My proposed combination

[shimrec]

I want to pair the Penn 16VSX with customised Calstar 760M. Is is ok? How about Tuna Stick or any other rod recommendation? Thanks.

[i am not attap seed]

what will u be using the setup for?

a properly configured 760 M is a very deadly piece of equipment.

[shimrec]

Mainly used it for heavy bottom fishing at Asia area. I want to over spec my equipment. Reason? You never know what you going to get.

Current setup I have is Customised Calstar 760L with Accurate 665H(former) and now Ticateam 558. I am very satisfied with 760L sensitive tip which small fish bite/nibble also can feel it easily.

[i am not attap seed]

if u are into customising rods, then there are many choices.

but guess u dont need roller guides. curved butt may be good if u leave your rod in the rod holder most of the time.

talk to a good rod builder about it.

[Makaira]

Hi Shimrec,

A 760M, uncropped, will no doubt be a great bottom bashing cannon. Like its younger brother the 760L, it too will have a flexible tip for good bite detection & a strong butt to put the hurt on the fish; or the angler, which ever comes first. If you go the custom route, my suggestion is not to go for a bent butt as this configuration is more conducive to fighting fish with a gimbal / harness setup.

As for pairing it with a 16VSX, it should be an ok match, but just be aware that you will probably be cranking on low speed most of the time when on a big fish as 2 speed game reels in general do not have much torque on the hi gear. I have many friends who bought pocket rocket game reels like the 16S, the baby Tiagras & even Accurate 6 or 12 for heavy bottom bashing. Most, if not all have reverted back to the Shimano Trinidads / Jiggers or Daiwa Saltiga or Accurate Boss for such duties.

Imho, the question you should ask yourself is do you really need the robustness of a game reel where you usually fish? Is this going to be your main set, or will this set be used only when you go to destinations like Spratly where you deep drop for the monsters, in which case, a 30-sized reel & up will be more appropriate. As is, your current 760L/665H combo should be sufficient to handle most of the fishing action in our region. Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Makaira

[physlo]

shimrec,

If would be better if you can specify where do you intend to fish at. Only then some of us will be able to give you our opinion of the set-up.

Regards
physlo

[Makaira]

This shows what a beast the GF760M really is .........

"Cxxk Cxxw’s giant yellowfin stretched the certified scales to 310.8 pounds. He got the first place award. The Singapore angler got his monster tuna with a sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw ringed circle hook, tied to 100-pound P-Line and 130-pound Izorline Spectra. He fished with an Accurate 50 W reel and a Calstar 760 M rod after a two-hour fight."