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Arima Forum => Fishing Reports & Tips => Topic started by: GutZ on September 13, 2019, 03:02:00 PM

Title: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: GutZ on September 13, 2019, 03:02:00 PM
I have gotten busy with other things and haven't checked in here in some time.
The Sea Kitten (15'11 Sea Chaser) is moored at Edmonds.
I haven't had any luck with the Coho. Just a few small immature fish. And humpies.

I Love Knucklebusters!

I did pretty well for Chinook. I shot some video with the phone camera just velcroed to the front of the boat. They are unedited and some end abruptly. Sometimes you don't get to see the fish and there maybe some foul language.

for your viewing pleasure -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUhPsX54hgOBx_0DMZd3RA
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Markshoreline on September 13, 2019, 04:00:35 PM
Great to hear from u again GutZ.  The other day I was fishing area 10 and was laughing about your secret troll to 666!  Remember that one?
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: blindmonkey on September 13, 2019, 10:30:03 PM
Nice work with the single action reel. It's the only way to fish!
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: DevMah on October 07, 2019, 06:29:46 AM
Nice videos...
I only use single action reels  for trolling also.


Dev
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: GregE on October 07, 2019, 10:19:35 AM
I only use single action reels  for trolling also.

OK,  why? 
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: GoodDays on October 07, 2019, 10:30:11 AM
Because Its Fun Greg !!!    just ask Mark ...  I think he's healed up enough now to say he enjoyed it ? 

GoodDays Greg
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: DevMah on October 07, 2019, 10:55:01 AM
Quote from: GregE on October 07, 2019, 10:19:35 AM
I only use single action reels  for trolling also.

OK,  why?

They are basic reels to maintain dose not have many moving parts  and IMO  there is a lot more control  to fight the fish as you can palm the reel and let the drag off. I switched from level winds years back never looked back...


Dev

Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: headduck on October 07, 2019, 10:57:04 AM
What's a good entry level reel. Maybe a decent used one to look out for as folks upgrade over the winter?
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Mooch on October 07, 2019, 11:11:58 AM
Shimano Moocher Plus 2000 at 100 bones.  Will last a life time.  4000 is too big, IMO.  Daiwa makes similar models.  Islander reels are beautiful precision CNC machined reels at 4X$.  They will all do a fine job.  I've been using single action reels since early 80's.  They are easy to clean and maintain and they are fun, but they aren't for everyone.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: ohmytodd on October 07, 2019, 12:35:58 PM
What kind of rods do you guys use with these reels?

Spun with mono or braid??

Looks like a fun way to fish, I may pick one of these up to troll with to try out.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: J Chaser on October 07, 2019, 12:47:43 PM
I use the Shimano Convergence 10'6" mooching rod.

I have 2 Islander MR3 reels spooled with 25 pound mono. Some guys also use backing, but I don't.

John
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: DevMah on October 07, 2019, 01:25:43 PM
Quote from: J Chaser on October 07, 2019, 12:47:43 PM
I use the Shimano Convergence 10'6" mooching rod.

I have 2 Islander MR3 reels spooled with 25 pound mono. Some guys also use backing, but I don't.

John

I used the Islander great reels.... however my boat is equipped with HMX 10'6 Mooching rods and Shimano Technium 10"6 mooching rods, they are all equipped with the Admundson trend 5 reels great bang for the buck.

HMX Rod
http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-freshwater-rods-fenwick-hmx/fenwick-hmx-salmon-steelhead-mooching/1415327.html

Shimano Technium Rod
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/132436/shimano-technium-mooching-rod

Reel
http://www.amundson.ca/gfishingreels/12


25 to 30 lb mono no backing spooled on reels.

Dev
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: mustang65fbk on October 07, 2019, 01:30:09 PM
Quote from: GregE on October 07, 2019, 10:19:35 AM
I only use single action reels  for trolling also.

OK,  why?

Agree.  Not my style and the ones that are decent seem to be well over $300 a piece.  Can buy several decent reels for that price.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Mooch on October 07, 2019, 01:42:04 PM
(http://www.arimaowners.com/gallery/10/9416-231217205542.jpeg)

Here's a few "knucklebusters" I assembled for a Xmas card a couple years ago.  Most shown are freshwater float reels for salmon and steelhead; true "knucklebusters" with no drag whatsoever.  The one on the bottom however is a Winona, my very first knucklebuster that my mother-in-law (an expert moocher) gave me in the early eighties.  I've collected few more since then.  The Winona had a unique leather thumb drag and it's learning curve was steep and long, but if you fished one, others always took notice and if a king hit it was game on.  Totally hooked me on SA reels and I've been a junkie ever since.  Winonas don't work so well for trolling tho, so we used Alvey and wooden Peetz reels instead, when and if we ever trolled, which was pretty rare.  Shimano Moochers and Islanders came on the scene later as trolling techniques and tackle improved.  Drag systems on these reels were much better suited for trolling duty.  They were modeled after the wooden Peetz near as I can tell. 

(http://www.arimaowners.com/gallery/10/9416-150118205904-106461628.jpeg)
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: headduck on October 07, 2019, 02:19:16 PM
With the shimano do you still palm drag even though it has drag built in?
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Mooch on October 07, 2019, 02:43:48 PM
I don't, but you can apply additional drag pressure manually with palm or fingers if you want  An example might bd when turning a fish towards net with drag turned way down for close runs.  Otherwise it's very easy to adjust drag at the reel.  One thing to remember, because these reels are so large, they have very large drag washers, which are inherently stronger, smoother and have finer and wider adjustment than most level wind reels.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: DevMah on October 07, 2019, 03:17:05 PM
Quote from: headduck on October 07, 2019, 02:19:16 PM
With the shimano do you still palm drag even though it has drag built in?

