Hello all, I have a cheapo davis heavy duty rod it is rated for 80lb line, I have a Penn senator 3/0 reel mounted on it. im wanting to try and use it on a up comeing offshore 12hr trip next month. My questions are will or should it hold up to the normal kingfish, AJ, snapper that I would most likely encounter with it? And what size line should I try and have it spooled with? Being that im from n texas theres not a whole lot of places that supply heavy line so where can I aquir it and what should I exspect to pay? Thank you all.

Take it to Bass Pro or Academy and they will spool it for you with whatever lb test your want. Sounds like 50 lb would be big enough for the fish you list. It should cost you maybe $10. Good luck.

The BassPro in Grapevine

I havent thought of academy, i have one just down the road from the house here.

I use 25-30lb mono with a 50-65lbs leader for the same fish. Your penn 3/0 is the limiting factor, the drag isn't strong enough to warrant a spool full of 50lbs line. Also, if you'll be using malin wire leaders, stick to less than 70lbs test, as the kings will shy away from the thicker stuff. Good luck with whatever you take, hope the fishings hot and the weather's cool!
-Poo

3/0 isnt gonna hold up to much. I wouldnt take anything less than a 6/0 with 40 pound mono for AJ's and BFT. Penn has a new reel out called the squal I ordered the 50 the other day well I ordered 3 of them I'm happy with them over all right now and at 175$ they are a steal!

thank you all, I want a 6/0 but dont have one, dont know where to get one thats not an arm and leg in cost. What size line would the 6/0 hold? I know where one is and im trying to work a deal on it. I hope to have it by this week end.

That rod and reel is big enough to handle pretty much anything i would go with 50 so when you get tangled in all those other lines you wont break off.

Keep an eye out on 2coolfishing - they are always having used equipment coming up for off shore fishing.

I got it today! man shes a beuty! I got the 6/0 reel with a full spool og 120lb line and a rod belt for 75.00 I think I got a good deal. Ive got it mounted to its pole and it sure feels good.

Heres a few pics with questions please. please tell me which way the line should exit the reel propelly please first or second pic. allso is this the proper way the line should go on the first set of rollers on my rod?and shouldnt this line go under the rest of the rollers and not like I show it here?

# 1 on reel, On rollers think of the line position while fighting a big fish. It needs to be on the rollers, first picture, straight between the rollers,@ 2 is OK.

+1

Your first pic is right the line goes over the top of the front bar on the front of the reel fix that stuff add a big bait and hang on.