Free: Contests & Raffles.
Forget the bear spray, use wasp killer. Concentrated delivery stream, 10X the product, and only $3.00 on sale.
lamiglas BFC 66 XH Is a great halibut rod. I have a Shimano TLD 20 on it. The rod should run you around 100.00 and you can get the real used off e-bay under 100. these two together will handle anything you run into off our coast. If you want to spend a little more I would get a 2 speed reel. Penn Internationals can't be beat, but they are going to be pretty spendy.
I used an ugly stick for quite a while and liked it, but the braided line finally ate through the guides.
Another vote for Lami's. I have two and they can haul up anything I hook onto.Also look at the Okuma Cedros and Andros rods. They have alot of back bone to them.Im a fan of Avet reels. a MXL 6/4 will get the job done nicely.