My friend and I intend to chase some sharks and possibly big tuna we have both just bought a Penn Int. 130 ST each and are wanting to know;

1; best line Braid/Mono to use
2; Will my friends cheap saratoga trolling rodd (100-130 pound class)ve good enough for this reel

3; What is a cost effective trolling rod to use in the event the e-bay saratoga does not cut it ??

4; Do we need to get the drags professionally done on these ??

cheers pc.

#4 first, unless you're heading out for Great White's (can you even catch them legally anymore?) or giant bluefin you will be fine with the factory drags. I've seen some biiiig tigers brought in on 80 lb class rigs, and put two 7'+ sharks (one bull, one blacktip) in the boat on the same night with a wimpy 6/0...1+ hour fights with each on 40 lb line, steaming hot drags and all. 99% of people shark fish with waaaay to big of reels. Around here a 9/0 is ht ereel of choice for most sharkers and the 80International is for yuppie sharkers and bored billfishermen.

#2-3 I don't know anything about the Saratoga and what price range you're looking to stay within. Go Penn International...might as well have a matched set. Anything in the 130 lb class with all rollers (AFTCO is tops IMO) is fine, but you gotta have all rollers. I have a buddy who sells bunches of custom rods...if you have the time you can get what you want for a couple of $hundred by leaving out all the fancy pretty gold thread wraps and such.

#1, There's lots of good lines out there. Don't skimp, but there's no reason to get IFGA certified line (and pay the big cost premium) unless you really think you will get a line class record fish AND try and get it certified. Personally I wouldn't mess with braid, its too expensive for no real gain IMO. Any midrange priced line will be fine.

Just remember that all advice is worth exactly what you paid for it! Good luck!

CDH,

thanks for you help !!

the rod only cost him 140 AUS so we know it's crappy funnt thing it feels alrigh to us.

We know we have gone overboard with the reels but they where at a good price so we thought what the heck, there a life time investment if looked after we figured.

It seem as though there is so much to learn about this trolling for big fish...................................we are not chasing great whites but at some stage would like to chase the big tuna if we could.