Grouper fishing rods-reels

[rstrick]

Can anyone here give me some advice on a decent rod/reel set up for grouper fishing in Atlantic waters? Lever drags vs star drags, size 6/0 Ocean Master or Captains choice, Penn etc.. Nothing too expensive but dependable....Thanks, Rick

[thefermanator]

I've always had great luck with the PENN SENATOR 4/0 high speed with the leverage handle on it loaded with 80lb. test line. I personally use of my dad's old custom solid fiberglass rods, but the DAIWA SEALINE solid graphite is my second choice. The last one I bought was around $250-300 for the whole setup, but this has been quite some time(these old PENN's last a really long time).

[Prop Blast]

Reels:
1. Penn Senator 113H spooled with 40 or 50lb mono will work for almost any grouper. You don't need any heavier line. If you're going to fish in water over 150' for big grouper; you might want to move up to a 114H and spool with 60lb line
2. Daiwa Sealine 400H with similar line. Upgun to a Sealine 450 is an option.
Both reels will set you back $100 - $120

Rods:
1. A basic 7' long E-glass rod like a Shakepseare Ugly Sitck rated 30-60lbs will work fine. Should set you back another $80.

Tightlines,

PB

[tommyr904]

all i do is grouper fish in the gulf.like many have said you can not beat a 4/0 penn i do prefer a penn mariner stand up rod 30 to 50 lb class.i like a stiff 5 ft rod so when he hits you can get that rod tip up and hopefully keep him out of that hole.rods are a personal preferance i would buy one try it if you like it then you can get a couple more.on the penn reels for grouper i like the older chrome spool reels as the last alot longer than the newer ones.i get mine of e-bay and pawn shops and then have them gone through with new drag washers.good luck!!

[djwhitman]

We use penn 4/0s with 100lb power pro braid. This'll get'm out of thier how in a hurry. Boater's world has a 50lb combo w/ a 4/0 that works perfect for just this. We caught 20+lb grouper off the Big Rock in NC with this same combo in 250' of water with no problem and my wife was using the same setup with success. We also use it to troll for mahi, wahoo, kings and tuna if we need another rod in a pinch and we can drag some big AJ's up with it too. The combo is $110, can't beat that!! We have an exact copy of that real that is over 5 years old that has caught 50lb wahoo, 60lb tuna, 20lb grouper etc with no prolbems.
DJ Whitman

[reel trick]

Get you a 4/0 high speed(used is fine), I like to spool it with dacron and top shot it with a couple hundred yards of 80# spectra, the pick up a new penn slammer 6'6" 30-80 rod for $40.00(light and strong and cheap, so you won't hurt you feelings banging ita round) then go fishing.

[rstrick]

Has anyone had any experience (good or bad)with Offshore Anglers Captains Choice 4/0 reels?...Thanks again, Rick