SPECIFICATIONS
Rod: spinning rod; 10-12' medium-heavy to extra-heavy surf rod; to handle the 8-16oz casting weight of baited snares.
Reel: 6000-8000 size; 50-80lb braided line. Use 60lb–80lb braid for minimal stretch and high strength.
PENN Pursuit V 10ft Heavy Spinning Combo (PURV8000102H)
This combination is $140 at Coastal Farm. They have 2 of them. (The reel by itself is $115).
Rod: 10 feet, 2-piece construction, Heavy power, Moderate-Fast action. Construction: Corrosion-resistant graphite body, stainless steel Dura-Guides, and EVA grips.
Reel: Size 8000 reel featuring a 4+1 sealed stainless steel bearing system, HT-100 drag washers, and a 5.3:1 gear ratio. Drag System: HT-100™ carbon fiber washers offer smooth drag under heavy loads, providing up to 25 lbs (11.3 kg) of drag.Braid Ready: Spool allows braid to be tied directly without backing.
PENN Pursuit V 8000 Reel only: Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 475/50 390/65 345/80
$115
BSS1102XXHFS - XXH 11' Line weight: 40-100 BRAID; Action F (fast). Englunds = $76
PENN Pursuit V 8000 Reel Walmart: $102
Okuma Crab Snare Special Spinning Rod
The rods are two pieces for easy travel and rated for casting 3 to 8 ounces of weight and 20 to 40-pound line on the 11 foot and 12-16 ounces of weight and 20 to 50-pound line on the new 12 foot version.
11': Rod power: H. Rated for casting 3 to 8 ounces of weight and 20 to 40-pound line; $90 at Bi-Mart
12': Rod power: XH. Rated for casting 12-16 ounces of weight and 20 to 50-pound line
Okuma Ceymar 6000 Spinning reel (on sale at Bi-Mart for $43) (MSRP: $69). 6000 size in a 4.5:1 gear ratio. Braid line capacity: 375/30, 255/50. reel with a 375/30 braid capacity (375 yards of 30 lb test braided line); capacity of 255/50 typically refers to 255 yards of 50 lb test braided fishing line.
Okuma Ceymar 6000 Spinning reel (on sale at Bi-Mart for $43) (MSRP: $69). 6000 size in a 4.5:1 gear ratio. Braid line capacity: 375/30, 255/50. reel with a 375/30 braid capacity (375 yards of 30 lb test braided line); capacity of 255/50 typically refers to 255 yards of 50 lb test braided fishing line.
For crabbing
For fishing with a DURASNARE, a 10-12ft medium-heavy to extra-heavy surf rod is recommended to handle the high, 8-16oz casting weight of baited snares. Top choices include the Daiwa Beef Stick, Ugly Stik Bigwater, and Okuma Crab Snare Special, paired with a 6000-8000 size reel and 50-80lb braided line.
Recommended Rod Options:
Best Value/Budget: Daiwa Beef Stick (10-12ft).
Durable Option: Ugly Stik Bigwater.
Specialized Option: Okuma Crab Snare Special (12ft).
High-End Option: Penn Carnage III.
Key Considerations for Durasnare Rod Selection:
Rod Power & Length: Choose a 10 to 12-foot, medium-heavy to extra-heavy surf rod. It must handle the weight of the snare, bait, and added weight (often 6–10oz total) without breaking.
Spinning vs. Casting:
Spinning (Recommended): Easier for beginners to cast heavy bait rigs without backlashing (bird-nesting).
Recommended Models: Daiwa Beef Stick, Ugly Stik Bigwater, or Okuma Longitude.
Line: Use 60lb–80lb braid for minimal stretch and high strength.
While some experienced anglers prefer conventional (casting) rods for precision, a stout spinning setup is ideal for casting Durasnares from jetties or surf.
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https://durasnare.com/#:~:text=We%20recommend%20a%2010%2D12ft,where%20I%20was%20hunched%20over.
We recommend a 10-12ft surf rod medium heavy or extra heavy rating. You want a sturdy rod because you’re tossing a weighted snare with bait which can get quite heavy and has a lot of load on the rod. A frequently used rod for crabbing is the Daiwa Beef Stick, Ugly Stick, or Okuma Crab Special. These rods are about $65-$75 price range. I currently use Daiwa Beef Sticks. I previously used the Okuma Crab Snare Specials. I had to cut off 9” off the handle off the Okuma Crab Snare Special because it was too long at the handle and very uncomfortable to reel where I was hunched over. Went to Home Depot and got a 1” chair end cap to stick at the end of the handle. Now that I modified the length, it’s much more manageable. However the Okumas have been a pain because it’s not ideal for the rod tip experienced about 3 rod tip breaks, and a rod guide insert popped off since I’ve owned them. The Daiwa beef stick is budget friendly and much more sturdy and value. I already replaced all my Okuma rods for Daiwa Beefsticks.
