New gear set from the ATD-30. Pinion, high speed drive gear (larger) and low s
peed drive gear.
New handle assembly with longer arm and offset knob.
Stock ATD-12 disassembled to the point where you can install the new gear set. (Piece of cake to put it back together.)
One limitation that I discovered is that you can not make this conversion on the early production ATD-12 (black silk screened writing on the frame/side plate, like reel in the photo above). The machining of the right side plate does not allow enough clearance for the ATD-30 pinion to clear the side plate. Newer production (laser writing on the frame/side plate) will accommodate the larger ATD-30 pinion.
Why consider doing this? This will give you a lower gear ratio for dealing with the cows. The smaller ATD-12 reel is very easy to hold on to and fish all day at the rail. As far as line capacity for cow fishing, I use 450 yds of Izorline 100# spectra (either hollow or solid) plus 70 yds of Izorline 135# hollow spectra. I then finish it with 19 ft of Izroline 100# fluorocarbon and my nub connection. This fluorocarbon actually breaks at 124.5# making the perfect smallest fluorocarbon that you want to fish for Cows and Super Cows with. The 135# spectra is to support the fluorocarbon connection and so you can put the drag to full when you get the big fish within 200 ft from the gaffs.
This is just something I have been playing with and found to be kind of interesting. Definitely a choice to consider during the slow or pick bite. I re-calibrated the drag pre-set so I can use 33# at strike and 47# at full. If that is not enough, I squeeze the spool with my left hand. If you are interested in converting your reel, I suggest that you convert it when you send it in to Accurate for service. This should save you installation cost (just pay for the new parts). Contact Accurate ahead of time to coordinate any change like this, as they will have to have a spare ATD-30 gear set in stock.
If you are interested in purchasing a new ATD "Super 12", Baja Fish Gear has sold several of them and can help you purchase one of these reels with all the upgrades straight from the factory. (This will save you the cost of purchasing an ATD-30 gear set in addition to the cost of the ATD-12.) Baja Fish Gear's owner (Ed T.) fishes with one himself. Feel free to post a comment on this blog if you have questions.
Here is one additional parting thought. If you want a very fast (high speed) ATD-30, the higher gear ratio gear set from the ATD-12 can be put into the ATD-30. This will give you a 5:1 ATD-30 (for the Salas 6X or 6X jr yoyo set up for yellowtail, not Cows).
Thanks for checking this out,
Gary
