Able to withstand Barra and Snapper?

[azzure]

Berkley Dropshot Combo... Awesome Stuff $115

[Steve B]

Mate, I am genuinly trying to help you here, $150 rod,reel,braid combo WILL NOT do you any favours when trying to catch and land big barra in QLD impoundments. They will break. I have seen good quality gear destroyed by these fish. I would hate to hear that you lost a fish of a lifetime because of sub standard gear. You wouldn't have to spend much more. probably $250 should get you a respectable combo. (or cheaper if you find a second hand outfit)

Things to remember :
- putting 30-50lb braid (which you will need) will cause damage to the internals of cheap reels. cheap bearings, cheap drags with the forces applied from these fish.
- You might get away with one or two fish, but they (reel) wont last long. That reel in the link at $35 bucks wouldnt even survive the catfish!!! Sorry.
Rods- actually some of the cheaper ones are really good and heavy for the job. the problem is casting them all day, if your trolling OK.

Have you considered the lures, leader, upgraded trebbles etc..this is not a cheap excersise either.

Again, I am not trying to discourage you, in fact quite the opposite, I would love to hear you have caught big barra. I just dont like seeing people under prepare and then get dissapointed. I understand budget problems (I have 2 young kids and 2 mortgages!) I reckon most of the serious barra fishos would agree here, try and save the extra and get the right gear the first time. If your coming up this way, I can lend you a combo that will suit if you really get stuck.

cheers steve

[NAGG]

6 solid days of casting & catching average size barra .... saw 1 Shimano Barra Raider rod fail ( grips) , 1 Shimano Chronarch SF fail ( bearing) & 1 Daiwa Zillion fail (pinion gear) + braid failure x 2
This is all reasonable to high quality gear! .... which borders on new or little use ...... Its just the stress on the gear is immense .... be it fish related or the repetition involved (1000 cast days)

so what Steve B & others have said is very true ..... specially with regard to big fish ....... but repetitive casting & average fish will also take its toll

Nagg