Budget hali gear

[Stein]

I have two hali rods and need a third.  The season is short and buddies are a bit flaky, so I want a beater rod that will get up to 2 pounds of lead up and down without breaking the bank.  The only caveat is I don't want something that explodes upon first hook set.

Any ideas on a budget rod and reel?  So far, a MH Ugly Stick for $60 is about all I have came up with.

[fishnfur]

That's a tough one.  In my mind, your price range limits you to mostly junk (new) or alternatively, used gear, which does not necessarily mean bad gear.  I'd check Craig's List for an old rod.  Or post a wanted poster on the local dock's bulletin board.   A big old level wind Penn with 50, preferably 80 Lb test - 600 feet of line, depending in where you fish.  Maybe more.  I like the short sticks - about 5  - 6 feet.  I'd use my heavy tuna rods if I ever went blue water fishing for hali.  Ya just never know what you might hook... 

[L-ofalab]

The rod doesn't have to be expensive but the reel has to be good enough to crank up 2 lbs and a fighting fish. I bought a broken rod that was about 5 feet long and just put a new tip on it, cost $8. It's pretty stiff but works fine for halibut.

[Encore 280]

Find an reel and put it on a broom handle, there ya go. Maybe hit up Gasman for any hali gear, he doesn't use it.

[Rick]

Ugly stick Tiger rods are ok,and a lot of guys use them as double duty tuna/halibut rods. IMO, they don't have enough backbone for the weight halibut fishing sometimes requires.

I've got three Shakespeare Tidewater rods as loaner halibut rods.  If you look around you can find them for under $50. 

[gasman]

Find an reel and put it on a broom handle, there ya go. Maybe hit up Gasman for any hali gear, he doesn't use it.

There you go, busting my chops again Larry. Do you look for threads that you can throw out crap at me, it sure seems like it 

But your right, I don't need my hali gear,  I'm going to follow you around and steel your chickens.


To the OP, bass pro has a "Penn" halibut set up for cheap. Don't remember the price, but it was not a bad deal.

[bearpaw]

That's a tough one.  In my mind, your price range limits you to mostly junk (new) or alternatively, used gear, which does not necessarily mean bad gear.  I'd check Craig's List for an old rod.  Or post a wanted poster on the local dock's bulletin board.   A big old level wind Penn with 50, preferably 80 Lb test - 600 feet of line, depending in where you fish.  Maybe more.  I like the short sticks - about 5  - 6 feet.  I'd use my heavy tuna rods if I ever went blue water fishing for hali.  Ya just never know what you might hook...

There are all kinds of reels on ebay, anything you want, I've had good luck with sellers who make lots of sales and have 98% or better positive sales.

[Skillet]

I was going to put a Halibut rod and reel combo up on here this weekend.  I can't remember the make off the top of my head, but it has a LH Penn reel loaded with mono.  Some guys like the LH reels, some don't.  PM me if you're interested and I'll get you more details.

[RB]

Ugly stick Tiger rods are ok,and a lot of guys use them as double duty tuna/halibut rods. IMO, they don't have enough backbone for the weight halibut fishing sometimes requires.

I've got three Shakespeare Tidewater rods as loaner halibut rods.  If you look around you can find them for under $50.

I will second the Tidewater rods Johns Sporting goods in Everett used to have quite a few he kept in the back and were in the $30-$40 range. Reels can be found on line for budget pricing and can be taken in for repairs if need be and power pro line can be found for a decent price on line as well just my 

[hiway_99]

I was down in Lakewood this weekend screwing around.  We stopped in to the pawn shop and they had a roller tipped Hali rod with a penn gt reel loaded with braid for $69.  It was the pawn shop across the street from aaa pawn.  I don't remember what brand the rod was.

[fishnfur]

Some good leads to follow.  Let us know how you did on both the rod and the fishing!

Hope you get your keeper on the first drop.

[NRA4LIFE]

My backup hali rods are also Shakespeare Tidewaters.  They seem pretty decent for the price.  I picked one up last year at Sportco for around $50 I think.  I believe they are the 5'6" models.  Of course, for another $90 or so you can jump up to Lamis. 

[fishngamereaper]

On a budget, Tidewater, Penn, Okuma for rods. Decent new guy buddy rods for the price. If you look you can find good Lami's for under a $100. For a reel you cant go wrong with a Penn Special Senator 113 or 114. Even the china made ones are good.