Halibut reel/rod combos???

ronin · May-01-2008, 06:43 PM

Hey there guys. I hope that I get some hits on this before Saturday. I need some help, I'm going on a Hali trip this Sunday and I'd like to add a new weapon to my arsenal before I head out. So here's the deal, I'll be fishing up here in the Puget Sound, we'll be fishing in about 100 to 350 ft. using a spreader bar and 20oz. to 30oz. weight. The guy that I'm going with is running 65lbs braid. I don't think we'll be running into any monsters but one can only hope. If anybody out there has any info or suggestions on rod and reel combos that are capable of this fishing they will be more than appreciated. Thanks for your time.
- Sluggo

sdfishkiller · May-01-2008, 06:57 PM

I don't have a drop of experience in what you're talking about.

So I suggest a Daiwa SLD 20 2 speed full of 65# spectra.

OK I'll shut up now

ronin · May-01-2008, 07:00 PM

thanks for the input. I'll keep it in mind.

**fishnfool** · May-01-2008, 07:38 PM

Cornfed_King, dragonballs, Tower Todd, fishnazzi, Quixotic...anybody? Help a brother out.

Tower Todd · May-01-2008, 08:28 PM

I can try, but to date my largest Halibut is a whopping 5 pounds so I'm not sure I can be the go to guy. On opening day, I used one of my tuna rods which was a 6' 40-60lb rig with 80 pound spectra. I see most of the local shops here sell a 6' meat stick that is like 50-80 or 80-130 for hali. Kinda your personal preference I guess. Price depends on the componets used. I've been seeing them for $40 - $200. G.I. Hoes in Lake Stevens has a pretty good looking boat rod for about $50 on sale right now. Hope this helps, but Cornfed or Killerbee seem like the hali pros.

TT

Reel Nauti · May-01-2008, 09:25 PM

I run 7' rods for Halibut. I have both Ugly sticks and Berkley rods. action Medium heavy for both brands. Ugly sticks are 30-60 lb line and the Berkley's are 30-80 lb line. all the rods have Penn 340 GTI's with 100 power pro. I run any where from 8oz to 48oz weights and both brands handle it well, good sensitivity and much back bone

Chandler

Green Wasabi · May-01-2008, 10:00 PM

I've got some new set-up this year for butts. I've got Quantum Boca Powerlite 50 lb rods coupled with 2 speed Quantum Aruba 20s. My old set-up were Lamiglas BFC5610 which were 50-100 lb rods with Penn 113s and 113H. I've dropped up to 4 lbs of weight with the Lami set-ups with no problems. I've got these rods spooled with 80lb Sufix braid.

bugging57 · May-01-2008, 11:07 PM

I bought the $99.99 Penn 330gti/rod combos at boaters world. The reels are $99.99 so the rod is pretty much free. Not the best rod in the world but it will work and it is free. I spooled up some 100# power pro and if I ever get my upper unit in my outdrive fixed I hope to give them a work out.

Keta · May-01-2008, 11:16 PM

65lb is more than enough. I'd sugest a 6-1/2' or 7' rod in the 40-60 or 50-80 range and a Penn 113H, unless you want to spend the money for a two speed reel.

Bigger Fish · May-01-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower Todd

I can try, but to date my largest Halibut is a whopping 5 pounds so I'm not sure I can be the go to guy. On opening day, I used one of my tuna rods which was a 6' 40-60lb rig with 80 pound spectra. I see most of the local shops here sell a 6' meat stick that is like 50-80 or 80-130 for hali. Kinda your personal preference I guess. Price depends on the componets used. I've been seeing them for $40 - $200. G.I. Hoes in Lake Stevens has a pretty good looking boat rod for about $50 on sale right now. Hope this helps, but Cornfed or Killerbee seem like the hali pros.

TT

I'd give you my input, but Tower Todd has me beat by 5 pounds...

Mo · May-02-2008, 12:15 AM

Shimano Torium 6.2:1 with 50lb tuffline (yellow) on a Lamiglass butt rod is what I use
I also have some uglystik 6'6" with penn reels with tuffline for boat ho's.

**Cornfed** · May-02-2008, 05:53 AM

ROD: For halibut rods, I don't like anything over 6.5'. You want something really stiff. If you have a longer, more limber rod than you will be working harder for bait checks. Do the math.... MOMENT = FORCE x DISTANCE. If you have a longer rod then you will have to overcome a greater moment. When we fish the praire, 45 miles out of Neah Bay, we are in 420' to 460' of water. You want to do as little work as possible. I like the Lamiglas Hali. rods like GW has....the Lamiglas BFC5610 is a good one. I also like the FUJI guides.

REELS: I have Tekota 700s on my meat sticks. They are level wind reels, are real smooth, and work great. You don't have to get a reel that DOESN'T have a levelwind. We aren't fishing for Marlin here. You aren't going to wear out your levelwind IF you get a hali. worthy of taking line. Plus, it is so much easier when you're reeling because you don't have to guide the line back on the spool. If you want you can lay the rod on the rail or leave it in the holder and wind. There are lots of great reels out there that will do the job. The Penn 113s are great reels if you don't care about the levelwind thing.

LINE: I agree with KETA. Not necessary to use anything over 65 lb. test spectra for our state. You don't want to go too big because then you start talking line angle blow back and adding weight just to get to the bottom.

Hope this helps. Let us know what you get and where you got it. TIGHT LINES!