Hello!I am just getting into offshore fishing, and am new to the site, and am looking to start purchasing big game stand up gear. I have caught smaller sharks, up to a 50lb. brown just on spinning gear, and had a blast doing that! I fish from a boat in the Indian River inlet Delaware/ Ocean City MD waters, and can safely travel up to 30 miles offshore and will be fishing stand up. We have the full range of sharks, from small browns to big makos, state record being over 900lb, and 400lb threshers are taken every year. I am looking at the Penn 50vsw and the Penn 70vs International reels, and am undecided. My concern is that the 50 vsw may be on the small side for truly big sharks? My fishing for now is mostly shark, but I do plan to upsize my boat in a year or two, and will be able to make canyon runs then, so am looking to get reels up to the task of general big game. I understand land based fishing is different from boat, and in my application, will a 50vsw with 80lb line, rated at 525yd, be enough to handle a big shark, say a 500lb or lager mako, or would the 70vs be a better choice, or is the 70vs too big for stand up fishing? I want to be sure my gear is up to the task, especially when given the chance at a monster. I have a lot to learn, and this site and everyone here seems very professional and knowledgeable, and I thank you in advance for your advice.
If you're worried about reel size for larger sharks, think about the Okuma Makaira 50w. You have enough drag to stop almost anything.