Do you think it would be a better idea to start with a 9/0 setup, that way I can get into it and THEN get a 14/0 setup? I really want to catch those big tigers and hammers, but I'd probably better start with sandbars, blacktips, sand tigers, and the like. Can I catch those medium, 5-8' sharks on a 14/0 and still have it be a fun fight, or will it be like reeling in a bluegill on a big muskie rod?
My starting setup will likely be:
•Penn Senator 9/0
•Penn Senator boat rod (60-80 lbs class, 6'6")
•Berkley big game mono, 50 lb test main line
•Berkley big game mono, 80 lb test topshot (50-100 yards)
•Braid power play fighting belt and harness (I'll start out with high quality in case I get a bigger setup)
My rig would start with a 4/0 (350 pound test) Rosco barrel swivel, tied onto the topshot. A 2.3 mm thimble will go into this, and then a 7' section of weed whacker line (around 600 pound test) will be double-crimped onto here. At the other end of this trace will be a thimble, going through a 6/0 (600 pound) swivel, and also through a 200 pound coastlock snap for a sinker. At the other end of the 600 pound swivel is a 26" trace of no. 15 AFW tooth proof cable (240 pound test), which is haywire twisted to the swivel. The trace is two pieces of cable twisted together, for strength. At the other end is a 12/0 circle hook.
Sound good?