halibut fishing reel question

[wildmanoutdoors]

I hate em too. but to each there own. I gave all mine away years ago. Got a couple 340's and 2 Avets and haven't looked back! The 340 is good, but you should try an Avet. A bit more spendy, but man there slick!

Check em out!
http://www.charkbait.com/cs/csrAvet.htm

[lokidog]

The only other thing Ill add is if you don't like the wobble when reeling a Halibut off the bottom with a conventional like all old Penn's have, look into a low profile style or one that has the handle close to the rod blank on a gear reduction. Penn 340 and 345 for low pro. And look at the Avets for high torque gear reduction. Awesome reels those Avets...

Thats what I dont like, so it is "normal"? The "wobble" that is.  I get it now, just have to get used to it I guess. I thought it was me or the rod/reel

They make rods with a recessed + at the end of the butt and fighting belts that have a corresponding wire to grab the groove.  Maybe there is an aftermarket butt cap that cpould be put on.  Fighting belts are nice anyways when hauling up a bunch of weight, helps prevent thigh and other bruising.....   

[pjb3]

Well I decided to just use my spinning reel, if it doesn't work for my first 50-100lb halibut, then will change.
Final answer

[lokidog]

I used to fish for yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi mahi with an old medium large spinning reel.  Put some braid on there and you'll do fine.  After a couple of screamers, you might need to change the drag discs.  At least in the sound there's a bottom.  I hooked a yellowfin that was about five feet long once, we saw it hit my jig about 50 feet from  the boat, he headed for the bottom, two or three thousand feet below.....  I grabbed my spool so I wouldn't lose all my line when he broke off.  At least I got to see him, BTW I had 25 lb mono on it....   

[pjb3]

I just cleaned my spin reel, put 65LB braided line on it. Should be OK!!

[cohoho]

In reality how big of Halibut do you tend to tackle?  Are you using this for other fish too, is it a combo sized reel or set up only for barn doors?  Doubtful your catching day to day 200 plus pounders each and every day here in Washington, so why be set up like your off the coast of Homer, AK.  If you are then-  I want to be your friend.....  Get the reel that feels right, as stated above Conventional reels are designed to be fished up right, not upside down reeling backwoods, not natural.  And the thought of the line, somehow being that close to the fingers with 80-100 bradied and a big fish on the other end.... might be way too close for comfort or even dangerous to the longevity of your fingers...  There are several salt water series spinning reels designed for big fish, that are made with proper drag system, some are better than others of course, but it will cost you alot of money, my dream spinning reel is a VAN STAAL.  I am currently switching to AVET reels for Over Sized Sturgeon and Bottom fish, right and left versions for those that do not like reeling with the factory standard right hand....  I like them- a lightweight package but extremely durable and powerful too.  Best part American made.    But you can't beat or argue with PENN for years and years of use and testimony.  I also went with a bit newer design than the traditional heavy fiberglass Halibut rod and went with Heavy E-blend Jigging rods, that you might think about.  Super lightweight and packed with performance... I can use them for all Ocean bottom fish, tuna and of OS sturgeon and have fun, unlike the traditional broom stick rods that you won't know you got a rock fish on the other end of the line.......  Just some thoughts, go to a bigger store and try the different reels and see what works for you is the most important part..  If your not comfortable then get rid of the reel you got and get the one that you like..

[pjb3]

I'll be using this set up for halibut and sturgeon only, have others for ling and what not. I strickly fish in Puget sound area, they commonly reach 100lbs where I go
I use a medium heavy rod, 7'er.