Yes

I don't apply the drag on to hard enough that I can palm the reel.

Dev
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: headduck on October 07, 2019, 03:25:30 PM
Thanks for the insight.

A bit about cleaning and optimizing the reel.
https://youtu.be/d7dRvcHomYM
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Jwoo 1800 on October 07, 2019, 04:48:49 PM
Quote from: headduck on October 07, 2019, 02:19:16 PM
With the shimano do you still palm drag even though it has drag built in?

Best setting/technique I've heard is the "drag" setting isn't necessarily meant to be used as the sole drag of the reel. It's more of a tension device to prevent backlash when the fish stops. You palm the reel for true "drag". The shimano has enough drag that you can really crank down too far and almost lock the reel up so you could tighten it up and not ever really need to palm it but that kinda defeats the purpose of using the reel in the first place.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: headduck on October 08, 2019, 06:33:48 AM
I see. Similar to the control on a baitcaster re:backlash...

Sure is a spectical when the reel is running.

Seems like you might be a bit more connected to the fight (more excitement and enjoyment) then with the standard line counter.

Also seems, like everything else one wants to be good at, more than a bit of practice is needed to be proficient.

Have the shimanos been made for a while? Would like to pick up a used if I can.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Jwoo 1800 on October 08, 2019, 11:46:18 AM
The shimanos have been around for a bit and you can find some used ones online but honestly they aren't very expensive new compared to some of the fancy "normal" reels. Not Walmart specials by any means but you can normally find new ones in the $120 range


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: pickles1107 on October 08, 2019, 12:13:24 PM
I bought the Daiwa M-One UTD at Sportco (through Amazon) for $70 bucks new as a cheap foray into mooching reels. 

I now use mine exclusively (100% trolling use).  Its very fun to play salmon on these rods. 
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: pgbrown on October 08, 2019, 04:52:30 PM
It was a couple of years ago when I was in Victoria with the Mrs. on holiday and Rick (Wryguy) (remember him?)was showing me some of his famous Canadian hospitality. Low and behold after a few beverages we ended up at the Peetz shop. Let's just say he was correct, awesome fun reels. Plus the wife likes them too.
https://www.peetzoutdoors.com/
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: headduck on October 09, 2019, 07:23:10 AM
I remember wyrguy...head had the beautiful blue boat that was kept quite dry.

The peetz are pretty. And simple...guess the simplicity is another benefit of these style of reels...although the peetz seem to be a bit more "pure" and a little more $ than the shimano/daiwa which appear to be a decent reels to transition with.

Will certainly keeping eyes peeled over the winter to see if I can come across one.

Thanks for all the insight.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: blindmonkey on October 09, 2019, 08:37:47 PM
Once you have used one and experience the fishing that way you will never look back.  :beerchug:
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Kimbrey on October 10, 2019, 12:08:01 AM
Mooch,
I have a couple Shimano and one Islander that I use.  Back in the day, early 70's the Penn 109 was the Westport charter skipper reel of choice mainly because we could go single action with it and use our thumb as the drag.  Single actions make it more fun I think.  The only drawback I've seen is when trolling deep, 250' or so it's tough to catch up with the fish when it trips the clip and heads for the surface.  Grind like a mad man with the moocher.  The long rod does act like a shock absorber though.

One question.  I remember getting some Canadian customers when I was running charters at Westport in the early 70's that brought Winonas to use.  Seems as if I remember them as a plastic reel or were they all metal?
Kim
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Mooch on October 10, 2019, 07:07:44 AM
Heddon Winonas were stamped steel.  The 105SS and 108SS were made of stainless steel and marketed as saltwater models.   The 105SS did not have full enclosure and seemed to be the most common version used out here as a salmon mooching reel.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Kimbrey on October 10, 2019, 09:41:56 PM
Quote from: Mooch on October 10, 2019, 07:07:44 AM
Heddon Winonas were stamped steel.  The 105SS and 108SS were made of stainless steel and marketed as saltwater models.   The 105SS did not have full enclosure and seemed to be the most common version used out here as a salmon mooching reel.
My brain must of been muddled last night.  I remember guys bringing Winonas down to fish salmon but I think they were more of a steelhead reel for them.  If I remember correctly the spool width was somewhat narrow.

The reel I was thinking about might have been a Windex or something like that.  More of a wider spool.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: Mooch on October 10, 2019, 09:56:00 PM
Yep.  Very narrow spool with wickedly tiny handles.
Title: Re: I Love Knucklebusters!
Post by: GoodDays on October 18, 2019, 08:52:51 AM
The windex was a popular reel in the early days, still a great coho reel in my humble opinion !  The Shimano 2000 is about the best entry level mooching reel on the market.  I have several as well as many different brands of higher end reels but i still go back to the Shimanos for guests who "dont appreciate" the higher end reels (drop them on the floor).  I prefer my Hardy Longstones for discerning guests and myself.  Really no drag except your palm..  and what could be better than a fine English Reel from the makers to the Royal Family !!

GoodDays Greg