I have this monster broomstick of a rod and have caught one very large bull on it. (Beat the crap outta me) Prob is I just cant seem to work with it. Its really heavy, all rollers, says 80lb class feels like 130+lb class, 6 1/2 foot, alum from reel seat down. It just digs right in your hipbone, crotch, guts etc. Right now I use a 12/0, 200lb toughline on a Star Rod DLX 35H 8ft rod with ALOT of flex, I think too much. Cant seem to get enough pulling power without pointing rodtip at fish and walking backwards like a tug of war. Everyone keeps telling me to go back to the gutbuster and ditch the tarpon rod but I dont wanna deal with that heavy thing and beat myself up with it all the time. Any advise? Do I just suck it up? Or get some crazy complicated tuna harness and/or belt? Or only fight everything from my butt in the sand? Im about to sell the darn thing. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanx in advance. `~Ray
Fighting belt for sure and A rod like that is perfect for shark fishing on the beach.....not bridges or piers.Different rods different styles of fishing,don't sell just try A belt and see how it works....
Thats the only reason I still own it, I just cant seem to be able to afford one of those crazy harnesses. I own fighting belts that I use for tarpon fishing but end up tearing them off and tucking that rod butt in my hip anyway lol. Maybe Ill just rig a makeshift harness from dockrope and stuff and give it another shot. Its a very nice rod and I hate to get rid of it just because I dont know what the heck Im doing with it. Ill have to take it out this coming weekend. 