I am new to this saltwater fishing offshore. I would like to get my own pole and reel. Especially if I go on one of those tuna chunking trip out of rudee charters. I have been reading the site Penn 320 gti or 330 are good reels but I can not find a good suitable pole. I went to gander mtn. and the reels were there but medium action poles. I want to put 80 lb. test on to be ready for that big one that tighten the line and not snap off. Any comments? Thanks.

If you are planning on "Tuna Chunking, don't plan on a Penn 320/330. Plan on something along the lines of a TLD 30 or Triton. That will serve you much better. For a rod you want something along the line of a 6'-6.5' 50-80 lb rod with a good stout reel seat. The Penn international series of roods are good as well as St Croix, many others. Leave the levelwind stuff for inside the bay & plan on a workout if you hook up.

All my stuff is Penn internationals on custom rods but that is pretty pricey for one trip.

By the way, go see Bishop of Bishops bait & tackle over in Newport News. He'll get you right & not sell youy a bunch of stuff you don't need.

330's are great striper trolling reels, Penn 6/0 are the way to go when you go for Tuna.

Thanks for the input gentlemen. I will take the recommended advise for both inshore and offshore. Latest news report I just saw. A party boat at New York Harbor was ran over by a barge. lost a couple anglers. The boat name said Capt. DAVE on the side. sea wolf. Just thought I would put that out there. Tight Lines and again Thanks