Gear Talk - Surf Caught Large

[rizzo]

What kind of setups have you guys taken 35#+ fish from the surf with? Please specify rod, reel, line and leader. Also mention if you felt under or over-gunned with the gear. Did the fish hang you up at all, and how confident did you feel about getting that fishes head up?

How much thought does everyone put into selecting a setup for large? Are people content with the gear available?

Here's what I've found most success with (Please try to keep this to 2 or 3 setups that have been the best to you for landing large) :

1321-1 Arra, VS250, 20# fireline, 50 pound leader - Always have felt undergunned with this setup, have been taken into the rocks many times, but have always gotten lucky in getting fish in. Can't beat the feel and distance this rod gets. I am worried about losing a true giant with this setup and have semi-retired it. I have replaced it with a 1205 arra and am still skeptical about loving this blank.

1321-M, VS300, 50# stealth, 60 pound leader - Always in control with this setup, hard to break a fish off. Feels a little muddy, but still sensitive enough to not miss hits. If I ever hooked an 80 pounder this would be the setup I would like to try to land it with.

1209, Saltiga 6500, 50# stealth, 60 pound leader - The saltigas super fast retrieve gives the fish no chance to rest. 1209 has muscle. No problems other than the fear of pulling hooks on fish. Perfect for the canal.

Overall, I don't like the faster action blanks with braid. Tight drags and horsing fish seem to pull lots of hooks for me. I think 11' blanks are far superior to 10' blanks for landing fish in bony areas. Lighter setups make me very nervous when there is any kind of current or swell goin on.