I'm thinking of upgrading my old Penn 9/0s for a couple of Shimano TLD 30s. Anyone have any experience with these reels for tuna fishing in terms of how they perform and how well they hold up? I can't afford Penn International IIs (such as the 50). Any comments would be appreciated.

The Shimano tlds are great reels and will hold up, though in my opinion you need to upgrade the short handles!
I've caught tuna on my 20 and 30 tld 2speeds, I no longer use then because I've got 6 new vsw 50 internationals.

For sbft you'll be fine.

The power of the dark side is growing strong in you, young sweetwater.

TLD's will do the job, though really look at the size you want. 30's will work, are lighter and will be more "fun", but the fish are getting bigger, maybe a 50 for not too much more money? I know alot of the charters are going with the 50's, and even a few with the 70's, which in my opinion are way too heavy!!!

On our long Truro winter walks we check-up on your new construction, when's the projected completion?

The Shimanos are fine and have a good rep, but when I wanted a new 30, I did some research and found good reviews on the Diawa 30 SLD (I think thats the model). Huge drag system with lever drag, and alot cheaper than the Shimanos. So far it has held up and worked great on multiple tuna in the 50-65 pound range.

The power of the dark side is growing strong in you, young sweetwater.

It was ONLY a matter of time Jedi-Beach Master! :)

The dark side rocks.

trolling

trolling

trolling

trolling

BANG! FISH ON!! HEARTRATE IS THROUGH THE ROOF!!!!!!!

Many souls have been lost pursuing the dark lord, Thunnus Thynnus, my young padawan.

The new Shimano TLD-2 is a awesome tuna reel.

okuma titus gold or okuma titus silver reels. An overlooked reliable tuna reel.

okuma titus gold or okuma titus silver reels. An overlooked reliable tuna reel.

:kewl::kewl::kewl::kewl:

Absatively !!!!!!

Very overlooked, my 50s are Okumas (50W) to be more precise.
Do they make a 30 also ??? Dunno :huh::huh::huh: