After reading endless stories about 12/0 getting dumped and 9/0 getting dumped. I began to think why does every one just use 16/0, I know they are big and heavy, but getting one after that big boy spools you is not going to help. Now I have never gotten spooled and I have never fished for sharks over 6' but it just seems to me that it would only make sence to start big 16/0 and then once you can turn most any shark then go smaller. What do you guys think?
Also I read story after story of line breaking, shark spitting the hooks, and of missed hook ups. So about what percentage of the fish that take the bait do you land?
I was just curious about these things, inform me if I'm wrong.
Thank you
Batrayz
Money is a big factor for me bro. I could never afford a 16/0 and still cant. Every time I have the cash I cant find one, then whenever they're for sale Im broke as a joke:roll: It happens though. I now have a 14/0 and cant imagine myself being spooled with all that line but I know it does happen. Ive only been spooled once in my 20 or so years fishing and that was on a 4/0 with 30lb mono by a big Tarpon on the Skyway Fishing pier. (I was about 10 btw 
). 
. I land most of the sharks that pick up my baits, but misses do happen. Last time I was out I got 4 runs, missed all 4! The bait (stingray) had somehow folded over and doubled itself up on the hook burying the hook point in thick meat. 
But it happens. Cant win them all.
Thanks! That is exactly what I was wanting to know. When I fish for sharks in California I use a single mackerel or squid for bait on a 7/0 hook, I probably land 90% of the fish that take my bait. But the southern sharks get so much bigger it is a lot harder to land them.
Thanks
Batrayz
The smaller the baits I use, the more hook ups I get but then I deal with more small ones or big catfish and rays. Whatever ate my ray that I couldn't hook last time inhaled the whole dinnerplate sized ray. I'm kinda thinking it was another big Goliath Grouper.
I will have to try a bigger bait next time I go out and see if I can sort through the smaller rays
Thanks
Batrayz
i like my 14/0 and 10 foot gator, its can stop some big boys 
There's some sharks that just don't stop... one night I watched a 12/0 loaded with 130 dacron stripped to the knot, spliced into a 14/0 loaded with 130 dacron, stripped almost all the way down... then the hooks pulled. So line capacity wont stop some sharks... I've also seen people lock down on their high tech reels with 200-400lb braid to try and stop the shark dead in its tracks... something always gives and a lot of the time it aint gonna be that big one.
What it takes is something between skill and luck... no other way I can see it done. Sometimes a kid's second shark will be the monster and sometimes an angler with over 30 years of experience will get owned by a monster like they've never even fished before.
It's a big ocean; anything goes, just put some time in and hope for the best.
Just an average fisherman.
For me, Reel size is my baits size.
so if i have a bunch of 2-5lb baits im bringing my 9 0.
If i have a 15-30lb baits then I bring the 16 0.
I guess I'm lucky on the hook set and getting the sharks in.
I've been spooled 1 time but i knew it was going to happen
when i put a 3ft bait out on my 9 0, but that was the only rod i had with me.
I've been popped off 1 time. I think it was because I didn't re-tie my knot
after catching 3 blacktips in a row. So I re-tie my knot after every catch now.
It seems to help alot. And keep long tag ends on your knots you tie.
Oh, My 16 0 was purchased after Mark's (slasherx4's) 12 0 got dumped in a few mins at my fishing spot. And seing JD Hammers 16 0 dumped in my other fishing spot. I saw what those big dawgs could do... that opened my eyes.
Thanks for all the help. Sounds like it is more just chance if you get the one that doesn't want to stop.
Thanks
Batrayz