Hi guys,

I have made my reservations and sent my deposit in for the June heat 15 day trip on the red rooster III. I have looked over this forum as well as other forms of information and come to this list of rods to reels. Any of you have any better suggestions before I buy the reels from charkbait?


RODS
SEEKER CTS63XXXXH 150 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET PRO EXW 50/2 rail/kite

SEEKER CTS63XXXH 100 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET PRO EXW 50/2 tuna

SEEKER CTS63XXH 80 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET SDS 50/2 tuna

CALSTAR 6465XXH 80 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET PRO EXW 30/2 trolling

SEEKER SSCJB70XH 60 LB AVET HXW 5/2

CALSTAR 670H 60 LB AVET HX 5/2

SEEKER SSCJB70H 50 LB AVET LX2 6/3

SEEKER SSCJB70 40 LB wahoo bombs AVET JX2 6/3

CALSTAR 870 30 LB making bait AVET MX2 or Newell 338

I didn't mention that the rods are blank numbers as I am building the rods. Mostly super seekers.

Why are you using such good gear ?, Fishing isn't going to be any fun anyway, Buy a newell and go shark fishing , then we'll talk. (that's a joke o.k.?)

I have learned over the years to buy the best you can afford once and not to buy second best twice. I have been a die hard Penn International fan for 20+ years. I have some Internationals over 20 years old and still doing what they are intended for...Trolling.
The Chark straighten me out on some of my choices (switching out one of the 80 lb rigs for another 100 lb rig and using the Avet SDS on the 100s also reducing the Avet Pro EXW 30/2 to the narrow Pro Ex 30/2 and this will actually save some cash by doing so.

I have some newells and funny you said shark fishing with them. I had a rather large Tiger in the 700 pound range just about spool my 533 a month ago 80 lb spectra and 60 lb sevenstrand was no match for the shark but wasn't intended to be either the target was king mackerel. That is why I like saltwater fishing so much never know what you may find pulling on the other end of the line....
thanks mark

First off I'll say you have done your homework or Tom (or one of the other Charkbait crew) has been helping you, these are real close to what I use.


SEEKER CTS63XXXXH 150 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET PRO EXW 50/2 rail/kite
Change the reel and this is close to what what I have,a G6463XXXXH AR/WO with a Cal's "fixed" Penn 50SW for kite. This should be a kite/chunk rod as I feel it's too heavy (weight wise)for using all day on the rail. Fill the reel with 130 Spectra and splice in a 50yd-100yd section of 200 on the terminal end.

SEEKER CTS63XXXH 100 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET PRO EXW 50/2 tuna
Drop the "W" and replace this reel with an Avet SDS (50N) At the end of the day you'll be happy that you didn't have to pack the extra weight. My 100/130 is a G6463XXXH with a SDS.

SEEKER CTS63XXH 80 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET SDS 50/2 tuna
I'd put an EX30N on this rod or leave the small stuff at home, this is what I have for 80lb

CALSTAR 6465XXH 80 LB ALL ROLLER GUIDES AVET PRO EXW 30/2 trolling
6463XXH? Good choice, I use a hotrodded EXW4/0 and a custom built rod for trolling.

SEEKER SSCJB70XH 60 LB AVET HXW 5/2
Another good choice but I don't think you need or want a wide reel for this application, go with a HX or HXN. I use a G6464XH with a HX loaded with JB hollow 60lb Spectra.

CALSTAR 670H 60 LB AVET HX 5/2
I'm trying to cut down on rods and I'd probably only bring 1 60lb rod. On my last trip I used 60lb for most of my wahoo fishing and found my bite to landing ratio went up drasticly with the heavier rod.

SEEKER SSCJB70H 50 LB AVET LX2 6/3
Replace the reel with either a HX or a JX.

SEEKER SSCJB70 40 LB wahoo bombs AVET JX2 6/3
Use this for your bait maker and a backup wahoo rod.

CALSTAR 870 30 LB making bait AVET MX2 or Newell 338
Leave the lite gear at home

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Keta,

Thanks for the info.
Homework arrgg as far as help Mark just emailed me yesterday and gave me the changes to drop the wide reels to sds and narrow reels. I was thinking of line capacity when making the choices. I was also aware of the wobble that a wide reel has. The narrow reels make better sense. I have been planning to take a trip of this type over the last 4 years though. 15 days fishing trip can't wait. I started a custom rod building business just to support me buying up the tackle as well as my "bad habits" according to wifey.

I hope your 15 day is as fun filled as the ones I've been on.