So I went for it and got myself a big shark rig. I was going to wait until the new year but by pure chance I came across an unbelievable deal which I just couldn't refuse. So I'm now the owner of a never used Penn International 70vs and Ocean Master 5'9" 130lb IGFA rod. I'm well pleased!!! And to top it off, I got the lot for $500. 
Hopefully I can put the hurt on the big boys with this next year. I'm going to need 40lb baits just to hook something that'll put a bend in this rod. 
So what should I spool it with? The Stuart rollers on the rod have no gap between frame and roller whatsoever so I'm confident braid will work. I'm thinking 1200 yards of 130lb braid and a 130lb mono topshot unless anyone has a better suggestion?
Id go with that should get a good amount of braid on there and always want a top shot in Florida for those sand bars but that sounds like a nice set up
stevensj407 is correct - you MUST have a topshot for braid otherwise even if you hook into a a 4-5ft spinner it will cut you off when they jump, it happened to me many many time this year in spring.
Also, this is something that truly depends on how skilled you are, but when you tie braid to mono use a knot called "sebile knot". It's not easy to make, has 100% knot strength and is as smooth as the knot-less knot made with hallow braided line. In the past what i found out, is that every time when i mention, "sebile knot" many people found to be a big challenge to tie it, but once when you made one successfully, you'll realize the potential of this knot when rings of your rod are fairly small and heavy mono is needed.
Thanks Boghy I'll look it up and try it. I've always used the Albright Special for braid to Mono and it hasn't failed me yet, but I'm always keen to learn a better knot.
awesome price on that setup, glad u want to spool it correctly. I would use hollowcore braid so u can use the line to line connection that works like a chinese fingercuff. that is the only true 100% connection and will leave u no knot so it goes through the guides smoothly. If you do tie a knot a sebile is a bad choice, it has been proven time and time again to be weak and far from 100%. search on google sportsmans knot challenge. im on my phone so cant give you the link. that is one example of knots being tested and like every test proves a bimini twist for a doubleline is the basis of all the best line to line knots. The modified bristol takes about a minute to tie and is the knot i would suggest
the line to line is nice but hollow braid for 1200 yards is like 300 dollars compared to pp 1500 yards for 115 just sayin if your not using rollers the line to line isnt really necessary and cost efficient just sayin
awesome price on that setup, glad u want to spool it correctly. I would use hollowcore braid so u can use the line to line connection that works like a chinese fingercuff. that is the only true 100% connection and will leave u no knot so it goes through the guides smoothly. If you do tie a knot a sebile is a bad choice, it has been proven time and time again to be weak and far from 100%. search on google sportsmans knot challenge. im on my phone so cant give you the link. that is one example of knots being tested and like every test proves a bimini twist for a doubleline is the basis of all the best line to line knots. The modified bristol takes about a minute to tie and is the knot i would suggest
When you go near to a PC, i would like to read your referral links were they test this knot under thousands of dollars worth machine were they proof that the knot is basically not 100% strength.
The fact that someone goes on a forum and say that he/she has FG Knot or Sebile knot failing, without having the knowledge of properly tying the knot, does not proof the fact that the knot is not up to 100% strength. Google'ing info like this without being backed-up by true tested values, has actually no value. Not to mention the fact that the hallow braided line is using the same "catch-to-mono" principle as sebile knot aka fg knot.
If there is a difference between that paid captain's knot called "improved FG knot" and sebile knot i'll gonna eat my coffe
http://www.sportfishingmag.com/techniqu ... -challenge
Same knot different WAY of tying it - basically - more money for the magazine.
Don't "buy" everything that you read in that magazine, unless is truly backed-up by science. Don't forget - the money is in sensational - not always in actual facts.
Go anywhere online and you'll realize - FG KNOT IS SEBILE KNOT.
So why both ways for same knots? I have to give credits to china people since they were the one who invented first the FG Knot, but also, i have to give credits to the western guy who made same knot, just in a more easier way of tying it. In other words, whatever criss-cross you'll see made by a china fishermen for a FG Knot, the Sebile knot means the same thing, just doing it more easy - same results.
So, you can do 10 turns, 20, 40, 60, - i do usually 40 on mono and 20 on braid, i have a nice transition, but i tie it in Sebile way. I did before in FG Knot way, but i found it more easy, faster and with same results using the Sebile way.
P.S. I'm just wondering - Why they didn't mention the number of turns used in thous knots? Or, they all "forgot" that the numbers of turns in a knot is actually what makes the knot strength? I've seen many tests like that made, the most accurate ones are actually the one that they make SAME knot different number of wraps - you'll be surprise on the results.
a plain sebile is much weaker and different than a modified fg knot. and the amount of time it takes to tie it is ludacris considering the bimini WILL break first. So, u can spend over 5mins tying a sebile or over 7mins tying a modified fg or you can spend 1minute tying a modified bristol. Keep tying your standard sebile like those that tie their uni to uni and swear by their strength. At time of failure then a person will search for a better knot. This trial was 100% unbiased and backs the knowledge of big game fisherman. Ive read countless books that claim to use machines to test and claim knots are 100% and are far from true. To each their own I guess. I choose a 1 minute knot that flows through guides easier, just as strong and is far less complicated to tie.
Its common to mention time to tie a knot or, by others, to mention that its pretty hard to tie an FG Knot or Sebile Knot while on rocky boat, but let's not forget something. When you tie braid to a long mono leader, you won't do that often. The only time when you'll have to do that knot AGAIN is when you'll have to replace the topshot, which in our shark fishing gear, doesn't happen daily. So, if a knot like this takes X amount of minutes to do it, it won't matter - since you don't need to do it daily anyway.
this post really interests me cuz im bout to load my 900h with 80pp to a top shot of 130 and am looking for a good not to tie to make it hold granted the 900h only puts out 34lbs of drag at full spool but i need something that can handle me (6'4" 210lbs) powerin in sharks lol i just want something that i can have faith in
just remember regardless of the knot you choose, make sure to practice it and tie it correctly
IF i would have small rod guide clearance I would do, 40 wraps on mono with braid of sebile knot then 20 wraps of uni knot over braid in criss-cross. Otherwise, bimini knot with 40 turns in braid and reverse albright 24 wraps up on mono. I personally fished with both knot, and when my line snapped, NEVER broke at the knot.
Please check some of the videos made by these guys: http://www.charkbait.com/cs/cshL_Spectra.htm
Thank u when it comes to braid knots I'm very new to it I will definitely check it out tho thank u
OK, so what's wrong with the albright? I use 7 or 8 wraps down and then 7 or 8 back up (with braid to heavy mono), wet it and gently snug it up neatly and pull it tight. It's never broken on me so far.
ive used an albright a lot too never had a problem personally