Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

Sent a Penn torque 60 2 speed that cals had blueprinted and low gear installed to BHP Basil on 8/9/22. Some background:I have spent close to probably $1300 or more with Basil over the last year and a half. Over the course of that time I have had numerous texts exchanges with him over top shots and other possible purchases. Note that he has his iPhone number on BHP for a contact. Now fast forward to yesterday 8/29/22. I had not texted him since 8/9/22 just to see if he received the reel. I texted him to see when the reel would be completed and got no answer so I called him. I stated my name and politely asked him roughly when the reel would be done since I had a trip on the 15th. He answer was that I text him way damn too much and proceeded to talk down to me. So long story short I requested my reel immediately be returned to me and I am now looking at recommendations for spooling and top shots. I have worked customer service my whole life and want to give my money to someone in my mind deserving of it. Would love to hear your guys recommendations. I have had great experiences with The Reel seat amount others. Let me know what you recommend

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

Try Atlantic Bait and Tackle. Shop is located on RT.36 in Middletown. Just tell Pete what you are targeting and he will set you up

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

Thanks. I will definitely check them out.

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

jsnake, can do it yourself if so inclined...I try to do 1/2 braid and 1/2 mono-at least 200 yds mono top shot. Trick is the braid to mono connection. I tie a foot-long loop in braid using a 5-6 turn surgeon's loop; then tie a 12 turn Albright to make the connection. After it's tightened, tag ends trimmed, a drop of crazy glue.
Guys use a heavier backing than the top-shot, but I like to use the same pound test as the mono---works for me. Just have to have enough tension when loading the reel to get the line tight.

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

Jsnake, I'm with Pensie. I'll be doing a 60 and an 80lb setup this week. I just do a modified Albright with a drop of superglue. I also run them out behind the boat to put tension on the mono/straighten the line out.

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

Thanks guys I think I am going to have a cpl beers this weekend and get it done. Do you guys think the glue is necessary?

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

How many trips you on this fall? Looks like they are stacking up nice out there. I have a trip on the 15th.

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

I have been using Basil for almost 20 years and never had an issue. That being said, there is no substitute for good communication Re when you needed the reels by and his communication to you as to when they would be done by. As I am sure you know, Basil’s business extends well beyond NJ as he does a ton of work across the US and even some global business I think. And this is his busy season. I usually send him or drive over my stuff in the spring as I know sending him stuff after July would be almost impossible to meet a tight deadline. If he was rude to you, there is no excuse for that but I have never had that experience with him and his work has been flawless and timely for decades with me.

Sorry you had a bad experience and best of luck with your upcoming trips.

John

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

I'm on all the Gambler's 36hr trips, penciled-in on the Nov. 24's and hoping we do another dec. "trip in the snow". We can count on at least 1 trip being blown out.
Like Sandro on the DOT.COM, I could live out there, but the lunch barge doesn't deliver year-round...LOL

Re: Offshore reel spooling/top shot
 

Forgot, use the glue as an added insurance against the knot failure.
(A Gambler mate showed me this connection a few years ago; been using it ever since.) He saved my ass-pardon my French-more than once...
As Ol Pedro said, you can run out the mono, just make sure you're past the inlet buoy and inshore pots---seen guys spooled more than once!!!