capt Eddie in Venice uses the Shimano Spheros 14000FA for Tuna and AJ's and I have used them as well. A buddy landed a 50 YFT with one of my Spheros rigs on the 30 Hour trip we did last month on the Big E. For around $140 bucks it's one of the best for the money.

You can get the up graded Carbontex drag washers from http://www.SmoothDrag.com

Look at the review about the Fin-Nor OFS95 Main Drive Gears on http://www.360Tuna.com .. it appears they have a bug to fix. There are pictures that don't need any explaination.

The Penn 950SSM is a decent reel but will require maintenance to keep it in the game if you get into large YFT.

Bazz

ask Galv1602 what happens to Penns... hehe... Capt Eddie had a thunnus break apart at the stem... he recommended the Spheros to me... he doesnt upgrade the drags, that was my doing. I pulled the stock washers to Dawn at smoooth drag and she matched them up best she could. works like a champ! it gives the spheros more available drag that you would want to fish with.. so the amount of drag we target is sustainable for long periods of time... 20# of drag an on OTI spinng rod will put a hurting on you in an hours time.... LOL!!! I have yet to encounter the long, drawn out battle that Bazztex had..... Not looking forward to it.. I like to palm the reel if I think I can turn the head of the tuna without popping the line....

Hey dude, stay away from the Fin-NOR. I looked for a long time,
and can say the breakage issue is not what steered me away from the Fin-Nor, it's the weight! as in tonnage!
I recently hopped up Bristow's 9500ssm. all a new one needs is a replacement solid brass main gear the O.E is pot-metal.(breaks)
the 950 ssm is nothing like the 9500ss; it's much better as far as drag. (go to bps/cabela's and pull the spool, you'll understand)the 9500ss mods cannot be done on a ssm.
excellent reel for the $$, but I went with the Quantum Cabo PTS80. I've drag tested it to 45# & that's as high as my scale goes. still had 1/3 turn left. steel innards & a long, solid stainless handle for $165 shipped new on ebay.
http://www.ohyasales.com. I have yet to test it, but I think it'll do the job. Guy from Spain reported a 187# YFT on it over on
http://www.deepjigging.com.
Other than that, I watched Bristow slay a 75#'er in 10 minutes on the Thunnus w/ c-tex drags.
only advice: ck 'em all out, then make your own descision.
anyof these 3 reels will do the job for a lot less $$
tight lines
-Brian

i needs to check out your Cabo LiteLiner... that sounds like a good replacement for a "Stella 20000" for this po boy! mounted up on a 7.5' OTI 80# spinner.....

thanks Guys...guess i have to dig a little deeper now...

Well, that's what I was hoping, but I haven't even put line on it yet except about 30 yds to do the drag tests.
It "appears" it'll hold it's own against the stella, but just
like anything else, I need to get off theory & start some real-world tests(fish) before I approve or condemn it.
shoot, for 165 bucks, this may be the diamond in the rough we're looking for. I've heard lots of good things and virtually
no bad things about this reel(except one guy in Fla. that
blew out the anti reverse)
BTW, it's just as pretty as a stella, too

Brian, where did you see the Quantum Cabo PTS80 at 165?

click on that link: http://www.ohyasales.com- nevermind, link don't work!
or go to ebay & do a search regarding that seller.
He's in OKC.
go to ebay & ck this item#: 160104133749
a little more $$, and not the same guy, but hey, beats list $209
-Brian

k thanks

Brian
did you do any upgrades to your Cabo? seems i have bought one in my weakness.

Nope. as far as I can see, it wont need any.
Let me re-state; I have not fished w/ this reel yet
but I honestly beleive it's up to the task. all the
upgades that I would do to, say, A Penn or shimano
is not necessary. did I mention this reel has made 45#drag for me on static testing?
Actually, I'm sending the spool to charkbait today for
150y of Izor 65# solid, then TJ's getting some of my $$
for that colored, count-down spectra to top off the spool @ 300y
actually, I'll probably have to upgrade to a 400g rod just to
match up the combo, the 300g rod I have it on now tops out @ about 20-22#'s drag

i am actually going to see TJ this afternoon at 4:30 to look at his OTI rods...can you say more money coming out of my pocket!

It's just a couple bills off the Gangsta roll for you TxGrizzly!!

foo shizel...

well i bought the Quantum Cabo PTS80. i am getting ready to put 65lb power pro on it with a topper of Flouro...hopefully going to get and OTI rod for it just need to talk to TJ and go see one.

hey there. i would like to get more information about theese problems with fin-nor of95 main drive gears. heard this bug just appears at reels with certain serial numbers, so this is not a general prob..

i just bought a couple of them..

thx for help, greets
HVTZ

I am wondering if the 75ofs can have a new main gear placed in it to make someone feel better.
It only weighs in at 2 ounces more than the cabo 80 and has more line capacity. I might buy one of these and find out...

Check out the Daiwa Saltiga. We have much good luck with them offshore. Handles heavy superbraids real well and has a darn solid drivetrain. Super great reel for offshore popping. It's a bit heavy but real solidly made.