Breambuster wrote:Listen to EddieJoe as he has provided the most accurate info. But frankly, you're asking a wide open question. It's like asking which club should I pick now that I'm picking up golfing. So, its not surprising that what you get thus far are all over the place - the suggestions posted are from specific circumstances based on the responder's experience. What you need to do is first ask yourself what type of water are you most likely to fish in. If its within 20 miles in the gulf where its mostly sponge bottoms and in less than 100-120' water, a medium set up would be sufficient. But if you often venture out to 150 plus foot of water or fish wrecks or high ledges, I would make sure to have a heavier set up because the Torium and other similar high speed reels will just set yourself up for disappointment. And like EJ, I also have owned most of the above mentioned reels.
Yes, it's like asking what's the best pickup truck. Depends on what you like, really. Your comment on where you fish does make some difference, although not as much as I used to think. In my case, I rarely go deeper than 75' (only if someone else takes me do I go deeper) in my boat, so a lighter, handier outfit suits me and my personal preference, although even in deeper water with bigger fish I hold my own. Also, I have yet to have a grouper and/or snapper that is so large that it really challenges my tackle, other than a goliath now and then that just goes where it wants to go no matter what I do. I have also been fishing for grouper here in the Gulf for 30 years, and probably 50 years in Florida altogether. In them olden days, we used 6/0 Senators and 80 lb test mono with broomstick rods but over time I have sized my tackle down big time. Some of this is due to advances in technology, and some is due to me getting older and gaining a different outlook. I just don't like holding a huge rod and reel all day when I can catch the same fish with a small, light rig. To me, 80 or 100 lb powerpro (or mono) as main line, for example, is way over board. I sized down to 30 lb mono and/or 50 lb powerpro, and nothing has gotten away so far. In fact, it's really hard to break that line, period. Couple that with the stupid bag limits in place now and I want to have as much fun as possible when I catch my few grouper and snapper. And, unless I happen to hook a big shark I am usually just using the same 50 yards of line over and over again up and down. As a result, big line capacity reels don't make any sense to me, either. Sizing down every year. But, you know, that's just me. You guys do your own thing, and that is what makes fishing fun.
Catchem up. EJ
