Suggestions for a 40lb conventional reel for 9ft bottom rod

[mvnray]

I have been doing some research on what reel to get. I'm thinking about getting a accuplate jigmaster 500 or shimano torium 30 but can't decide. I prefer star drags and something not too bulky. Any suggestions will be appreciated, Thanks

[LINESIDER]

u gonna be casting this rod/reel combo, or just dropping baits??? whats the budget looking like???
also u want your line to be the weakest link between u n your fish.. no need to break a rod or strip gears out..I fish 30# mono an my JM with drag locked down my line still wont snap.
What rod do you have for this reel? does it have all the guides already? if u toss heavy/stiff line your gonna need that first (stripper/collector) guide to be larger.. It the reel sits up high, your gonna want that guide to sit taller.. all this is only if you need to cast the line..

[Poseidon10/31]

Why are you fishing a 9' rod for your bottom rod?

[mvnray]

Thanks for the advice LINESIDER. Im going to be casting this out off the jetty mostly. i would normally use 30lb but the jetty has tons of rocks that i lose nice fish occasionally due to line getting cut off off from rocks or fish diving into the rocks. The rod is a custom rod built from anglers bait & tackle. I got it for my birthday so im not sure what blank and stuff are on it but its pretty similar to a Crowder LB90h but a bit more stiff . The first guide is a slightly larger than the others and the reel sits about 27in away from the first guide. Im mostly going to use it for muttons. My budget is around 225 or less.

[HJared]

I have a torium 30. Its awesome. Just got a jigmaster the other day. Same use as you on 9'. Where do u get the acuplate?

Anyway torium has a lot more drag and obvi smoother . Has that shimano feel. Its easy to cast. Jigmaster can cast farther for sure though I only need a 4-6 0z weight wheras I been using 8 on the torium. The torium might b more versatile since you have the extra drag it can help you for biger fish if you target some monsters. For most all muttons though in my opinion the jigmaster does the job.
I'm definately no expert though.

[mvnray]

You can usually get the accuplates off ebay and they have other penn reels with accuplates like the squidder and senators but perhaps some tackle shops may have them but rarely. Thanks for your info on the reels.

[gruntking]

i like casting 40lb line but i only fish it on my 4/0 only rod i'll toss a 8oz on also one of the lightest rods i'll bottom fish in the keys ive never had a mutton get away from me on it even when they get in the rocks they still come right out

[kblue]

GK

what test # of leader line are you using to catch mutton in key bridges?

[gruntking]

50 60 depends on the baits i have

[LINESIDER]

Try the daiwa saltist. It's Level drag but claims to have a good free sooo.