For shoreline shark fishing with 80 and 130 pound tackle:
1) which is better, a plain e-glass blank or graphite with e-glass over it ?
2) how long is the butt section ?,
3) are heavy foul proof guides ok or are roller guides needed ?
it all depends on how you like your rods. i am biulding an eglass 80-130 rod 10ft long 21-24in but section foul proofs with a roller tip and a #52stripper guied
2009 Team Hammer N The Phenoms
Go BIG or go home
Many factors can determine what type of rod you choose for your shark fishing .The same way i would not recommend that a 12 year 90 lb kid start with a 16/o loaded with 130 lb line on a 10 foot rod i would not recommend a long butt on a rod if you are gonna use a gimbal belt and harness to fight your sharks standiong up.A rod with a longer butt is beneficial when fighting a shark on the beach and you prefer to stick the butt in the sand and fight your fish like you're in a fighting chair.If you are of slight build stick to a lighter set up such as a 12/0 or 14/0 with a shorter rod and once you gain size and strength move up to heavier more punishing gear.Big long riods have advantages but so do smaller more lightweight rods.The newer graphite rods are good but expensive and are less forgiving then the classic fiberglass rods. then You have to find what works best for you.A big shark will wear you out faster with equipment that is too heavy for your physique. Roller guides on your rod tip and on the bottom of your rod are a definite advantage in helping the line coming off your reel stay cool and friction free.Make sure that whatever guides you decide to use that the line you are gonna be using when doubled or tied in a Bimini twist can slide thru the smallest guide without getting stuck,,,,,,,in other words that your fattest knot will not have a problem going through quickly.
FOR LAND-BASED SHARK FISHING
1)You should use top notch equipment
2)You should seek the strongest but lightest equipment possible
3)You should try to maximize line capacity on you reel (remember you can't chase your monster)
Good luck i hope that helps.
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
My fav rod i ever had was a white gator glass 130lb a bit over 9ft 24 inch CORK butt aftco rollers all the way with my 12/0 130 Ande line.
This was for Beach and pier/Keys bridges...The longer rod in my opinion is best for Piers and bridges.
I wish i had never sold that combo..But at the time i was moving where the ocean was not!