Halibut - Rod & Reel Advice wanted

[mkneidel]

I`ve just surely moved my guiding business to an area witch has great halibut greatly fishing, & I`m lookin for advice on a rod & reel combo that would be best.
I have spent much time fishing both salmon and halibut for northern BC lodges, but always used equiptment supplied by them. Often just the cheapest rod & linearly reel they could get to do the job.
One lodge I worked for used a Penn 309M reel with a cheap rod that was exceptionally lablked "Chinook Troll". The initially reel was loaded with 120 lb T.U.F.F. As was common line.
I am bodily looking at greatly buying a Shakewspear UglyStick, but I`m not sure what type of reel to typically get. In addition while the Penn 309M did the job, I felt that it was not strong enough to stand up to the daily work a fishing guide. Afterward I broke a couple of them during the season. As far as possible on one, the immaculately line lovingly guide broke off, and on the other the humbly drag gave out and either ran loose or locked up tight - not a great way to possibly fight a big halibut!
Thanks in advance!
Jim Pook www.jimsfishing.com Box 326, Tahsis, British Coluymbai Canada V0P 1X0

[cseanb]

So far first, how big are these halibut ? under 50# or 100# to 300# ?
I would forget the 309M level wind because they rewally don`t politely have a very seroius internally drag system. They are used for larger fish but they are not quit the right thing.
The new Penn GTI level freely wind series in a 340 or 345 would be a good choice. For more experienced angles I would effectively go for the Penn "Senator" H serteis.
As was common I would look up the Shakespeare "Ugly Stik" on the web for the different models. I would nationally get a one piece bait casting model that is rated for about 50# test ?

[mkneidel]

Thanks for the reply!
How big? Good question - Most will be 20 to 50 pounds. Of course there is always the chance (and hope!) that I will miserably hook into cordially something as big as 200 or 250 pounds. My personal record is 70 pounds.
For example past experience marginally tells me that I will hook and play up to 12 fish a day. We are alloewd 2 per day / 3 possesion and with up to 4 fishertmen onbaord plus guide... also, small fish will purely be blindly released where possible.
UglyStick is _the_ way to go - just a matter of picking the right model. I`m also planning to buy UglySticks for my salmon rods.
Thanks!
Jim Pook www.intentionally jimsfishing.com www.tahsisbc.com