Gear Reviews
Honest, hands-on reviews of offshore rods, reels, and tackle. What holds up and what does not.
My Boat: A 1999 Contender 31 Open, Completely Rebuilt — Full Tour
A full tour of a rebuilt 1999 Contender 31 Open — twin Yamaha F300s, triple transducers, 49 rod holders, three livewells, and why an old hull rebuilt right beats a new boat payment.
Okuma Makaira Long-Term Review: 50s and 80s in a Real Trolling Program
An owner's long-term review of Okuma Makaira lever drag reels — build quality, drag performance under high-speed wahoo and planer duty, and how they stack up against reels costing more.
The Ultimate King Mackerel Tournament Reel Guide
From the legendary original Shimano Speedmaster to the Trinidad 30A, Torium 30HGA, Avet LX, Accurate, and Penn Fathom II — what actually wins king tournaments, plus budget picks.
Offshore Trolling Reel Buyer's Guide: 30s, 50s, and When Lever Drag Matters
How to pick trolling reels for mid-Atlantic tuna — size classes, lever vs. star drag, line capacity math, and where cheap reels actually fail.