Originally Posted by pal
You would do well to start with a reliable casting reel at least as good as a Penn 3/0:

For a rod look at a 1-piece, 6-1/2'-7', 30-50 lb.


While good reels for holding a pile of mono or dacron, if you're using braid the senators are way too big and heavy.

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A modern 2/0 sized reel will hold 300+ yds of 60-70 pound braid and weighs ~20 oz vs 30+ oz for the senator.

Can't comment on rods as I prefer shorter rods on the boat.