For the reel, use a good quality reel medium to large sized reel. When I first started crabbing, I used cheap reels that ended up stripping the gears, breaking the foot of the reel, the handle or cracking the housing. When you are reeling in, you are reeling in the weight of the crab snare, the bait, possibly multiple crabs, and fighting the current. This puts a lot of strain on the gears which result in putting more torque on the handles, overworking the gears, and friction on the foot of the reel which may snap. We recommend PENN brand reels such as Battles, Pursuits or SSMs. We personally use 650-750SSMs because they are full metal housing and interior gears. We can reel up 4 crabs at a time with no problem and will never strip the gears or break the foot of the reel.
For the line, you should use a minimum of 30-40lb monofilament line or 60-80lb of braided line. I currently use 80lb of Beyond Braid line but it’s a bit overkill so I’d recommend 70lb at most so that gives you a bit more line capacity. You are throwing very heavy weights so be sure you have adequate line to support the tension, otherwise you will end up snapping your line upon casting or retrieval.
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We recommend PENN brand reels such as Battles, Pursuits or SSMs (Spinfisher).
We personally use 650-750SSMs
Penn Spinfisher 650SSm and 750SSm are durable, full-metal saltwater spinning reels featuring 5 shielded stainless steel ball bearings, HT-100 drag systems, and infinite anti-reverse. The 650SSm weighs 22 oz (4.7:1 ratio), while the 750SSm weighs 25.5 oz (4.6:1 ratio), both designed for heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant performance.
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PENN Battle
Battle 6000 - Max Drag: 11.3kg; Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 490/30 390/40 335/50 [$110]
Battle IV 6000: Max Drag 25lbs; Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 490/30 390/40 335/50 [$175]
Battle IV 8000: 30lbs; Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 475/50 390/65 345/80 [$185]
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Pursuit V 6000 Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 490/30 390/40 335/50 $105
Pursuit V 8000: Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 475/50 390/65 345/80 $115
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PENN SSMs (Spinfisher).
Spinfisher 6500 Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 485/30 410/40 335/50 $290
7500: Braid Capacity (yds/lbs): 530/40 440/50 400/65
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80 lb braided
.43mm
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Top spinning reels capable of holding 80lb braid for heavy-duty, offshore, or shark fishing include the Penn Battle IV 8000 (345yds/80lb), Penn Spinfisher VII 7500-10500 (300-600+ yds), and Daiwa BG 8000 (450yds/80lb). These models offer high capacity and strong drag systems (30+ lbs) for targeting large fish.
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UGLY STICK
100 for rod
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$43 for reel at bimart
okuma ceymar spinning 6000
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okuma rod 12'? 90
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coastal
penn v 10'
$140 penn
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Spinning setups (reel underneath) are ideal for beginners, light lures, and windy conditions due to ease of use and reduced backlash. Casting setups (reel on top) offer superior accuracy, power, and, with experience, better distance for heavier lures, making them best for targeting specific, heavy-cover structures.
Key Differences:
Spinning: Generally easier to learn, uses larger guides to handle line "loops" off the stationary spool, handles light line/lures well (e.g., < 1/4 oz).
Casting (Baitcasting): Higher learning curve (prone to "backlash"), allows for precise, long-distance casts, better for heavy line/lures and stronger drag systems
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When to Choose Which:
Use Spinning for: Finesse techniques, light lures, skipping under docks, windy days, and beginner-friendliness.
Use Casting for: Power fishing (jigs, crankbaits), heavy cover, topwater, and when precise accuracy is required.
While spinning reels are better for skipping lures, casting reels provide more control during the retrieve, allowing for faster, more consistent casting.
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Key Characteristics of Heavy (H) Rods:
Purpose: Excellent for heavy-cover, flipping, pitching, and large swimbaits.
Stiffness: High resistance to bending allows for "winching" fish out of cover.
Line/Lure Capacity: Generally rated for heavy line (e.g., 50–80 lb braid) and heavy lures or rigs.
Hooksets: The rigid structure easily drives large hooks into fish.
Comparison: Less flexible than Medium (M) or Medium-Heavy (MH) rods, but more flexible than Extra-Heavy (XH).
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An Extra-Heavy (XH) rod power signifies a very stiff, high-backbone rod designed for maximum lifting power and fighting large, aggressive fish. It requires significant force to bend and is ideal for heavy-duty applications like flipping, punching, or throwing large swimbaits. These rods are best for targeting species like big catfish, musky, or large saltwater fish.
Key Characteristics and Uses of XH Rods:
Stiffness: Offers minimal flex, allowing for superior control over heavy lures (2–10 oz) and immense pressure on hooked fish.
Applications: Specifically suited for heavy-duty techniques, including:
Punching & Flipping: Forcing fish out of thick vegetation or heavy cover.
Big Swimbaits & Glide Baits: Casting large, heavy baits.
Umbrella Rigs: Handling heavy, multi-lure rigs.
Species: Primarily used for large, powerful predators.
Strength: Positioned above Heavy (H) and often below Extra-Extra-Heavy (XXH) in the power spectrum.
An XH rod is essential when you need to prevent fish from diving into cover, necessitating a rod that does not easily bend under pressure.
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BRAID LINE CAPACITY
Braided fishing line offers significantly higher capacity than monofilament due to its superior strength-to-diameter ratio, often allowing 2–3 times more line to fit on the same reel. A 20 lb test braid often matches the diameter of 6 lb mono, allowing 400+ yards of braid on smaller reels designed for less monofilament.