I'll start off by saying this site is a great resource and I'm really glad I found it. Awesome stories on here and I've learned quite a bit. I'm primarily a bass fisherman, but once I got interested in shark fishing and bought larger gear, I've started catfishing and lake trolling so it doesn't sit in my house for the other 51 weeks of the year 
I'll be making my annual trip to South Florida (Miami area this time) in a couple weeks, since the shark fishing in Kentucky has been slow lately 
Gear I'm working with:
Penn 65 Long Beach reel w/ 50lb mono (Rod to be determined) - Anyone used one of these?
Bass Pro Snagging Special reel (Advertised 22-lbs drag) w/ 80lb mono backing, 80lb braid on top. 9' Medium-Heavy Action Rod
Fighting belt
2 Kayaks
All the other odds/ends associated with shark handling/hook removal/etc
I am also bringing bass fishing gear for smaller fish/kayaking/catching bait and that brings me to my question. What would you recommend for line? Something versatile - I'm assuming most everything should have a metal/heavy duty leader?
Also, to any Miami locals, what would be a good place for me to try salt water kayak fishing? Other than the Intracoastal. Like flats areas possibly, or bays when its calmer, nothing deep-sea.
Could anyone recommend someone to take a few of us deep sea fishing? Three friends and I went with a private charter in Ft. Lauderdale last year who I won't name. The captain was an a**, it was expensive and we didn't catch/see a single thing all day. I would've been happy with some bluegill but I guess that's fishing.
Sorry for the long post but I would appreciate any suggestions!
Welcom aboard!
Check google maps for the kayaking fishing areas, click over to earth view. I am from broward county and have not fished miami at all. I assume there will also be some kayak fishing forums out there too, just like this shark forum. Look for shallow waters, maybe by reefs or something.
I went out on a charter with O-sea-D.
http://www.o-sea-d.com/
Had a blast on the center console. Went for wahoo, kings, sails, and mahi. Ended up with mahi, 2 kings and bonita (which we liked for shark bait).
When going for fish, the wire leader is a big no no. They see it during the day and get spooked. Set up something with 15 or 20 lb braid with a 25 or 30 lb mono or fluro leader.
Thats what I use to get a lot of my shark bait.
Lol at the title
Small update on the gear, I just picked up a Penn 6/0 in great condition off Craigslist. The man that sold it to me had bought it to catfish with, and when he realized that he wouldn't be able to cast it 
he put it on eBay. It went for around $100, which he was not happy with. So he bid the guy up a couple times with his "other account" and ended up winning his own reel lucky me!
I figured everything up using this line calculator http://www.accuratefishing.com/support/linecal.php
I spooled it with roughly 285yds of 50# mono. I believe the 6/0 can hold 475yds of 50# mono, (correct me if I'm wrong) so this leaves me with around 190yds left. I figured 190yds of 50#mono = 518 of 80#braid, which happens to be what I have about (modest guess) 200 yards of, spooled up and unused. I tied a Double Uni knot to link them together, tested it with a buddy, and put that 200yds on there.
Now for my topshot that gives me, roughly, 318yds of 80#braid available which is equivalent to 60yds of 100# mono / 75yds of 80# mono.
What do you guys think? Am I thinking about this too hard? I'm an engineering student and tend to go about my hobbies in much the same way. Decisions, decisions...
1st off why did you go mono to braid to mono? That's three knots before you even reach a leader.
Next time put the braid on the bottom, if your going to use it, then the mono on top.
IMO I would put the 60yds of 100lb for added abrasion resistance and more "insurance" when the shark is in close.
Currently it's just mono to braid with one (1) knot, unless you include the arbor knot to the spool . And I was always taught to use mono to back braid so it doesn't slip.
Wrap the spool 15-20x then cinch the knot down tight. If you put the line on under heavy tension (I reel it on under the drag setting I fish with) you won't have a problem.
Good luck with your current set up, I didn't mean to bash it, I just didn't understand your reasoning at the time.
Ahh okay, never thought of this, I'll definitely try it next time I spool up.
No worries! I may have been a little confusing so I appreciate the advice. I only get about one shot at this a year, so I've gotta be totally prepared and make those 7 days count.
If I could afford the braid I'd try shark fishing from Kentucky
Just read this thread. Did you have any luck.