CaptainQuint

I've gotten an invite to do a few shark trips this year and I prefer to show up with my own gear. I'm looking for suggestions for an entry level rod/reel setup that won't break the bank. Thanks for any suggestions you guys can provide.

74Formula233

For a cheap but effective rig......

Daiwa 900H (preferred) or Senator 9/0 on a Star Aerial (production, not custom, but well-made and ~$100) 30#-80# 5'-6" (or 9") rod.

That's about as inexpensive a setup you'll get unless you shop around for a nice used setup.

The options above this are countless, but that'll get the job done just fine

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ChuckA

Check our classified I think G-man has some stuff for sale .He has nothing but the best for reasonable if not better prices .

CaptDom

That Shimano 30 TLD Gman has would be a great set up for most sharks you will encounter. The drag is the beefy 50 version, with ARB roller bearings, and he has it on a great rod. You could stay with the 50 mono, or unspool it onto a filler spool, put a backing of 80 pound braid, and then top shot the 50 back on for the last 200 feet or so....

The 900H is a much better reel, IMHO as well...The 115 is a good second option if you only have the funds for the single speed reel.

The best set up would be to search out a good used "Black Death" AKA the Shimano TLD 50 LRS on a stout 5'6 or 5'9 rod should handle just about any shark that swims. I like Crowder E-series rods for under $175.00, great custom rod, or spend the extra $$ and go with a Merrick Bronco custom or Sea Isle custom.

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CAPT. DOM PETRARCA
COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING
NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358
www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

gman

I had two shark/tuna set ups for sale the TLD 50 2 speed on a stoudt penn international Vara which went to Relentless Charters and then I just sold the TLD30 2 speed on another 6 foot Penn International

Thanks for the suggestions guys, the big stuff is gone. How much do you want to spend???

CaptainQuint

The TLD30 setup sounded perfect for what I'm looking. Sounds like a bit late on those. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I do have to ask though, why is the TLD50 LRS known as the "Black Death"?

gman

It kills alot of big fish with alot of drag ...thats my thoughts. I loved mine before i sold it and it killed alot of BIG tuna no problem. I know that Dom uses them at Coastal and we beat the living *** out of sharks with them last year. The new ones have nice handles as well

The graphite bodies are extremely light as well so they are easy to fish stand up

CaptDom

My charter, go-to reels for offshore standup are the TLD 50 II LRS paired to 5'6" custom merrick tackle rods. I bought 6 more of them from melton's close out, to have as back ups just in case I ever lose one to the abyss or something. I have had these reels for 5 seasons running, cracked em only once for service, and they are smooth and tough as the day I got them. My customers have had many big fish on them, including some prolonged battles with bluefins and threshers. I used one with 35 pounds of drag locked down on a 15' tiger shark in the canyons for over 4 hours, and the drag never once slipped.

They are affectionately referred to as "Black Death" just as Glenn said, becuase they have tamed so many huge fish world wide. Best 2 speed reel for the money you can get....Until you move to the golds, they will handle 98% of the fish you encounter for the cheapest entry money, are reliable, and easy to service.

I use Shimano Tiagras and 2 older Penn 50 Internationals that belonged to my grandfather and love them but for different reasons the shimanos for performance, the Penns for nostalgic purposes. The penns are noisy, and bulkier, but ultimately very good reels; Alutecnos, Everol, Accurate, and Avet make great metal reels as well, when you are ready to move up.

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CAPT. DOM PETRARCA
COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING
NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358
www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

CaptainQuint

CaptDom, thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll probably look at the TLD30 II unless I find a used 50 at a decent price. As far as metal reels, I have an Avet MXL that I love (the stripers and Tog hate it though). Just don't know if I'm ready to plunk down the change to get one of the bigger ones yet.

gman

Some things to keep in mind ...

How many times do you go sharking, or tuna for that matter? Im sure the reason you have the great striper/blackfish reel is becuase you use it alot. When you use products alot it lessens the percieved impact on the wallet. God only knows thats what I keep telling myself LOL

When shark fishing though common thoughts such as the above go out the window...unless you tuna fish. Why? Becuase obviously unlike chunking stripers or tuna for that matter with sharking your using 4 lines therefore your not manning you gear unless it gets hit so your at a 25% chance of using your gear. ( I recently went to venice chasing tuna and i took my 50 set up, luckily my gear kept getting bit or i would have been miserable) Now if you plan on doing party boat tuna or regular charter tuna where you can get some face to face time/more use out of it then it makes sense

Also if you have a regular captain you go with (Ive learned this from experience) ask im his recomendations on terminal tackle and spooling as he is ultimately going to feel responsable for getting you hooked up and landed.

IMO i would go with either of the 2 choices in your situation

Shimano TLD50 @ speed or a high end 30w. My reasoning for the higher end 30 is they have better drags and more capacity than most graphite body reels and you wont feel like you brought a knife to a gunfight

Like I said this is just my opinion but I am just an angler, i dont own a boat so I lok at things alittle differently