Hello everyone,
I am interested in putting together a setup to catch some king kong sized sharks, pretty much always from the beach but also from a boat for big Boca Grande hammers at least every other year. I would also like this to be able to be used for the occasional goliath grouper outing when I am in Florida. What I am thinking is this:
Avet EX 80W (two speed, not T-RX)
750 yards of 200 pound JB hollow core and 250 yards of 200 pound mono
Custom 5'7"-5'9" blank through rod (planning on a 60-100 or 80-130 solid glass Rainshadow blank)
My main two concerns are the rod and the line. First, what guides should I go with on the rod? I don't know if full rollers are beneficial or not, especially on the beach - but I will probably need at least a roller tip for goliath grouper. Second, should I worry about cut-offs with braid in Florida? I will mostly be fishing in Sarasota, with trips to Boca Grande, the Keys, and perhaps a few other good LBSF spots within about an hour of Sarasota. I won't be making longer drops than 200-250 yards but if I hook into that once-in-a-lifetime hammer, I don't want to lose it because my line hits a reef or something.
Also - what is the potential size shark that can be brought in with an 80w? Could it handle a hammerhead over 12 feet, or would a 130 be necessary? I will ONLY be using the 80w when I get ahold of big baits. I will be fishing a pair of Avet LX's with 500 yards of 60 pound JB hollow core and 100 yards of 40 pound mono for the majority of sharks I hook into, say anything under 8 feet.
Thanks and tight lines,
Drew
Thats a whole lot of questions but I will answer them the best I can. Find a rod that fits your style of fishing but usually a 5 1/2 ft to 7 1/2 foot rod can handle both beach,and boat,but if you go with a longer rod say 9-10 foot you will find it tough to fish on a boat for goliath grouper. The places you decide to fish will dictate whether you lose more or less sharks. Try and fish spots that have sandy bottoms with less obstructions that can cut you off on the bottom. Stay away from spots that have nearby channel markers of crab/lobster buoys another hazard in our sport.You may choose an 80 and catch 90% of the sharks you hook but you want the extra line of a 130 when that monster hammerhead finds your bait takes off for the blue horizon.
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger