Welcome to the forum. I'm not familiar with other brands except Scotty electrics. I too did my research when looking for an electronic downrigger. I found that Scotty has excellent customer service, the downriggers are very easy to maintain and durable. When you drop the downrigger, it uses no energ...

Welcome WombatV! And nice fish!!! 25 pounds is pretty chunky!

Welcome powerhouse7. I have yet to fish for groupers, but from what I hear and read about them they are very strong fish, and the gear must be able to stand up to the test of times. Features I read are that you need a good reel. One that's strong and has a tight drag. Groupers are bottom dwellers. T...

What type of rod and reel is your dad using now?
Since you have the specifications, just get something in those
ratings but better.

Take a look a the Ugly Stik tiger rods. Mount a Penn reel on there that'll hold enough capacity for those tanks. If you are fishing from shore you won't be able to chase them. So heavy duty gear is required with much line.

I always have an ugly stik tiger as my back up rod.
Can't beat it's durability and performance for the price!
Are they redoing those as well? Where did you hear about
them using less quality components?

What type of fish do you want to target and from where?
Shore, jetty, pier, boat?

Never used them but the minnow swirls, if they are like a swimbait or grub, it should work well.

$280

11 if it's not picked yet

There is a large school of stripers from Candlestick to Oyster Pt
right now. The Bay party boats are getting limits.

There are probably 3 types of hooks. 1) Poorly made ones 2) Ones that are made to bend intentionally 3) Ones that are made to not bend #2, the ones that are made to bend could be better than #3 since if the hook does not bend under heavy load, something is bound to snap. Line, hook, gears How large ...

Welcome teal!

That reel should be similar to this one that has been reviews
on the main site.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewquantcbc30.html

That should make a great combo. Did you see this review?
http://www.tackletour.com/reviewquantcbc30.html

I fish for stripers and I would say it depends on how large the stripers in your area reach. I have friends who have hooked 40 pounders with 12 lbs test. I would say stick with what works. I use 12lb mono and it's fine. Just make sure your drag is set right. You're not largemouth bass fishing where ...