Mems-Tony

Very good advice, however I would only buy Tibor or Abel "CORK" drag reels. The Mako are super reels ( carbon-disk) however when they break and they do, there is an 8-11 month waiting list for repairs, No thanks

In the salt I only use loop to loop for all line connections and braided Power pro for backing to insure top performance and total dependability.

Another trick I use for the salt is always start the trip with new fly lines for surface fishing and site fishing, underwater lines don't matter. Soon as you come home and install the new line you won't believe the difference in the old line compared to the new one, the old line after being stretched a thousand times is like an old dish rag.

Buy whatever you want, however if I was starting my saltwater trips over I would only buy Sage rods and Tibor reels with cork only drags........My 2 cents

Carl Blackledge