From “Corky Decker”

Ok now let’s talk about the expensive stuff; your rods and reels!  REELS: Today’s modern reels ARE EXPENSIVE! But man oh’ man are they good! Works of art really, the technology that goes into these is exceptional, and they are built to last a lifetime. I’ve run (and own) Penn, Shimano, and Red Pig and they all have their own advantages, are excellent products and until recently I have not had much of a preference.

A new product out that I have been testing is really worth a look, Red Pig 2 speed reels. These new reels are currently available in five sizes 15w, (a small compact 2 speed) 20w,30w,50w,80w are excellent quality, and most important cost noticeably less than Shimano and Penn. (over 300.00 less on the 80’s!) The Red Pig 80w holds 1,000 yards of IGFA Andre Tournament mono,(2500 yards of braid) this is more line than both VSW Penn and Ti80w Shimano. A total of eight stainless ball bearings are built into this reel; it is incredibly smooth, and has drag that will put the stops just about anything swimming! These are good reels that save you what can be a lot of money!

Received my 80w Red Pig just a couple of days before the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic in Sandestin Florida. I was immediately impressed with the quality of the reel. The weight and line capacity is right on the money for an eighty wide (about the same as my Shimano Tiagra wides) 1,000 yards of Ande Tournament IGFA monofilament filled the reel nicely and matching the new pig up to a stand up 80 straight butt really balanced the outfit out.

We set the drag onboard Gordon Gills 55 Hatteras 'Never Better' three hours before the shotgun start of the tournament. A smooth steady drag that had more than a few people asking about the new reel. 10 lbs at set up (half way to free spool) 22lbs at the strike button and 35 lbs at full sunset took only a few clicks to dial in my 80 lb test settings.

We will have to get back to you on a good fish story since we only tagged one Blue during the two days, parted off a second on a 50 lb outfit. The Red Pig we ran in the long rigger and shotgun position and my favorite lures failed to bring in a fish....

The day after the tournament I tore the reel down in my shop and this is when I really took notice of the way these reels are built.
 
We have a full summer of tournaments lined up and the couple of 50 wides will be added to the trolling pattern on these...
 
This is a good product and it is going to be very interesting to see these new reels in action!
 
IGFA Certified Capt. Mark S. 'Corky'  Decker   

Just a quick note to thank you and let you know how the new reels are
working out for me. I've been trying to wear out the 15's deep jigging for
Amberjacks and Cobia and can't do it! We've enjoyed tremendous success using
them with metal jigs over the deep wrecks and have caught countless bruiser
Amberjacks and Cobia without a single failure. My clients appreciate the low
gear on them when they have to pull 50 pounds of muscle out of 200 feet of
water. GREAT product and it's hard to argue with the price for a quality two
speed reel.

I'm looking forward to Wahoo season and trying out my two new 50's for high
speed trolling. I'll let you know how they work out but I think we both know
the outcome of that. Thanks again and let's go fishing!

Captain George LaBonte
"Edge Sportfishing"
Jupiter. Florida

After careful examination and putting these reels to the test, they exceeded my expectations. This is a great fishing reel that will last. Components within the reel are of high quality, the carbon fiber drag system is second to none. I feel confident recommending this reel to my customers.

Louis Jimenez CEO
BMC Tackle Inc.
TackleToyStore.com

The quality of these fishing reels exceeded my expectations. Their smoothness in operation and positive stopping power are second to none. I give this product my highest endorsement!

Aloha,
Capt. John, Honolulu, HI