Tekota reels? Pro's - Con's .... What size?

Hey guys,
Who all is using the Shimano Tekota reels? I am looking to put together a big ling and Pacific halibut set up and have a line on one of the 800's for a good deal. How big is this reel? Too much for the yak?
Thoughts?
Thanks,
FG

A tekota 800 is a very big reel.

I use a 300 for stripers and I feel that's a good size. So a 500 would really be the max I'm comfortable with and I think a 400 would be fine for most lings and halis. If you're talking 80lb pacifics then maybe a 500 but if its the normal 30lb californias then you won't need that much reel.

Here are the stats:

TEK600 300/20 4.2:1 3+1 16.0oz
TEK700 350/30 4.2:1 3+1 28.8oz
TEK800 450/30 4.2:1 3+1 29.8oz

Based upon the weight and line capacity I would not go over a 600.  A 2x heavier reel is no fun sitting in the kayak and the line capacity is much more than you need for lings and halis.

Other than that I really like my tekota

There are lots of other reels out there too so I wouldn't narrow down to a tekota without looking at others

I have a tekota 500, and each reel I have bought since then has been smaller and smaller.  Have caught plenty of big lings, CA halibut, stripers on all the reels.  That being said, I fish shallow water.  You mention Pacific Hali, so I assume you will be fishing deep?

Most of my fishing is in Washington and Oregon. Usually I don't fish deeper than 150 but when going after 'buts could get down to 250.... much more than that gets tough to fish from a yak.

lings and butts dont really tear off that much line that would would need a 400 yard + capacity spool.  I think the disadvantage of a nearly 30 oz reel would outweigh the advantage of a nice lighter weight reel with some 30-65lb braided line. although admittedly i don't know anything about fishing that deep for halis so I don't know if you need to use mono or if you could go with braid.

I use braid on almost all my rods other than light fresh water stuff. These reels are spooled with 100# power pro on a dacron backer. They would be great for a PB hali reel but I think too big for dealing with in a yak...

yeah smaller is better IMHO on the yak. Keep in mind you can let the fish pull you to itself vs. having to pull a fish to you in a powerboat. I think most set ups are over kill. I hauled in a legal sturgeon on a small low profile baitcaster. My standard reel for lings, butts, etc. Is an abu 6500CS