Alrighty then, I have searched this and a couple of other forums and I am still looking to inform myself before I set down the plastic. I see a lot of recommendations for penn 330/340gti, and 112/113h/114h Senators some Shimano's...

Other than these reels have a large capacity and good drag what do you look for. retrieve rate, hand length, level wind +/-.... Rods, just point me to some recommedations, soft tip makes sense to feel the bite, butt to lift, short for leverage. other than the tip top anything to consider?

I guess I need to be schooled in hali fishing.

Rebar with eyes on it will work if you're going after big boys. I just use a Shimano TDR rod.

I use a 986(?) BBR with a Shimano Tekota 600LC and fish only darts.

When mreyns and I are out halibut fishing and nothings happening I think, "well Jerry just uses a dart" and I ponder about giving it a go but it never happens. Bait just makes me feel better. But then I think about the time when we were fishing the humps in PA for salmon and a halibut chased my downrigger ball all the way up to the boat and I realize that they are dumb.

BTW the 330 Penns are a good bet and rod wise it doesn't matter too much. Hell an ugly stick gets the job done. Go old school and just handline them in.

It all depends on where, what depth you're angling.

I like the cheap ugly stick rod with the two speed Avet 4/02.

PS It also works well as a TUNA! reel.

Rod=30# to 80# rating.
Reel=Penn senator 113 or 114.
Line=80# Tuff line braid.
Should be able to get hooked up for around $200.00
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Butt fishin ain't finnese fishin it's meat fishin so you can stay away from all the lami & loomis stuff.

Depends upon how much weight you like to fish .... I bought some Loomis Musky Jerk Rods that are swesome for jigging lings & halibut with 12-16 oz. 24 is a wee bit much, but doable. If interested, let me know and I'll see if I can look up the exact model. They've become the rod of choice for most private anglers up north looking for a mid-weight butt rod.

Isn't that like a $300 dollar reel? You put a $300 reel on an ugly stick? Oh Slab your killing me. Kudo's on the choice of reels though. Love lever drags. I don't know why they haven't caught on with more salmon anglers. They are great for newbies, and experienced anglers.

Key with me is rate of retrieve, my choice single action ALVEY, 6 1/2" fiberglass spool, easy to clean and lube, but won't kill you when winding up from 350+ or...

I saw a slick Japanese electric at a SnoKing PSA meeting $$$.

Good Luck, Notime2

A good basic package would be a Penn 330 with 65# or 80# powerpro line. Use some backing, about 20 yards or so, and you should get 300 yards +/- on the reel. Make sure you fill the spool. Not a fast line retrieve but very functional. Put the reel on a Shakespeare halibut rod - Tidewater BTW SURR 5'6" or 6'. I like the roller tip models. They have the backbone of a decent pool cue which helps with leverage. You should get out of the store for around $275 including line.

I use a Penn 113H. A nice reel, but you need to educate your thumb to put line on evenly. It's just one more thing to think about when bringing in a fish or pulling your gear up. The 330 with level wind is much more forgiving. The plus side is the larger spool size so you get more line with each rotation of the handle. An extended handle can be nice.

The lever drag reels are a nice step up from the star drag.

I like a Calstar, something like a 6465xhrSRT Nice little stand up rod, maybe a TLD30 2 speed.

Its total overkill for chickens, but the low gear is nice for bringing the big boys

Thanks for the scoop, the rods are something I really haven't looked at very close. I think I'll either go with the 330GTI and the 113H. The level wind for my kids the 113h for myself.

I will let you know how it all works out.

ok, I thought I would follow up and let you know where I am headed since I last posted.

Reels, I bought an Everol 4/0 and a similar sized Pro Gear Classic.

Rods, a couple of Shakespeare tidewater 6'6" 40-80 lbs they were gifts (should I try and trade them out?)

Lines, why the backing of only 20yrds?

I am getting pumped

ive got the 340gti an the 113n. I like the 113 a little better. Level wind is nice but the 340 is too wide and makes it harder to hold the pole while reelin down.


I'd be interested in any rod reccomendations for 6.5+ foot rods for fishing 32-40 oz DEEP.

Braid can/will tighten down and the spool will spin. The backing gives the braid support and it will also save you some $$ when loading the reel. A Penn 330 will take about 30 yds or so of 80# dacron and 300 yds + of 65 # braid.

Wooly - for a rod, the Shakespeare Tidewater BTW SURR with roller tip at 6' should work for you. Loomis and Lamiglas also make a nice looking halibut stick.

BB, Thanks that make sense on the slipping. Sorry for all the questions, why sometimes braid and sometimes dacron. My thoughts of dacron are similar to flyline backing.


Is the 6'6" tidewater too long, the sales guy said it would a great halibut rod.

doh, reread the post, I thought it said dacron or braid.

My personal opinion would be for a 6' Shakespeare. There are nice rods on the market. I haven't seen a 6'6" Tidewater, but they may be out there. The extra length will probably give you a little more sensitive tip, but halibut aren't known to be light biters.

When loading the braid on the reel, make sure the dacron base is put on tight and the braid is loaded tight, too. If it is put on loosely, it will cut down into itself and is a bugger to get fixed.