 There
is perhaps one reel that is more popular, in New Zealand, with anglers
after kingfish than any other. It is the TSM IV from Shimano. This reel
is almost a classic in that it has endured the test of time. It is
reassuring to know that plenty of spare parts are available in the
unlikely event that you should need them.
This
is a true star drag casting reel with a clutch system that allows the
spool to totally disengage from the drag. There is a small knob on the
end plate that you can turn to control the cast. This causes a very
light drag to be applied to the spool to prevent over-runs and their
resulting bird's nests!
To cast
you simply place your thumb on the spool and with your other hand flick
back the clutch lever to disengage the drag. After casting you flick
the clutch lever forward and start winding. It is possible to send your
popper or jig a considerable distance with a TSM IV. I well remember
being on a launch in the Marlborough Sounds and making a good cast with
the TSM IV that turned out to be a bit longer than anticipated,
resulting in a new home-made popper becoming hopeless embedded in
native bush some way up a hillside near French Pass !
It
would be possible at a pinch to use the Shimano TSM IV as a salmon
reel, although you would have to take it easy or an overrun could
result with the aluminium spool. For very long distance casting for
salmon the spool needs to be very light weight.
TSM
IV has a retrieve ratio of 6.0:1. This is very fast! It means that if
you wind the handle flat-out, your jig or popper fair belts along at a
speed of around 8 knots or more. With a full spool you can retrieve
44.5 inches (1.1 meters) of line per crank of the handle. Yellowtail
kingfish have a definite preference for live healthy baits. Obviously
the fitter and healthier the bait fish the faster it swims and it is in
this application that the Shimano TSM IV works to best advantage with
jigs and poppers. A rapid retrieve can trigger a strike from these
powerful predatory fish where a slower retrieve might simply be
ignored. A high gear ratio also makes for better touch when striking
the fish because you have less slack line to take up.
Very
few reels have a gear ratio as high as 6.0:1. Shimano have been
building bicycle components, gears in particular, for over sixty
years, and you can be sure that the gearing is both tough and durable,
together with its high speed! The main and pinion gears are made from
stainless steel. With its three stainless steel ball bearings the
handle spins very smoothly.
The
Shimano TSM IV can hold 480 yards of 20 lb line and 330 yards of 30 lb.
It is a good general purpose boat reel that would be ideal to use
fishing for cod and trumpeter around Stewart Island, albacore tuna off Kaikoura, snapper around New Zealand , and of coarse the yellowtail kingfish should they put in an appearance.
There is also plenty of line capacity to make the reel a good choice to use trolling a lure out behind the boat!
This
is a very stylish looking reel having a one piece black graphite/
titanium frame. It has a solid stainless steel reel foot. This makes
the reel super light weight at just 17.6oz.
The powerful yellowtail kingfish
stopping titanium drag features six big washers. The drag is increased
by turning the star clockwise. It is important to set your reel's drag
adjustment properly. To do this fit the reel onto your rod and thread
the line up through the guides and tie the end to a spring balance.
With your mate holding the rod with the tip up adjust the star knob
until line pulls off at about one third line of line weight. For
example; if spooled with 30 lb line it should start to pull off the
reel when the spring balance reads 10 lbs. Setting the drag properly is
very important because kingfish put up a very powerful fight on their
way to the bottom. They try to wrap your line around rocks and so snap
it off. A good quality reel is imperative if you are after these
monsters.
The
TSM-3 makes an excellent long distance salmon fishing reel when used in
the surf. You still see the odd one down at the river mouth being used
for this purpose.
So if you need
a good solid reliable saltwater reel to take with you on your next
charter, club trip, or for general bottom fishing, you can't go past
the TSM IV from Shimano.
Line capacity for the TSM-3 is 20/360, 25/290. Gear ratio 6.0:1. Weight 479 grams.
Line capacity for the TSM-4 is 20/480, 25/390, 30/330. Gear ratio 6.0:1. Weight 499 grams.
The TSM-4 is an excellent choice for high-speed jigging for Yellowtail Kingfish.
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