07-02-2001, 12:32 AM
Hey Pete, Your right about the kind of rod that is best. 20-50 lbs. 6-7 foot. Those Shimano backbone spinning rods don't make it. I have a couple of Penn "Slammer" SLS-2721H spinning rods that do ok. Here's a link<br><A HREF="http://www.pennreels.com/scripts/catalog/rods/slammerrods.html" target="_new">http://www.pennreels.com/scripts/catalog/rods/slammerrods.html</A><br>These rods just barely cut it though. I got them because they were in a local store. I think the Penn "Powerstick" might be the better way to go. The PSP 6001SSH 6' Spinning Heavy should handle any big thing that bites. Here's a link to a place that has 'em:<br><A HREF="http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=27" target="_new">http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=27</A><br>You'll find that the shorter rod makes it easier to jig and fight fish too. <br><br>Don't worrie about the guides getting cut either. The braided line won't cut them. Roller guides are actually worse because the thin braided line can sometimes get between the roller and support.<br><br>There are a couple of reels out there that are better than the Penn 9500SS. They have a price tag to show it too! The STL10000F<br><A HREF="http://www.billfishtacklesupply.com/Shimano/stella.htm" target="_new">http://www.billfishtacklesupply.com/Shimano/stella.htm</A><br>and Diawa makes a big spinning reel about the same price. Couldn't find it on the web. <br>If you fix up the Penn 9500SS like I said earlier, it will do just fine at a much cheaper price.<br><br>I have some jigs that came from Japan with heavy duty split rings and trebble hooks. I like the hook-up ratio of a trebble better than a single hook. Japan makes better split rings than anything I've seen on U.S. lures and their trebbles are thick! <br><br>Good luck in August [cool]<br><br>Capt. Jeff<br><br><br>